Title is Everything…Maybe!
On July 15, 2019 my first book, Everything You Know about Organizational Behavior You Learned in High School, was published. I am now officially an author. For the first time in 19 years, I am performing a new role with a new title. I am no longer a Vice President, Human Resources with all of the notoriety and cache that goes along with the title. I am now an author.Ta-Daaa! I accomplished something that I never dreamed I would ever do. It’s a great feeling, and it is time to embrace the new role. “Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!”
On Friday, August 16, 2019, I took the first step. I changed my Linked-In profile to reflect my new title. Linked-In is a great platform, and it is super easy to change your title by just following the prompts. Once you hit “Save”, your new title is sent to all of your Linked-In contacts immediately. I am good to go right? Just hit the button, and I am on my way. Interestingly, I hesitated as a wave of “tree hugging” passed over me. Once I changed my title/role, my professional identity was changing. I liked being a VP, Human Resources. Was I going to like being an author? Good or bad, right or wrong, we use our titles to define ourselves.
Good or bad, right or wrong, we use our titles to define ourselves.
How often do you introduce yourself to new people by including your title or role? You are often asked what you do when you are meeting new people. Your title and role become a part of your identity. After all, most people spend the majority of their waking hours at work. You’ve worked hard for the distinction and may be very proud of your company and role. Therefore, it is natural that we “become the title” just as I referenced in Chapter 2 of my new book.
Titles are the common language
It is also natural that titles are important to employers as well. Generally, role definition categorized or labeled as a title is the foundation for organizational and compensation structure. Titles are the common language that enable employers in similar industries to compare the role definitions and validate that the role is properly leveled and compensated. Appropriate titles and compensation levels are critical elements in retaining key talent. Of course, this was not the point of my concern in updating my profile. I was changing my identity.
Well I eventually did hit the “Save’ button, and my new title was launched into cyber-space. Whatever doubts I was experiencing about changing my title/identity were put to rest within several hours. To my surprise, I received many immediate congratulatory messages. Many colleagues and friends inquired about the subject of my book and wished me well. They were very kind and supportive. People are just awesome! I realized that it was not about the title. It was about me!
In the spirit of full disclosure, my Linked-In title is now Senior Human Resources Executive/Author. Wink!
