This article is part of a series published on our LinkedIn account by guest writers. Today's article was written by Menekşe Ahbab on 24th February 2026.

At IMA, we believe leadership is not defined by title but by awareness, responsibility, and impact. In this edition of Leadership in Action, Menekşe Ahbab from Türkiye offers a thoughtful and deeply reflective perspective on influence, proximity to decision-making, and the evolving nature of leadership in a complex world.

Her insights remind us that some of the most meaningful leadership happens through clarity, alignment, and quiet navigation.

Where Strategy, People, and Priorities Converge

My name is Menekşe Ahbab. I am based in Istanbul and have spent over three decades in Executive Assistant roles, working in close partnership with senior leadership. Alongside my professional career, I am pursuing a PhD in Communication Sciences, focusing on leadership communication and organizational sustainability. I also teach during the spring term at Marmara University in the Office Management and Executive Assistance program.

What I value most about this profession is the perspective it offers. The Executive Assistant role stands at the intersection of people, priorities, and decisions. It provides a direct view into how strategy is shaped, how tensions are managed, and how leadership is practiced in real time. It is a position that continually deepens one’s understanding of organizations, people, and oneself.

The Nature of Influence Without Authority

Influence without formal authority is inherent in this role. While rarely the decision-maker, you work very close to decisions. This proximity creates a form of influence that is subtle, relational, and often invisible.

For me, influence begins with listening. Listening not only to what is said, but also to priorities, pressures, emotional undercurrents, and signals that are easy to overlook.

Effective influence is less about asserting opinions and more about creating clarity. It is reflected in how information is framed, how complexity is simplified, how risks are surfaced, and how choices are positioned.

Over time, I have come to see influence less as persuasion and more as alignment. It involves aligning attention, priorities, and perspective. This is where assistants contribute to leadership in a quiet yet meaningful way.

How My Understanding of Leadership Evolved

Earlier in my career, I associated leadership with knowledge and authority. Leaders were expected to know the most, decide the most, and project certainty. With experience, that understanding evolved. As John C. Maxwell stated, “Leadership is influence.” This idea reshaped my perspective.

In a world defined by rapid knowledge flows and AI as an everyday cognitive partner, leadership is no longer about knowing more. Leadership increasingly rests on responsibility. Responsibility for decisions, consequences, and impact.

Leadership in Today’s Complex Environment

Leadership today extends beyond performance metrics. It is measured by awareness, responsibility, and legacy. Not only through financial outcomes, but also through human, social, and organizational effects.

Leadership now feels less like control and more like navigation. It involves reducing noise, protecting focus, sustaining clarity, and maintaining direction amid constant change.

For Executive Assistants, this terrain is deeply familiar. We translate, filter, align, anticipate, stabilize, and often absorb pressure so that leaders can maintain perspective.

Growing Into Leadership

Assistants have always been practicing leadership. What is changing is not the role, but our growing awareness of its impact.

Leadership was never simply given to me. It is something I grew into through proximity, responsibility, reflection, and awareness.

 This article is penned by Menekşe Ahbab.

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.