Use Your Title

Use Your Title
From Apprentice to Journeyman : Dave Hoover : Home

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Context: As a result of your Perpetual Learning, you have been hired or promoted (formally or informally) into a position with a title containing words like "senior", "architect", or "lead".

Problem: Your Accurate Self Assessment conflicts with the title you have assumed.

Solution: Do not allow your title to affect you. It is a distraction that should be kept on the outskirts of your consciousness. Use it to gauge your organization, not yourself.

Don't be fooled by an impressive title. Your mother might think you deserve it, but impressive titles and responsibilities do not indicate that your apprenticeship is over. They only serve to remind you that there is a shortage of craftsmen in our industry.

The other side of the coin is an unimpressive title despite the fact that you have surpassed your colleagues. Like the flattery of an impressive title, the frustration that comes from a lack of recognition should remind you that our industry has a problem. Again, use this situation to measure your organization and its fit for you rather than allowing the frustration to slow you down.

Another variant of this theme is informal vs. formal titles. For instance, when your role on your team has grown into a position of authority, despite your formal title remaining the same. These informal titles can be hard to ignore, because they are constantly reinforced by your peers, despite the fact that they conflict with your Accurate Self Assessment. During these times, your connections with Your Mentors and Kindred Spirits will be critical to keep your self-assessment grounded in reality.

Dave sees the sign

: Two years after I wrote my first program, a CGI script, my title was "senior application developer". Having developed a fairly Accurate Self Assessment, I saw the humor in my situation. Rather than believing that I had achieved my goals, I saw this title as a sign that I needed to move on, to Draw My Own Map.

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