How you describe yourself in business matters

Let’s take a look shall we? 

1. CEO (8%):
The title of Chief Executive Officer implies a position of leadership and decision-making authority. CEOs are often associated with larger companies and organizations, symbolizing a hierarchical structure and strategic vision. I know when I get into CEO mode, I am much more likely to take a step back and make more informed, strategic decisions. 

2. Director (20%):
By identifying as a Director, professionals highlight their role in overseeing specific departments or areas of the business. This term conveys responsibility, expertise, and a guiding influence within the organization. But surely if you are director…you are directing the work, and if you are the only person doing the work, does that even make sense?

3. Founder (20%):
The entrepreneurial spirit shines through as 20% of respondents identified themselves as Founders. This title emphasizes their role in conceiving and establishing the business, often conveying a sense of passion, vision, and innovation. As Founder of three businesses with strong brands, Too Fat to Run, Tribe Builder and The Year to Change…I understand all too well the need to get credit for being the creator of the idea.

4. Freelancer (7%):
Freelancers, with their independence and autonomy, accounted for 7% of the responses. These individuals enjoy the freedom to work on a project basis, forging their own path and often possessing specialized skills in their respective fields. This is 100% where I started out, I worked out that I got my first official freelance job 29 years ago yikes.

5. General Dogs Body or CGO (8%):
While the term “General Dogs Body” may seem unconventional, it represents those who take on various roles within the organization, often performing tasks across multiple domains. There is nothing inherently wrong with being Chief Grafting Officer, these individuals possess adaptability, versatility, and a willingness to get their hands dirty. But do you want to be working this hard forever?

6. Owner (36%):
The majority of participants (36%) referred to themselves as Owners, showcasing their sense of pride, commitment, and personal investment in the business. Owners often have a comprehensive understanding of the company’s operations and drive its success. But the question this poses, is do you own a business or do you own a job? A job where the boss is a pain in the butt at times?

How we perceive ourselves within our professional environments significantly impacts our mindset, self-confidence, and approach to work. Understanding the role we play in the broader business landscape can help us align our goals and aspirations accordingly. It also has an impact on how others see us.

We all must take on the energy of a CEO from time to time. We need to be setting the strategic objectives, we need to be reviewing the metrics that matter. If we are doing all of the doing and never doing any of the thinking, developing, initiating, then we really are making it hard for ourselves…because who else is going to do that work for us?

The presence of the “General Dogs Body” descriptor highlights the importance of adaptability and versatility in the modern business landscape. Wearing multiple hats can be a valuable asset, allowing individuals to contribute to various facets of the organization and gain diverse experiences. But this can also lead to burnout, and even your ideal clients losing confidence in you, if you are seen to be doing everything in the business, rather than focussing on the strategic, and the stuff that is totally in your zone of genius. 

Curious to discover what kind of business you are truly running? Maybe it is time to upgrade the way you talk about yourself. Maybe this week it is time to do more of the tasks required of a CEO rather than a CGO. Maybe it is time to get clear on where it is you want to take your business, and who you need to be to do that.