Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago · 3 min. reading time · ~100 ·

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I'm Looking for Genuine People - Your Job Title Means Nothing to Me

I'm Looking for Genuine People - Your Job Title Means Nothing to Me

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According to a recent infographic posted to Twitter, the average age of workers at beBee is 29… putting me way above the average.

Perhaps that’s a polite way to say I have a few years under my belt.

I have some great experiences.

I started three companies, and led technology in three organizations that have taken on some big, hairy, audacious challenges. (Thanks Jim Collins for this phrase).

I also have quite a few scars and calluses gained from the things that didn’t go as planned.

I’d like to take credit for my victories, but all accolades go to the teams of magic makers who joined me in the journey.

My job was, again quoting Jim Collins in Good to Great, to get ‘the right people on the bus, and the wrong people off the bus’.

My job was to build the best team possible to achieve those lofty goals.

In my search for the best people, I have noticed a trend.

In my world of technology, there is a problem with posers and pretenders.

These are people that overestimate their abilities, or represent themselves as experts, when in fact my 85 year old mother probably has as much practical experience.

Some of them do so intentionally.

Others do so because they were deluded by their previous job titles.

In this sector, there seems to be a flagrant misuse of the terms “Manager”, “Director”, and “Chief Information Officer”.

Some ‘managers’ do not manage people, or projects.

Some ‘directors’ do not have even moderate budget accountability.

Some ‘Chief Information Officers’ are really Directors who have nothing to do with strategic influence in their organizations.

The title of “Engineer” is thrown about with impunity. It’s no wonder that those who have studied for years to become professionally accredited are upset with this. ‘Engineering’ implies a systematic, repeatable process, not a cool sounding title.

Now I know that ‘posers’ aren’t limited to the technology sector, but that is where my experience in building teams lies.

The startup world is full of ‘titled’ people. I know, I’ve been part of it.

There’s the day when the founders are sitting around the table and decide who gets to be the CEO, who gets to be the CFO, who gets to be the CTO, etc.

It can get carried away.

Some of those titles were deemed by the employer, but I see an increasing trend of people creating their own titles.

In the heady days of the pre-dotcom crash, I saw the business card of someone, and I’m not making this up, which read “Chief Giggles Officer”.

REALLY!!??

In my search for talent I do not look at job titles.

I look at their experience. That tells a much better story.

But not just the ultra-positive accounts on their resumes.

It doesn’t take long to separate the sh*t from the shinola. (That is NOT a Jim Collins quote).

I told you earlier that I started three companies.

Did you just accept that at face value?

It amazes me that most people do.

If I was recruiting myself for a position on my team (a bit esoteric… but I digress) I would certainly look for EVIDENCE that my claims were true. (The claim is verifiably true BTW).

Not only, ‘Did it actually happen?’, but ‘What was the scope and scale of this role?’

Was it a one-man shop where I was the President, the CFO, and the janitor?

Was it leading a team of over 100 people with a budget responsibility in the tens of millions?

Was there success? Why?

Was there failure? Why?

The people who represent themselves genuinely on their resumes, and do not hide behind titles or exaggerated experiences are the ones I look for to add to my team.

Why do I do this?

I ask my team for ‘magic’.

They have to rely on each and every member to bring value and skill to the table.

There is no room for bullsh*t.

No room for ‘Fake it till you make it’. (That doesn’t mean that people don’t grow into roles, it means they don’t pretend to be experts).

Not if you want magic.

So… let me wrap this up.

There is a problem with posing and pretending in this world - On resumes, and in particularly on Social Media.

Being genuine, being real, and knowing yourself well sets you apart from the crowds.

If you are pretending to be something you are not, it doesn’t take long for the wheels to come off…

… and the real ‘you’ is revealed.

There is one place you can be a pretender, and that is if you are a member of the Platters, and belt out this wonderful old ditty:


_________________________________________________________________

About the Author:

d9746e95.jpgI’m the Chief Information Officer for Appleby College, in Oakville, Ontario Canada, where my team is transforming the delivery of education through innovative application of technology. I'm also a beBee Brand Ambassador.

I'm convinced that IT leadership needs to dramatically change how IT is delivered rather than being relegated to a costly overhead department.

In addition to transforming IT in my role as CIO, I look for every opportunity to talk about this... writing, speaking and now blogging on BeBee (www.bebee.com/@kevin-pashuk) , LinkedIn, ITWorld Canada, or at TurningTechInvisible.com.

I also shoot things... with my camera. Check out my photostream at www.flickr.com/photos/kwpashuk 




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#Title #Chief Information Officer #Jim Collins #CFO #Genuine People
Comments

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #65

#133
You bring up some good points Lyon (especially about good cheese).

Lyon Brave

6 years ago #64

#132
I am not sure in what ways you mean by losing time. However, the way society is set up, the high cost of living, it's hard to live life to the fullest. Even those who want adventure might have a more mundane existence than we would like and too many nights indoors, not enough lovers, adventures or good cheese.

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #63

#130
I actually finished it Deb\ud83d\udc1d Lange, Brand Ambassador @beBee... You can find it here: https://www.bebee.com/producer/@kevin-pashuk/when-i-get-old #131 Good question Lyon... I do notice that it becomes more of an issue once you near the end of the runway. Lost time and wasted years are never regained, and I suppose once people realize that there isn't an infinite amount of time left, you have one of two choices, start worrying, or making the most of the time you have.

Lyon Brave

6 years ago #62

why is everyone so worried about their age on beBee

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

6 years ago #61

#127
Kevin Pashuk fully agreed :) attitude is everything!

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #60

#126
Thanks Javier \ud83d\udc1d beBee. Over 50 is a great age to be! I'm in the middle of writing a post on aging... and how frustrated I get when people give up on big dreams, and wanting to make a difference. For me, age is not based on the calendar, but on attitude.

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

6 years ago #59

great engagement here :) . I am glad to be over 40s :) Our top management are over 50s , the best age :)

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #58

#123
Charlene, thanks for adding your story... It sounds like we have come to similar conclusions about how leaders should define themselves, and then channel that to produce results.

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #57

#121
Thanks Kevin. Wishing you the best in your quest for FT employment.

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #56

#118
Thanks Deb... If you are machocistic enough to read through my litany of Producer posts, you will see that the majority of them deal with a new way of delivering IT.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #55

#116
Thanks for the kind words. Glad I got you thinking.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

7 years ago #54

First of all, Kevin Pashuk, love the video. One of my favorite groups of all time! Second, titles to me are labels and can be terribly limiting and/or misleading. Any title can be intepreted as necessary; they're not carved in stone. Some rise to theirs; others hide behind theirs. Different companies see them differently, right? Marvelous post because it's real and unique. Got me thinking, which is usually a good thing!

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #53

#114
Thanks for the story Heather Malson. That's the trouble with titles (albeit in a non-intentional way). The recruiters seem to be going by their (mis)interpretation of your title, rather than reading more carefully. I do believe beBee has something for everyone, but it is like a buffet. If you wait around at the table, nothing seems to come... but if you get up and active (commenting for example) then it's a great place to engage.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #52

#112
Good observation Robert... I've met way too many people who were 'consulting' a.k.a. 'in between jobs' a.k.a. 'unemployed' who previously had an 'important' title, and would now never consider any lower position, even though the bills were piling up. If it was a made up title, the problem is worse.

Robert Cormack

7 years ago #51

You bring up an interesting point, Kevin Pashuk (many points, actually). I'll stick to one, though. People have an inflated opinion of themselves based on the title they were given at their last job. In some respects, this is the fault of their last job. Too often, companies decide to give titles instead of raises, a corporate savings technique and, frankly, stupid. Employees leave, looking for similar titles in the employment section, thinking that's them, exactly. Wasn't that what they did? Weren't they promoted to that position because of their qualifications? Then they hit reality. Were they just naive? Or possibly brain-washed by their last employer? I guess it's "bullshit baffles brains" with a growth cycle.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #50

#110
Great anecdote to illustrate the points in the post Migdalia. I'm pleased you had the wherewithal to report this goof of an interviewer.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #49

#107
Welcome Renata.

Sarah Elkins

7 years ago #48

#82
You know, Ken Boddie, I never thought of it as an age thing before now, but I think you are right, generally speaking. I remember trying to be that "sweet quiet girl" in high school, they seemed so mysterious and the boys seemed to love them. It didn't work out for me. Most women I know fight who they really are until they're in their late 20s, then resign themselves to their reality (for me, that was being too talkative). But then, magically, we go from resignation to embracing those things we tried to fight as kids. I'm definitely all me these days, it's exhausting to try to be anything else.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #47

#95
Hook, line and sinker, Kev! You didn't disappoint. 🤣

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #46

#90
well, it ought to. Start somewhere. Thanks , but I'll use your good wishes for the quest. Job is the safest route to get there :)

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #45

#100
Douglas Adams would say your number is... 42. But that's a topic for another post.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #44

#97
#86 To add to your conversation Gerald Hecht... a musical interlude. https://youtu.be/SYUgGs9IStY Trouble is... I used to perform this song from the perspective of the young man... I still sing it however.

Matt Sweetwood

7 years ago #43

#90
Having a positive personal brand is usually the difference between getting the job you want and not.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #42

#82
Thanks Ken. I agree. When hiring the young 'uns... look at affinity, personality, and attitude. Hire for talent, train for skill as the old saying goes. You said "I look for staff who are keen and energetic, able to fit in and work in a team ..... and who laugh at my dad jokes." That final requirement must thin the herd... a lot.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #41

#81
Thanks Harvey. I've heard the phrase go... "It is said that with age, comes wisdom. Some people only get the age." It's important for each of us to have a personal brand, but it has to be based on reality, not bullsh*t...

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #40

#77
If you keep making bad puns like that Todd Jones will recruit you into the "BAD DAD JOKES' hive...

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #39

#76
Thanks Praveen Raj Gullepalli. I liked that you point out that for each 'title', there's a person behind that. I also agree that there's a dire lack (or skill) in holding people to account, and expose the pretending.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #38

#73
Funny Paul, but half serious. You remind me of the challenge of the independent writers and consultants out there.... how do you build your brand that is genuine and differentiates you from all the other 'writers'? After all, anyone can call themselves a 'writer', or 'photographer', or a 'musician', or a 'consultant', but how do you know they are competent? I guess it is by their results... ... or maybe that they have been able to shed the corporate life and now have a Bali address?

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #37

#72
Thanks for commenting Devish. I wish you luck in your job search. Being genuine is part of the answer... the second part is that you have to build a personal brand that clearly shows your skills, talents, and value you would bring to your potential employer. I know that Javier \ud83d\udc1d beBee have been talking about this quite a bit lately.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #36

#68
Thanks Alexa Steele... You are right... LI is a treasure trove of bad titles.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #35

#67
From what I understand Aleta Curry, the U.K. has been dealing with 'titles' for a long, long, time... First Earl of Worcestershire (which has my vote as the most unpronounceable word in the English language) as an example, as well as Lords, Ladies, etc. While those titles were bequeathed by birth, history shows that it isn't the title that matters, but the person who has the title.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #34

#66
Thanks Preston. I have no issues with using 'Fake it till you make it' to challenge yourself to do new things, or adopting characteristics that move you towards skills you don't have (e.g. practicing a discipline until it becomes habit), it is when people come to me proclaiming expertise or qualifications that they clearly don't have, once put to the test.

Harvey Lloyd

7 years ago #33

#84
I am liking that, maybe we could come up with a curve in the IQ scale that is divisible by age then by a hundred. This could place people in a four quadrant spider graph. Then we could label the quadrants according to the zodiac signs of the smartest ones on the curve. I'm liking this. I am in the libra quadrant of old man.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #32

It's a lot easier, Kev, for us to be genuine, true blue, didgeridoo, when we've been around the block as often as a 5 dollar note in a pawn shop. But it's a lot more difficult for youngsters starting out, trying to get a break, and being told they're not wanted cause they've got no experience, the wrong experience, or no matching skills. Might be enough to make your Jim Collins en'titled' to meet up with Johnny Walker? Certainly, being one of the Pretenders didn't do Chrissie Hynde any harm. When all's said and done, I find affinity with others is more important than skills and any titles, legitimate or otherwise. I look for staff who are keen and energetic, able to fit in and work in a team ..... and who laugh at my dad jokes.

Harvey Lloyd

7 years ago #31

With age comes experience and i too have become apathetic towards the brands that folks present. But i remember my first business where i was the only employee and how i mimicked behaviors of others. I think back and cringe at some of the more challenging moments where a potential customer, with experience, showed me how little i new. Social Media has produced processes where we can emulate others within the same context. Unfortunately this emulation lacks direct feedback in crucial settings. I learned all about my brand in front of customers vendors and employees as i grew. I find today that if i exclude the posers or those who's brand has become more important than reality, there is a limited playing field of talent. I have a few more years under my belt before we cash out so i am on a journey of understanding this group of technologically savvy younger generation. The ones that seem awkward with the personal branding stuff are the ones i usually zero in on. The ones who have swallowed their own BS i leave out in the world for someone else to show them they need to change their diet.

Paul Walters

7 years ago #30

#74
Too kind madam

Paul Walters

7 years ago #29

Kevin Pashuk Now as a lonely typist trying to churn out a " definitive' novel with no colleagues or staff around ...I feel I do need a title . " Director of really, really silly ideas ' resonates with me. Off to the printers now to get a business card made up !

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #28

I am genuine. I don't have a full time job. I find many interviewers as posers. But it is a different market here.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #27

#60
Thanks Sarah. You are right. We others (or ourselves) pose, it doesn't take too long before the cracks in the facade show.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #26

#58
Thanks Franci. You must have a fold out business card to get all those titles on it...

Sarah Elkins

7 years ago #25

I was just discussing this with a friend at work. Titles are so bogus. I'd much rather have a more specific tagline for a position, especially if it can be descriptive enough to know what a person actually DOES. I don't really look at titles either, because I know they can be inflated -- but really, when people put out that false bravado, they eventually get caught.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #24

#53
Great points Sara. Calling oneself an expert doesn't make you one. Showing actual results will result in others giving you the label. That's the best kind of title.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #23

#51
There are good reasons for certain titles. For example, my business card says "Chief Information Officer". Among other things it signifies that I am personally liable for mismanagement in my area. (and yes, I have insurance). How many people would adopt a title if they realized it came with personally liability? In practice, my team will occasionally ask me to 'pull the title out of the drawer' when we need to invoke the authority that comes with it. Most times however, I am referred to as the one who leads a team of smart people. Besides, I don't think CIO will get me a better seat in the restaurant. That also goes for my degree. While it took a lot of work to get those three little letters, I generally don't bring it up. Instead, I like to talk about the disruptive magic my team has done. Great video on 'advice' vs. 'opinion'. I would urge other readers to view the video you referenced and be sure to only take 'advice' from actual practitioners. The same recommendation goes for your post. It is certainly in alignment with my thoughts today. Thirdly, I must admit that the Chordettes and the Platters were before my musical awakening. I may be long in the tooth, but not that long. Cheers back!

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #22

#36
Kevin, I love both your post and your musical selection. Which was, for the record, stimulated by my bringing to your attention "Mr. Sandman" by the Chordettes ( https://youtu.be/Fty3Nzc-oiY?t=247 ) . As you might guess, I have a couple of points to make. 1) When I was teaching at university (with apologies to Aurorasa for beginning this way), which was in another lifetime and before electricity was invented, it was considered gauche for a Ph.D. to use the title "Dr.", especially in liberal arts circles. This was because a high percentage of the titans in academia at that time did not have a Ph.D., but more often simply a Masters degree with years as honored fellows at a British or European university, and were referred to simply as "Mr.". In the U.S. and Canada at that time, those who wanted to flaunt a bit more prestige employed "Prof." or "Professor" in front of their name. Although some who had the Ph.D. (and some who didn't) referred to themselves as "Doctor" when making restaurant reservations because it was generally assumed that doctors were very important and busy people, and often given priority seating at said restaurants. The entire situation being kind of like the precursor of social media practice. 2) I ran across a fantastic video the other day, which in this context I would like to make you all aware of: https://youtu.be/gsWoEh5wwxk?t=9 3) I don't usually post a link to one of my own pieces on someone else's thread, but since you and I are friends and comrades, I hope you will extend some leniency here, if I take that liberty this time. For I believe you have raised a very important topic, which deserves a broadened discussion. https://www.bebee.com/producer/@friedman-phil/supermen-need-not-apply Thanks for a brilliantly clear and meaningful post. Cheers!

Bill Stankiewicz

7 years ago #21

#28
Good Afternoon Aurorasa Sima, maybe in only 3-4. :~)) best regards, Bill Stankiewicz

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #20

#43
Thanks Adam. The trouble with 'illusion' is that it requires inordinate effort to maintain it... energy that is better spent in actually achieving something worthwhile.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #19

#44
Thanks Jim. Your nugget of the day? "People who know what they are doing exude authenticity."

Jim Murray

7 years ago #18

Nice stuff, Mr P. Yeah there are posers everywhere. The advertising agency business is full of them. As a result they end up believing they are re-inventing the wheel only to find out that the been-there-seen-that factor among consumers has become a plague. People who know what they are doing exude authenticity. And people who know what they are looking for and judge their applicants by the standards you have defined for yourself, or something close, will end up with situations that are much more conducive to success and having a good time achieving it. (Murray, not Collins)

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #17

#37
Thanks for the comment Pamela \ud83d\udc1d Williams. You reminded me of the 'SME' (Subject Matter Expert) moniker that Consultants are relying on to provide an understanding of the processes, flow, and other dynamics of an organization. I was a consultant for years before I took 'a real job' (my father was relieved) so I feel your pain in this area.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #16

#33
Thanks Froil\u00e1n P\u00e9rez. (I do hope he knows I'm kidding)).

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #15

#30
I can visualize you on the stage of the Globe Theatre now, sir. (and not playing Yorick).

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #14

#28
I am always so impressed by the multilingual. I can order coffee and beer in more than one language but I don't think that counts.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #13

#26
Great observations Migdalia Burgos! I do like your last bit "They're supposed to say what you can do. As a result, I keep them simple. If one reads the actual work, they'll see I have a story, and it's a good one."

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #12

#23
Thanks for the kind words Jared. My son works for one of the big banks in Canada and it seems they have about 5 layers of titles with 'Vice President' in it... to the point where it is meaningless. I like the Rohn quote. The team's efficacy is indeed a composite of all members. Having a bad apple on the team can bring down the average pretty quickly. That's why Jim Collins was so adamant to 'get the wrong people OFF the bus'.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #11

#22
I hear the position of "Chief Giggles Officer" is open Bill.

Bill Stankiewicz

7 years ago #10

I have no job title 😷

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #9

#17
I thought you may have been speaking (typing) with a fake British accent Gerald.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #8

#16
I'm glad it was a dwarf hamster you consulted. A hamster can't pretend to be much other than a hamster. Thanks for commenting Aurorasa.

don kerr

7 years ago #7

#9
LMAO

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #6

#6
Mr something... Sir Gerald Hecht

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #5

#7
I have been in meetings where it was said (and I'm not making this up...) "We can't afford to give him a raise, so we'll give him a new title." I've met you Don... I can verify that you are indeed a genuine story teller. I can't speak of you being a brand guy (vs. a 'tat' guy), since our relationship hasn't developed to the point where I'm comfortable asking you to show me your 'brand'... and what you do in your private life is no business of mine. 😀

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #4

#5
I think "Mr." is a great title Pascal Derrien. My favourite title for me is "Grandpa", but that doesn't work on a business card.

don kerr

7 years ago #3

Kevin Pashuk Yes, yes and YES! Back when I had a real job and was crowned Managing Director of a large design agency we took a crack at going 'title free'. It seemed pretty clear to me that if someone worked in the creative department they were 'creative'; someone from account management was a 'manager'; someone in administration was - you guessed it, an 'administrator'. It was thought that we could do away with the numerous adjectives - senior, junior, executive, managing, etc. - as those served solely to create what - status? Division? Anyway, the entire exercise came a cropper when members of the 'senior' management team determined that segmented titles were 'motivational' and would encourage minions to aspire to hire levels. I thought it was bullshit but apparently, in this case, the managing director, had no more influence than the junior account executive. In my next jobs I determined not to tilt at the title windmill but behind the scenes I sought to work with people motivated by having accountability + authority. I haven't looked recently but I think my title in my current job is - storyteller and brand guy. Guess I better check. Might need to add some motivational adjectives!

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #2

I don't have a title on my corporate business card once I was tasked what's your title I answered Mr why? :-)

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #1

Gerald, you are indeed one of the more genuine people I have encountered here on beBee. I will never accuse you of posing.

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