Why Titles Matter (Even if You Think They Don’t)

Entering the networking event, I pat my pocket to make sure my business cards are there. Yep, still got them. I know business cards seem old-fashioned in this digital age, but I prefer handing out a physical card rather than awkwardly scanning a QR code. It just feels more professional.

 “What can I get you to drink?” the bartender asks.

 “Just a glass of water with lemon, thanks.” Joan, feeling a bit nervous, opts for hydration over liquid courage—this is a room full of professionals, after all.

Gathering her confidence, she turns to the woman next to her and says, “Hi, I’m Joan from JBT Manufacturing.”

The woman smiles. “Hi, I’m Melissa from Grace & Salt Leadership Academy. Nice to meet you! What do you do at Acme?”

Joan hesitates for a moment. “Well, I manage the export department. My team handles shipping our machines to Europe,” she says, handing Melissa her business card.

“That sounds interesting. I’m the ______________________.”

How would you answer that question? What do you do for a living? How would you describe your role?

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend about job titles. They were frustrated, saying, “Titles shouldn’t matter! We should all just focus on getting the work done.”

Sure, I agreed. Yes, the company’s mission should come first, and no, your entire identity shouldn’t be tied to your title. But unless you’re the CEO or in executive leadership, titles do matter.

Many years ago, I had a similar conversation with the president of an organization. He confidently said, “Titles don’t matter.” I didn’t have the guts at the time to respond, “Of course you feel that way—you’re the president!” He had already made it. But for the rest of us still working toward senior leadership, titles are significant.

So, why do titles matter?

 1. Identity.

Titles provide a sense of identity. They create clear roles and boundaries, helping us know how to interact with each other. When someone asks, “What do you do?” a title gives you a quick way to explain your role and responsibilities.

 2. Authority.

Titles convey authority. They let people know who in the room has the final say. Used wisely, this authority is key to leadership.

 3. Decision-Making Power.

In leadership, someone has to make the call. Without clear titles, decision-making can stall, leading to frustration and a lack of progress. Titles help streamline the process.

4. Legitimate Power.

Titles give legitimate power within an organization. Whether it’s the supervisor, manager, VP, or president, a title establishes who holds the leadership reins.

 5. Confidence and Pride.

Let’s not forget that titles give people a sense of accomplishment. Reaching a certain title brings pride and confidence—it’s validation that you’ve earned decision-making power and that leadership believes in your abilities.

So, the next time you think, “Why do these young folks care so much about titles?” ask yourself: “What’s my title?” Chances are, when you were an emerging leader, your title mattered a great deal to you too.

It’s true for me too. When I started Grace & Salt Leadership Academy, I wasn’t sure what to call myself. Was I the owner, founder, president, or CEO? I still switch between all four from time to time because, honestly, I’m not sure which one fits best.

…But before you rush to hand out "Director" and "Vice President" titles to everyone on your team, keep in mind that titles should align with your company’s culture, the role, and the organizational structure.

I’ll dive into how to assign titles and build an effective organizational structure in my next blog. Stay tuned!