Titles Matter

I like titles, yes I do; I like titles, how about you? Ok, I’ve been on both sides of this argument. I’ve been the employee trying to convince my boss I need a promotion (and therefore a bigger title), and I’ve been the boss trying to convince the employee that titles really don’t matter (and perhaps ultimately trying to save salary dollars). Being on both sides of the issue, I can appreciate the conflicting viewpoints. If you look at a title in terms of power and as a means of gaining respect, you may be going about it for the wrong reasons. Respect can be achieved or lost at any level. Some feel entitled to that bigger position – they’ve put in their time and it’s the next logical step.

One of the questions I ask potential Executive MBA students is “what are your reasons for obtaining an MBA”? Many respond with, “I want to be a Vice President”. While there’s nothing wrong with that response, it’s the reason behind the response that matters. Too many times people see that as the ultimate goal, perhaps the highest position they can achieve, especially if they don’t consider themselves to be C-suite material. There’s not much thought to what the position actually means, what their impact will be or even the company or industry. It’s like climbing a ladder in the clouds; you have no idea where you’re headed or what you’ll find when you get there. You simply know you’re moving up and that’s what you’re supposed to do.

When I first started out as a Director in Healthcare, I really didn’t know what that meant. Having worked for mainly small, privately owned companies, I was taken aback by the reverence in which the Director title was held. I quickly learned why people were so title driven; many had been aspiring to the next level for years, whether it was that first supervisor title, manager, director or above. Titles actually meant something and there was a clear hierarchy. I too found myself dreaming of that coveted Vice President role. When I was promoted to Executive Director, I could see the Vice President light at the end of the tunnel – only to find that there was one more stop along the way – Assistant Vice President. Dang!

Well, I’ll spare you the suspense – I never made it, which gets me to the point of this post and why titles matter. When I transitioned out of healthcare, that “Director” title afforded me the opportunity to apply for positions at that level or above, across all industries. Being purely focused on moving up in my current company, I never really thought about the value of that title from a commodity standpoint.

So, it turns out that titles really do matter, unless you work at a bank where everyone’s a Vice President, even the intern. Sorry banker friends, but I had to throw that one in there. I better check on my accounts…