Why I Stopped Waiting for a Title to Lead
How I learned that leadership is measured by influence, not authority.
Why I Stopped Waiting for a Title to Lead
For a long time, I believed leadership was something that came with a promotion, a title, or direct reports.
Like many administrative professionals, I spent years focused on supporting others. I measured success by how effectively I helped executives, teams, and organizations achieve their goals. While I loved the work, I sometimes overlooked the fact that I was developing leadership skills along the way.
Over the course of more than fifteen years supporting executives, I have planned meetings, managed priorities, coordinated projects, onboarded leaders, assisted with succession planning, and partnered across organizations to solve problems. What I didn't recognize early on was that many of those responsibilities required influence, strategic thinking, and leadership long before anyone formally called it that.
One of the best pieces of career advice I have ever received is that leadership does not require a title. Leadership is demonstrated through initiative, influence, and the ability to make a positive impact. Looking back, I realize how much that advice changed my perspective. Instead of waiting to be given authority, I started focusing on how I could create value, build relationships, and help move work forward.
As I gained experience, I also became increasingly aware of the misconceptions surrounding administrative professionals. There is often an assumption that administrators only provide support or that leadership requires managing people directly. I have seen firsthand how inaccurate that perception can be. Some of the most effective professionals I know lead through trust, collaboration, and expertise rather than organizational hierarchy.
Another challenge facing our profession today is the belief that technology and artificial intelligence will eventually replace administrative work. I see it differently. Technology can automate tasks, but it cannot replace judgment, relationship-building, organizational awareness, or the ability to anticipate needs and bring people together around a common goal. Those are uniquely human strengths. The opportunity for administrative professionals is not to compete with technology but to leverage it so they can contribute at an even more strategic level.
What motivates me most is helping people recognize their own potential. Throughout my career, I have mentored administrative professionals and advocated for their inclusion in important conversations. I want others to see what I eventually learned myself: our value is not defined by our job titles. It is defined by the impact we make, the trust we earn, and the relationships we build.
If I could give one piece of advice to women entering this profession, it would be this: Keep learning, and do not underestimate your voice. Build your expertise. Stay curious. Raise your hand for opportunities that feel challenging. Some of the most rewarding experiences in my career came from stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing responsibilities I wasn't completely sure I was ready for. Growth often begins there.
Today, I still believe leadership is about service. It is about helping others succeed, creating clarity when things are uncertain, and leaving people better than you found them. I have learned that leadership is not something we achieve someday when we receive a certain title. It is something we choose to practice every day.
And that realization changed everything.
