Ok, for those that might not know, "C-Suite" refers to executive roles in companies. So, it's your classic "CEO" or "CFO" or "COO".
Ok, those we get. Each refers to the person in charge of the whole thing, the person in charge of the money for the whole thing, and the person in charge of the operations of the whole thing.
But in recent years, we have seen an influx of new C-Suite titles now being accepted into the work world. Have you noticed some goofy ones like I have? Here's a refresher for you (and yes, these are some real life examples):
CKO: Chief Knowledge Officer (because the rest of us know nothing?)
CPO: Chief People Officer (because Head of HR isn't cutting it?)
CFO: Chief Fun Officer (because we want work to be SO FUN!)
CEO: Chief Experience Officer (because I am in charge of the culture here, peasants.)
CLO: Chief Listening Officer (because I want you all to feel heard.)
CDO: Chief Data Officer (because IT needs some attention, dudes!)
And the list goes on. And on. And on. If you don't believe me, ask Quora!
Ok but: why? Forbes.com says it's "corporate kindergarten playtime title-making" and that companies are doing it just to sound cooler. That's in an article titled "C is for Silly." Classic.
I say it's because we LOVE a good title on our business card. On our LinkedIn. On our office door. I worked for a company once that never printed titles on anything, and I loved that about the organization. They stopped that practice years ago and it was disheartening. I wish our human pride didn't get in the way of our corporate progress but sadly, I think it always will.
Can we stop caring about titles long enough to truly work together as a team to create better things? Mmm...not sure. But what I do know is that a few of us can. We can rage against this C-Suite machine while lovingly working for the Chief of Fun Experience Listening who, by the way, tells us to set aside a few hours of deep thinking time every day like he does (and yes, that was said to me by a past supervisor).
I am an eternal optimist, so I do believe these roles are created in an effort to better the organization. I also believe (and have experienced) that when those new roles are rolled out (see what I did there), there is a matching roll of eyes by those of us that are really running things day to day.
So the take away is to know your team. Support your team. Maybe take one for the team, in spite of your new CWTFO title. Acronoyms rule.
Reach out to Liz Simpers today for some fun consulting time to get your team moving in the right direction!
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