Professional Labels

(A Quick Rant)

In today’s professional world, we are too caught up in labels.

Unfortunately, it’s all-too-easy to understand why. If you ask me, it starts in college when we’re forced to declare our major, a linear path we’re expected to follow for the rest of our lives. Once we graduate, it’s all about the resumé, which is covered in labels and titles. Finally, society tells us we should climb the corporate ladder and strive for the privilege to include “manager” or “executive” within our job title.

These labels become poisonous when we use them to seek validation from others. We focus too much on them and use them to create meaning in our lives. We judge others based on their LinkedIn profile instead of the quality of their ideas.

This needs to stop, both in corporate America and for those of us that work for ourselves. Stop worrying about whether or not to call yourself a writer and write. Stop crafting your Twitter bio and start crafting solutions for others.

You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create deeper connections when you stop identifying people by their job title and start identifying them using their own ideas and interests.

Do you agree with my rant? What are your thoughts on professional labels? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter at @williamfrazr.

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