Rethinking: Why Leadership Is No Longer About Titles

For the longest time, leadership was defined by titles. The higher you climbed, the more influence you supposedly had. But I don’t think that’s the full story anymore, in fact, I’m seeing something very different happening.  

In today’s world, influence isn’t just about where you sit on an organisation chart - it’s about how you shape conversations, how you bring people together and how you help businesses navigate complexity. Those of us in communications, marketing and government affairs have always been deeply connected to people - customers, employees, policymakers and the public - we’ve always played a role in shaping trust and guiding decision-making.  

And more and more businesses are starting to not only recognise that, but to appreciate and actively seek out those with the ability to engage, inspire and mobilise others - regardless of their formal position. This shift reflects a broader understanding that leadership is not confined to a title or a specific role but is instead a set of actions and behaviours that can be demonstrated at any level of an organisation.

People who can effectively communicate and connect with others, who can build relationships and trust, who can articulate and embody the values of their organization and who can influence and persuade without relying on authority, are increasingly valued. These soft skills are becoming hard currency in the modern workplace, as they drive engagement and enable organizations to adapt in a rapidly changing world.

Influence today is about connection, not control

I’ve worked with incredible leaders who don’t have big titles but are the ones who make things happen. They’re the people who bring clarity to chaos, who align different perspectives and who quietly ensure that organizations are making the right decisions before challenges even arise.  

And I see this across so many areas:  

• The communicators who help leadership show up with authenticity, not just polish
• The marketers who build brands that actually mean something, not just sell things
• The government affairs teams that don’t just react to policies but help shape the conversations before decisions are even made.  

Influence today is about trust, relationships and the ability to connect people around a shared vision.

Crisis isn’t a one-off event - It’s a mindset shift 

There was a time when communicators were mostly seen as the people you called when something went wrong. But that’s not how I see it anymore.  
Crisis management has evolved significantly. It's no longer just about damage control, it's about proactive engagement and the continuous building of trust. Today's communicators are strategic advisors, not just the clean-up crew. They're involved in every aspect of the organisation, from internal culture to external reputation and they play a crucial role in both preventing crises and navigating through them when they do occur.

The same goes for marketers and government affairs professionals. They're not just executing tasks, they're integral to the strategic direction of their organisations. They anticipate trends, understand the pulse of the public and help steer the company in a direction that aligns with societal values and expectations.

So where does this leave us?

More and more companies are realizing that communicators, marketers and government affairs professionals aren’t just supporting functions but strategic partners. 

So, the challenge isn’t convincing anyone, it’s more about embracing where things are headed and making sure we step into the opportunities in front of us.  
Because leadership is evolving, it’s no longer about control, it’s about influence - the kind that’s built on trust, foresight and the ability to align people toward a common purpose. It's not about commanding from the top, it's about inspiring from within. 

A call for discussion 

How can we better recognise and elevate the influence of professionals who are shaping business success without formal authority? What steps can companies take to ensure that expertise - not just titles - is valued in leadership decisions? Let’s explore how we can collectively drive this mindset shift within our industries.

Authored by Jessica Schroeder, BASF Head of Corporate Communications & Government Relations Market Area Middle East & Egypt
Published on 25 March 2025