For most of my career, Iâve eschewed titles. I saw people chase them like prizesâcoveting authority without earning respect, collecting accolades without delivering results. I didnât want to be like that. I thought my work should speak for itself, that my results would be my title.
But that was my mistake.
What I Misunderstood About Titles
I thought rejecting titles meant rejecting ego, politics, and posturing. What I didnât realize was that titles arenât just symbols of powerâtheyâre tools of utility. Theyâre shorthand for your role, your value, and your expertise in a world where time is scarce and perceptions matter.
Hereâs what I misunderstood:
- Titles Shape Perception A title can mean the difference between being invited to the table or left outside the room. It doesnât matter if youâre the most qualified person in the buildingâif your role doesnât reflect that, people wonât know to include you.
- Titles Signal Authority Titles grant weight to your voice. Without them, even your best ideas can be dismissed or overlookedânot because they lack merit, but because people instinctively defer to perceived authority.
- Titles Protect Your Work A title isnât just about status; itâs about accountability. When your role is clearly defined and respected, itâs harder for others to co-opt your contributions or sideline your expertise.
Why I Avoided Titles
I avoided titles because of what Iâd seen them represent:
- People chasing promotions for the sake of appearances.
- Colleagues using their titles as shields to deflect accountability.
- Leaders wielding authority without the competence to back it up.
To me, titles seemed like distractions from what really mattered: the work. But I failed to see the bigger picture.
What Iâve Learned About Utility
Titles arenât inherently good or badâitâs what you do with them that matters. For someone like me, who values integrity, collaboration, and results, a title isnât about ego. Itâs about utility. Itâs about:
- Making your contributions visible.
- Amplifying your voice.
- Ensuring your seat at the table.
A title is a toolânot a prize. And in rejecting it, I gave others tools to define me, to speak over me, and to take credit for work they didnât do.
Moving Forward
I still donât covet titles. But I no longer reject them outright. I recognize their utilityânot as symbols of status, but as tools for impact. Titles arenât about what they mean to me; theyâre about what they signal to others. Theyâre a key to opening doors, shaping conversations, and protecting the value I bring to the table.
So no, I donât want your job. But I do want the recognition and respect that come with doing it well. Titles can help me achieve thatânot for vanity, but for fairness. Thatâs not a mistake Iâll make again.