I’ve now been in business doing what I do for more than 7 years.
What I do is coach and support SBLs to step into their superpowers and be their amazing superhero selves.
And I absolutely love it!
Recently, I was telling someone outside of education about what I do, and they said, ‘Cool, but you run your own business right? Doesn’t that make you a CEO?’
It’s fair to say I was a bit stumped, so I stuttered a bit then said, ‘Well, I guess so, yeah.’
Sure, I have my own business and I have to do all the ‘stuff’ that comes along with that but when I think about what I do, somehow, I don’t feel the title of CEO really hits the mark.
It got me thinking about titles and what they mean to people.
What is a CEO and why did I feel so uncomfortable with the idea? 🤷♀️
In the context of a multi-academy trust, I know exactly what a CEO is and what the role is about.
In business, it feels a bit grand, very corporate and a little distant somehow. Maybe if I had a team or a board it might feel a bit more appropriate but the idea of that just makes me itchy! 😆
The thing is, in business I don’t want to be corporate. I’m not corporate.
I’m professional, absolutely. I can sit in a boardroom and take on anyone in there with absolute confidence and conviction but when I don’t need to litigate, debate and influence, I’m someone else.
I’ve got a cup of tea, with my sleeves rolled up calling a spade a frickin’ shovel 😆
I’ve been known to swear in the company of those who I feel comfortable with, I use emojis in emails and I use GIFs on social media.
I spoke about this to a friend, and they said maybe ‘Owner’ is better than ‘CEO’ but even that feels bizarre and alien to me 🙈
My business is so much more than that. I’m so much more than that.
It’s a bit like the title of School Business Manager.
Literally speaking, a School Business Manager manages the business elements involved in the running of a school.
It’s technically true but it’s also SO much more than that! 🤯
And so are you ❤️
There are no right or wrong answers here but when it comes to your current role and your future roles, think about the title that comes with it. Sure, there’s a clearer and evolving career path for SBLs but that doesn’t mean that you can’t bring your own unique flavour to the party too.
You are more than your title and who you are is just as important as what you do. And you are frickin’ awesome 😉