10: Still No Real Beths

Inspired by “Titles are Toxic” by Michael Lopp, aka Rands, the Priority team explores the myriad ways that job titles are misleading, exploitive, and—yes—toxic.Caitie shares her frustration with labels that fail to reflect all of the professional hats we wear. Max laments the fake growth suggested by arbitrary job titles, as he progresses from Title Malcontent I to Title Malcontent II.But don’t throw out the Assistant Baby with the Senior Bathwater Administrator. Our roles can inspire us, and sometimes an accurate job description forms a bulwark against job creep. As usual, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions (or one-size-fits-all titles). You can aspire to your title, transcend it, or request a better one. Just remember that everyone you meet is more than their job title suggests—which will promote you to Mindful Job Title Evaluator, Grade 3.Links:MOPACA Alpaca Show | MOPACA.org"Titles are Toxic" by Michael Lopp | Rands in ReposeRands | Wikipedia@Rands | TwitterJob Title Definition | About CareersPriority Episode No. 3: "Screwing Up Is Part of the Program" (jump to 22:22) | Via OvercastHost & Hostess Duties at a Wedding | WeddingInsight.com"Maker's Schedule, Managers Schedule" by Paul Graham | PaulGraham.comStephen Covey | WikipediaHabit 6: Synergize | StephenCovey.comWayne's World | IMDB / AmazonWayne's World - Wayne Campbell | WikiquoteDilbert | WikipediaSilicon Valley | WikipediaFranklinCovey | WikipediaThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey | Amazon"Why Corporate Executives Talk About 'Opening Their Kimonos'" by Steve Haruch | NPR Code SwitchBlink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking | AmazonGetting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (A Brand New Edition for 2015) by David Allen | AmazonThe 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity by K. Kogon, A. Merrill, and L. Rinne | Amazon "Introducing the Hipster PDA" by Merlin Mann | 43 FoldersPriority Episode No. 7: "I Kool-Aid-Manned My Way In" | Podcast Episode[This episode is the origination of the running gag about a notional "Beth."]Everyday Writing Center: A Community of Practice by A. E. Geller, M. Eodice, F. Condon, M. Carroll, and E. Boquet | AmazonWhat is Consultative Selling? (Definition) | About SalesPriority Episode No. 7: "I Kool-Aid-Manned My Way In" (jump to 40:02) | Via Overcast"Sheryl Sandberg: The Word 'Bossy' Should be Banned" by Eyder Peralta | NPR's The Two-Way