Fake It Till You Make It

In this week’s edition of The HR Diary, I stumbled upon a hilarious TED Talk by Chris Duffy that got me thinking about how we present ourselves in the professional world. Picture this: he updated his status and proudly announced himself as "CEO of LinkedIn"—because why not?

At first, his network erupted with congratulations. “Congratulations on your new role!” “You deserve it!” Like he’d just won an Oscar! They were all ready to throw him a virtual party with confetti and everything! It was like the ultimate “fake it till you make it” moment, but on a corporate level!

Fast forward a year, and LinkedIn sent him a job anniversary notification, honoring his “dedicated service” as CEO. But wait—before he could bask in the glory, a quality assurance team member at LinkedIn reached out with a gentle reminder about “status inaccuracies.” Oops! I mean, who knew being a CEO required actual qualifications? Talk about a twist.

“It’s great to have dreams, but let’s keep our titles real!”

So, What Are the Lessons Here?

1. Be Authentic: Just like in life, being genuine in your professional persona is key. It’s great to have dreams, but let’s keep our titles real! . Nothing beats being genuine—after all, you wouldn’t want to be caught pretending to be the CEO when you’re still figuring out your job description !Unless you’re planning to run for office, maybe skip the "CEO" title if you’re not actually running a company!
2. Check Your Status: Before you hit that “update” button, think twice. Just like you wouldn’t want to accidentally wear mismatched shoes to a meeting, make sure your status is accurate. You never know who’s watching.
3. The Power of Networking: People are quick to celebrate accomplishments, but it’s essential to build a network based on honesty. No one wants to be the last to find out their friend is not actually the CEO! Let’s ensure we’re building connections based on genuine accomplishments rather than inflated titles!
4. The Power of Perception: This story shows just how quickly perceptions can change. It’s funny how quickly people jump on the bandwagon of success. A title can create an illusion, but it’s the real work and integrity behind it that counts.
5. Keep It Real: Remember, exaggerating your status can lead to awkward conversations later. Just like trying to explain why you’ve been eating instant noodles for a week—eventually, someone’s going to ask questions!
6. Celebrate Achievements Honestly: Whether you’re a CEO or just starting your career, every role has its value. It’s nice to dream big, but remember to celebrate your actual achievements. Instead of fabricating titles, how about sharing that time you successfully navigated a tough project or helped a colleague? Celebrate your real achievements, no matter how small. After all, even the smallest roles contribute to the bigger picture—just like the unsung hero in a Nollywood movie!

In the end, let’s strive to be the best versions of ourselves—titles aside. After all, it’s not about who you pretend to be; it’s about the impact you make

How important are titles to you?

Have you ever experienced a situation where perception didn’t match reality?

Have you ever felt the pressure to inflate your professional persona? Share your thoughts!

Until next time,

HR Tales to Tell with Retta!!!

?? Like, Comment, and Share with your friends!