This article is part of a series published on our LinkedIn account by guest writers. Today's article was written by Julia Schmidt, Executive Vice Chair IMA Global on 8th September 2025.
“You are the leader behind the leader.”
This is a sentence I wrote in a recent article about modern leadership, click here to read more. It is one I believe with all my heart. Too often, we think of leadership as something reserved for people with titles like CEO or Director. But what I have learned through experience, reflection, and growth is that leadership is not about hierarchy. Leadership is about how we show up, how we influence, and how we move things forward.
If you have ever kept a project on track, brought calm to a stressful meeting, or helped your team gain clarity in a moment of uncertainty, you have led. These are not small contributions. They are strategic, high-level leadership behaviors that make a real difference.
In our profession, we are more than tech-savvy organizers. We are co-pilots and sometimes pilots helping to navigate complexity and ensure progress. We translate vision into action, connect people across silos, protect culture, anticipate risks, and sustain momentum. This is leadership in action. Not defined by job titles, but by courage, clarity, and responsibility.
My invitation to you is simple: notice the ways you already lead, even if they are quiet or behind the scenes. Reflect on what kind of leader you want to become — and how you are showing up today. Big or small, visible or subtle, your actions shape the organizations and the people around you.
This is also why I am proud that our 51st International Annual Conference, taking place in Hasselt, Belgium, on 17 October 2025, carries the theme Effective Leadership. Together, we will explore what leadership means in today’s world of change, AI, and reinvention — and how we, as management assistants, can grow as leaders in our own right. Click here to register.
Leadership isn’t something we wait to be given. It’s something we claim. Every day.
Stay tuned — we will soon be sharing many “Leadership in Action” stories from our IMA members.
This article is penned by Julia Schmidt, Executive Vice Chair of IMA Global.
The Guest Writer series features contributions from IMA members worldwide, showcasing the diverse experiences and expertise of management assistants within our network. Each piece offers unique perspectives, practical advice, and personal reflections from professionals in the field. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
