If the Shoe Fits: When CEO = Pretentious
by Miki SaxonA Friday series exploring Startups and the people who make them go. Read all If the Shoe Fits posts here
After reading Alexander Haislip’s post, I scurried around and removed the “CEO” from as many profiles as I could find/remember.
Back in 1999 I started RampUp Solutions I called myself “founder” and I was happy with that, but I kept being told I should use ‘CEO’, so I did. (Hey, even smart people can give poor advice.)
However, I was never comfortable with the title because I’ve worked with dozens of CEOs and knew that I didn’t/couldn‘t do what they do.
Not only did not, but could not.
Now, thirteen years later, my gut reaction has been confirmed; not only the reaction, but the reasons.
Ask yourself: would you still be CEO if it were a $100 billion business or would you require what’s euphemistically called “adult supervision?”
Considering what passes for a $100 billion business these days you may want to add ‘sustainable’ to the description.
There is nothing wrong with bringing in a “real” CEO and learning the ropes—think Larry Page and Google—but assuming a title of which you aren’t really capable smacks of a five-year-old dressing up in mommy’s/daddy’s clothes.
Actually, I’m surprised I didn’t delete those three letters years ago when I shared some of the things I’ve heard CEO really means. Call it a major case of disconnect.
I hope Haislip’s and my post inspires you to find the time to expunge CEO from your social profiles and other places, including your business cards.
You might also want to take a hard look at other company titles, especialy on the executive level.
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Flickr image credit: HikingArtist
