Titles reflect hierarchy. They reflect the level of responsibility and also define roles. There is, of course, a certain prestige attached to various titles in an Organisation, however, they can also create barriers between two people trying to achieve the same goals, albeit at different levels. Collaborating with various client organizations, I have got the opportunity to interact with people from various designations and couldn’t help but notice people holding on too tight to the proverbial ‘rung of the corporate ladder.’
Why? Because a title often becomes the most important thing for an individual. When people want a designation of Team Lead or Manager, the underlying assumption is that it will make them more powerful or respected.
It’s like saying titles often come with the assumption that people will follow you based on a title. But leadership is based on more than just titles. Not only do title-based leaders feel like once they get the title that everyone will fall in line, but they also feel they are leading because they are in charge. A necessary condition for leadership is trust, which doesn’t come from titles. You have to earn it. If you are trying to see yourself as a leader in the future, the title is not what you should fight for.
‘Let go of the titles, and see people transform to achieve their ‘true’ potential.’
To Dos:
Make people in your company interact with each other irrespective of their ‘Titles’. Make the guys with higher titles more approachable so that the others emulate the same attitude – top to bottom.
Leave a Reply