Written by: Amira El Tohamy
We often mistake titles for leadership, believing that the words printed on a business card define influence and competence. Manager, Director, Head of Department, Chief Officer, even CEO, all seem to carry authority on their own, but do they really reveal who is capable of leading?
Early in my career, I used to be impressed by titles, assuming they were evidence of exceptional skill, wisdom, and experience. But the more people I worked with, the more that belief began to fade.
I met professionals with impressive titles who did not seem to have the depth or ability to fulfill them. Their authority was formally imposed, but it rarely inspired others or left any meaningful impact. At the same time, I met colleagues with average titles whose influence far exceeded their position. They carried teams forward with initiative, creativity, agility, an eagerness to learn, the generosity of sharing knowledge, and the courage to lift others up.
I have also seen people who make it a point to attend events only to hand out their business cards like confetti to show off their titles, even to individuals they already know. Others make sure to announce their lengthy titles loudly at every opportunity, whether the moment calls for it or not. Far from commanding respect, these displays often left me with a sense of pity and a strong internal belief that the louder the title, the quieter the substance behind it.
Here, I realized that titles and true leadership are not the same. A title can hand you power, but it cannot hand you wisdom. It can command obedience, but it cannot build trust or earn respect. Leadership is never guaranteed by position. It is revealed in action, in presence, and in the ability to lift others.
Working across various industries during my years in the agency world exposed me to different mindsets and leaders at every level. It taught me that competence does not always sit at the top of the chart and that real influence often comes from genuine and grounded people.
The leaders who influenced me were never the ones with the most impressive titles. They were the ones who helped others see possibilities in themselves they had not recognized before. They nurtured growth, built trust, and inspired people to rise to levels of capability they had not imagined they could reach.
Looking back, I realize how easy it is to attach our worth to titles. We forget that titles fade quickly. What lasts is the impression and impact we leave behind and the stories people tell about us when we are not in the room.
So let us always remember that leadership is not about the seat you occupy. It is about the space you create for others to thrive.
