Buzzwords and flashy designations often steal the limelight, even in an industry where creativity and thinking outside the box is meant to be celebrated. So, it’s time to peel back the layers and ask ourselves: do our job titles really capture the essence of our contributions? In an increasingly dynamic creative landscape, where adaptability and passion can outshine any label, let’s explore why clinging too tightly to titles may limit our true potential.
In this special #JobsMonth feature, I’ve brought together the insights of three creative leaders from the Creativepool community—Becci Nadin, Deputy Creative Director at TBWA/MCR, and the dynamic duo Lottie Marriner and James Clarke, Creative Directors at bandstand—to delve into how we can reframe our thinking about our professional identities and why we should see them more as tools than as trophies.
The Allure and Limitations of Titles
“Show me someone who doesn’t love a promotion and I’ll show you a liar. Myself included - guilty as charged. I love giving them and I love getting them. They’re an email signature of service for going above and beyond. A sometimes slightly overdue thank you that matters. And it’s OK that it matters. But. There’s always a but.”
Becci Nadin kicks things off with a candid confession about her love for promotions. In her eyes, titles act as both recognition and a symbol of achievement—a way to say “we’d be lost without you.” Yet, as she points out, these labels can be deceiving. Just as we might boast a title in the workplace, we rarely carry the same official weight in our personal lives.
Aaron Kandia
“A title should be taken with a pinch of salt. A bit like you outside of work. You’re not officially ‘chief of operations’ at home. Yet you wear several hats including financial director, admin assistant, strategist, and global director of dishwasher unloading and planning days out.”
This juxtaposition is powerful. It reminds us that while we can celebrate our professional milestones, our real lives are a patchwork of varied roles that extend far beyond the neat confines of a job title. In today’s fast-evolving creative industry, the skills we hone on the job are often the very ones we deploy at home and in our communities.
Embracing Multi-Faceted Roles
At TBWA/MCR, the ethos is clear: focus on what you do best but never be afraid to roll up your sleeves when needed. “At TBWAMCR, we’re no jack of all trades. We focus on what we’re good at. Disruptive work that works. But when the going gets tough, the tough roll up their sleeves and do what needs doing.”
For Becci, this means that even when she returned as Deputy Creative Director—a role that on paper might appear as a step sideways rather than upward—the real victory was aligning with a company that feels like home.
“A title is sneaky short-term affirmation and joy. Which is allowed.”
— Becci Nadin, TBWA/MCR
Her narrative is steeped in the idea that while a new title can provide a short-term jolt of affirmation, it’s the internal drive, passion, and willingness to contribute in multifaceted ways that truly count. “I always say to people who start their career with us, just be hungry. We can teach you absolutely everything else. But hunger is a non-negotiable. It shows you give a shit, and you can’t teach that.”
This philosophy is not only about internal validation—it’s a strategic approach to career development. Instead of fixating on titles as the ultimate indicator of success, it’s the underlying qualities of passion, commitment, and versatility that companies value most. And when you bring that hunger to every project, every pitch, every creative brief, you’re already ahead of the game.
The Bandstand Perspective: A Shift in Focus
While Becci celebrates the pragmatic value of titles as both milestones and motivators, Lottie Marriner and James Clarke at bandstand offer a complementary yet distinct perspective. “Okay. To be super clear. As we type this article about why you should stop caring about the job title, we have ourselves just had a title change. So, we’re not going to say that they don’t matter (sorry, guys), but they are not everything. Not by a long shot!”
Their straightforward introduction immediately sets the tone: titles can be useful markers, but they’re merely one piece of a larger puzzle. Across the creative industries—and even spilling over into adjacent fields like tech—the meaning of a job title can vary wildly. They point out that in some companies, especially those that cling too tightly to hierarchical roles, titles can become constraining.
“Instead of overly caring about outward stuff like job titles, we can fire on every cylinder if we care more about what we as an agency do and make instead.”
— Lottie Marriner & James Clarke, bandstand
“Some titles can be hampering – particularly the more junior ones. They can force you into a lane or undersell your output, and make you think you don’t have a voice or seat at the table. (A major creativity killer.)”
This insight resonates deeply in an era where the only constant is change. Rather than letting rigid titles define one’s professional identity, there is growing recognition that a more holistic view of one’s skills and contributions is needed. As Lottie and James observe, companies that foster a culture of respect, support, and creative collaboration are far more likely to empower their teams to push boundaries and innovate.
Culture Over Credentials
One of the most compelling arguments from both sides is the emphasis on company culture over mere titles. Becci argues that when a business neglects its internal values in favour of flashy titles, it risks losing sight of what really matters. “The culture at TBWAMCR is to always ask why.
So before deciding how much it matters, ask why it matters. If it matters for personal growth and being recognised for what you’re doing, great. If it matters because of how it looks to the outside world, you can end up neglecting internal values.”
David Riley
Lottie and James echo this sentiment by stressing that a supportive work environment is far more important than a prestigious title. “Surely it is better to work at a company where you are valued, respected, championed and supported – where the work is fulfilling and challenging and exciting – than to have a sexy, shiny job title at a soulless company where you want to flush your head down the toilet every morning?”
Their words capture a timeless truth: the benefits of being in an environment that nurtures creativity, encourages collaboration, and stands by its people far outweigh the superficial allure of an impressive job title. In today’s unpredictable market, where projects shift rapidly and challenges arise at a moment’s notice, it’s the culture that provides the support and resilience needed to navigate those moments.
A Broader Reflection on Growth and Recognition
At TBWA/MCR, the emphasis is on joining a team where creative freedom and alignment of values matter more than any piece of paper that certifies a job title. Becci’s reflection on her career journey highlights a crucial point: it’s not the title itself that builds a legacy—it’s what you do in that role.
Similarly, bandstand’s approach underlines the importance of a nurturing work environment. They remind us that, in times of crisis or rapid change, the strength of a team is measured by its unity and mutual support rather than its hierarchical structure. “When the timelines move and the budget gets squeezed and the brief pivots and the team halves from unexpected illness. When that happens, you want to be in a place where you all pull together and the people around you have got your back.”
This broader reflection is particularly relevant in today’s market, where industries are constantly evolving. The future of work is less about fixed roles and more about the ability to adapt, collaborate, and innovate. In many ways, letting go of our obsession with titles frees us to pursue these values more fully.
Navigating the Future
In rethinking the value of titles, both TBWA/MCR and bandstand present us with a roadmap for navigating our careers in a way that prioritises substance over status. They challenge us to focus on our skills, our contributions, and the culture we build together. Whether you’re a rising star or a seasoned professional, the call is clear: be hungry, be adaptable, and never lose sight of what truly matters.
Zara Picken
For those early in their careers, this means embracing every opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute—even if your title doesn’t yet reflect the full scope of your capabilities. For established professionals, it’s a reminder that the impact you make goes far beyond the confines of a job title. Your legacy is defined by the work you do, the teams you inspire, and the creative risks you take.
Conclusion
While job titles can provide short-term gratification and serve as useful markers along our professional journeys, they are ultimately secondary to the passion, creativity, and support that fuel our success. As Becci Nadin from TBWA/MCR aptly puts it, it’s the hunger and the drive that can never be taught that make the difference. Meanwhile, Lottie Marriner and James Clarke from bandstand encourage us to build a culture where every team member feels valued and empowered—because when challenges arise, it’s that sense of belonging and shared purpose that will see us through.
In the end, our careers are defined not by the labels we accumulate, but by the impact we have and the creative energy we bring to the table. So, while it’s perfectly natural to celebrate a promotion or a shiny new title, let’s also remember that our true worth lies in our ability to adapt, innovate, and support one another. After all, in the rapidly evolving world of creative work, it might just be time to stop caring so much about titles and start caring more about what we do.