BFA # 028 | Does your title matter?

What's happening Fraud Fighters?

Have you ever felt like your fancy job title doesn't really capture what you do day-to-day? Or that leadership sees your role a bit differently than how you view it yourself?

The truth is, the labels we use to describe our professional identities shape how others perceive us - for better or worse.

Let's investigate further.

Read Time: ~4.05 Minutes

What we call ourselves matters

Now you may be thinking, shouldn’t my identity as a fraud fighter be the same as my official job title?

Your own concept of your role and capabilities may not fully align with your title. You likely identify as a fraud expert, regardless of whether your business card says Analyst, Manager, or Director. (does anyone have business cards anymore?)

Those outside the fraud fighting world don't have the same insider perspective. To them, your title is a major signal of your status and qualifications.

While you know yourself to be a skilled fraud fighter, others only see the surface level signals like job title. Using a title that undersells your experience can undermine how stakeholders perceive your expertise and clout in the industry.

It creates a mismatch between how you view your own standing and how others on the outside look at you. And unfortunately, external perceptions often become reality in terms of the level of respect and authority you're given.

The higher level of authority associated with a 'Chief' title versus a 'Manager' title lends itself to greater trust in judgment calls and strategic plans. It builds stakeholder confidence that you have the capability and experience to guide critical fraud programs.

I don’t care about titles, but you should.