I said I was coming back to the Titles thought and now that I’ve had a few days to think it over, here’s where I’m going to plant my flag.
Here’s the readers digest of what I’m talking about. Closing session of HRevolution, Laurie said that titles were important and that we should grab those VP, C suite titles.
Someone correct me if that’s an incorrect paraphrasing, I wasn’t at the session because I needed a nap. However I did get talk to Laurie briefly the next morning on the way to ORD.
Here’s my current thinking. I don’t care what your title is, I really don’t. You can be CHRO, SVP HR, Director, Manager, Administrator, or Chief Ninja for all I care. Are you responsible for key functions in the company? Do you fulfill your responsibilities and work to drive the success of the company? Are you a leader and an influencer?
I wholeheartedly agree that we should step up and take responsibility, grow and learn about the business. If we sit back and wait for someone to offer a promotion to us, odds are it’s not going to happen. You have to be more than the title you are given.
On the flip side, Laurie suggested that sometimes people don’t pay attention to those without a high-level title like Director, Manager, or VP. In order to influence we need those titles. Maybe it’s the size of a company or the culture of a company that drives that mentality. I can see where she’s coming from on that thought but my gut still pulls me to still not care.
Take on responsibilities that aren’t in your job description, matter of fact why not toss that thing out the window.
My job title is HR Administrator. I do far more for my company that HR Administration. The job description I was given on day one doesn’t entirely encompass everything I do today. Big deal. My boss and her boss see the value I offer the company and because of the drive I have to, wait for it, be more than the title I was given, I’ve taken on more responsibility, received recognition from the C suite for my contributions and been offered opportunities to grow.
So, flag firmly planted on the not caring side. Works for me in my company and the people I interact with, how about you?
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Hi, April. I agree with Laurie that titles do matter, but so does Company. Here’s my story: I was a HR Director at a small org that no one in my network had heard of. No big deal. I could have been the HR Director, VP of HR, or anything that I wanted because titles were not important at this company. I had a lot of influence within my network and my company. My next (current) job was Sr. HR Rep for a large, global org. Even though my salary is the same and my job functions are different (no benefits or worker’s comp for me!), my company name AND title seem to attract lots of attention with the assumption of influence. I think that my title AND org with the superior work to back it up will bring similar or more influence than my title did at my last job. We’ll see….
April, A long overdue visit to your blog….my apologies. I’m with you on this one in so many ways. I have been called a range of things (both professionally and unprofessionally!) but it never really made any difference to my performance or ability. If you are adding value, you are adding value.
I do think there are certain corporate cultures where titles are important, the same ones where the size of office, parking space, number of assistants etc are important. They are also a lot of the companies that went BOOM in the last 18 months. My heart bleeds……..
April, I think I know where Laurie was heading in her talk and there are parts of it I agree with. That said, I am more in line with your point. To be honest with you, I am not sure I can recite the titles of many of my closest HR networking peer but I know which have the pull needed to be a success in their jobs and which don’t. Some are HR Generalists, some Managers, etc. One VP I know couldn’t spell HR if you spotted him the H.
At first glance, titles are important but it is what is inside the head that matters.
I agree whole-heartedly!! If titles were truthful, most people would have “Director of Looking Busy untill 5 pm”.
Many Years ago, I was the Marketing and Public Relations Director for the 4th Largest City in Utah, as well as for the State Chamber – In all honesty it was a $5.00 title for a .50 Cents job.
Sure, it got me to some really great meetings, balls, and gee met some very influential people.. but the salary? the actual job duties.. well.. but Darn it Does look good on a resume
April, I lean more toward your take on this. I agree that in some orgs titles do get you that credibility whether it’s deserved or not. In my experience I was brainwashed to think titles matter. Guess what, at the end of the day I was laid off BECAUSE OF THE TITLE I HAD. My performance didn’t save me. Over 220 HR pros in my company lost jobs that day.
At any rate, since then I’ve been a Regional Director of HR and now a business partner. You know what? It doesn’t matter. I give 110% at work no matter what they call me. Because of this, I get noticed for the good work I do. That is what gets me more opportunity and responsibility.
And, to John’s point, on social media, do titles really matter? Does experience? Not necessarily. If they did then HRevolution would not exist. I definitely don’t look up titles of my online colleagues. So, I’m planting my flag by yours. Oh, and there is only one title I have that REALLY means a hill of beans to me…..MOMMY. That’s the #1.
@MattyMat – Can I add that title to my business cards?
@Karen – What do you put on your resume as your responsibilities?
@Trish Your second paragraph, AMEN! That’s my point!
Love this article. Working at a small ad agency, what you wrote wrings very true. Good ideas, problem solving, and leadership win. People don’t care about titles in this place, they care about who can get things done.
Hey Ted: if “what you wrote wrings very true”, I sincerely hope you’re not a copywriter – otherwise you’re destined to stay in a small agency.
As for job titles – I saw a pitch set last week from a “Senior Managing Director”. Who on earth needs to put “Senior” in front of “Managing Director” – except someone who is neither.