TED Conversations

Ryan McKinney

Associate Director of Campus Activities, The Catholic University of America

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Titles are essential for leadership

We have all been taught that you don't need a title to be a leader but no one I've interacted with actually believes that. We look to those with titles as the leaders.
Leadership is about relationships and titles help define the relationship you have to someone or something.
Every relationship has a title and every relationship needs leadership skills and knowledge to help it grow - thus every relationship title is a leadership title. Employee, sister, father, stranger, student, musician, cousin, roommate, pilot, supervisor, American, homeowner, etc. These are all titles and if people viewed them as leadership titles maybe we'd take more responsibility for the influence we have in those roles.

Topics: Everyday Leadership education influence leadership relationship roles titles
0
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • Rhona Pavis 50+

    • 0
    Sep 19 2012: Okay. I hereby crown myself EMPRESS of ALL UNIVERSES.
    • thumb

      edward long 100+

      • 0
      Sep 19 2012: Dub thyself, oh Great One! You will be reporting directly to me since I am The Higher,
      • thumb

        James Zhang 30+

        • +1
        Sep 19 2012: James Zhang: "Cool Kid Next Door"

        Second title: "Self-Proclaimed Chosen One"

      • Rhona Pavis 50+

        • 0
        Sep 19 2012: Incorrect AGAIN, edward long. If you want any subordinate position to me, you will have to stick with TRUTH and accuracy at all times. Happy Today.
        • thumb

          edward long 100+

          • 0
          Sep 19 2012: Ooops. I did not apply for, nor am I seeking, a SUBORDINATE position. In any of the universes you rule over Is there a difference between truth and accuracy? Is there inaccurate truth or accurate falsehood?-- The Higher.
        • thumb

          James Zhang 30+

          • 0
          Sep 19 2012: Clash of egos, go!

          *grabs popcorn and chair*

    • Ryan McKinney

      • +1
      Sep 19 2012: You can give yourself the title but the person, organization, object, etc. on the other side of that title gets to decide how much influence you have in that relationship. You can give yourself the title Empress of All Universes but the universes decide how they respond to your influence.
    • thumb

      Linda Taylor 50+

      • 0
      Sep 20 2012: OK then I want to be SUPREME COMMANDER OF ALL UNIVERSES. That would make the Empress a figure head:)

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.