Your Title Doesn't Matter

Your role on a team is more than just a title.

The NFL has had over 26,000 different players in history, yet there are only 24 possible positions to play - titles.  And although many have shared the same title, they are not the same.

Drew Brees, a quarterback, played for 20 seasons, became Super Bowl champion, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and was selected to 13 Pro Bowls.  That’s a stellar career.

Ryan Leaf, who shared the same title as Drew Brees, played for four seasons, argued with his coaches, statistically bombed on the field, and is largely considered one the of the worst quarterbacks in NFL history.

Every position comes with expectations.  The team expects you to bring something to the table.

Skills.

Results.

Personality.

It’s wrong to assume a title automatically gives you certain rights. It means you’re confusing hierarchy and organization with influence and capability. You still have to prove yourself in battle and win the hearts and minds of your teammates and partners.

Earning the starting position gets you on the field, but doesn’t guarantee you’ll stay.

When I worked a corporate job I learned that titles are organizational but also a tool for the company to set a compensation range. People I worked with pursued better titles because they wanted the recognition, respect, and paycheck that came with it.

I never cared for the specific title as long as I was paid fairly. A good employer will make sure you get paid fairly no matter what your title is. In most workplaces, people will create opportunities for you when you demonstrate attitude and aptitude.

I exploited this when I first entered the tech industry as an intern on a developer support team. 

Once I earned the trust of the company to work as much as I wanted, I shadowed others and asked as many questions as I could muster. Despite only being an intern in title, my role and responsibilities grew beyond that scope. I brought my entire self to the company, landing a full time position within a few weeks of my internship.

It’s not the title that matters, but what you do with it.