Are you guilty of "DDBT"?

Disclosure: I have taken a few words and added a new definition.  While the acronym itself has no defined meaning, this definition may be the new norm for some in the workforce.

DDBT- a.k.a. Decisions driven by Title- a individual who gauges a person by their title and not their ability, responsibility or accountability.

We all have been there, at a conference, to meet specific people, or connect to a professional organization or company.  You know ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, so of course, name tags are introduction pathways- you shake hands, look at the name, title, then immediately ask yourself “is this someone I need to meet, do they work in a company that I have no viable contacts or are they “the deal maker". 

Often, unless you are a speaker at the event, or have pre- arranged a meeting, you will not meet “the decision maker” directly. With that being said, do you have the propensity to judge someone based on their title ?  Have you actually eyed their name and title, made pleasant conversation, only to leave the person because their title did not match your needs?  What a shame if you did, because generally, titles can be very misleading and the person who you are looking for may be one connection away, in the individual you just pleasantly, however intentionally ignored.  

Later, either via email or workflow conversation, you realize your faux pas privately and further determine a missed opportunity....for you both. 

Working in recruitment and as an indefatigable networker, I have attended events with hundreds of attendees, and I realized it has been done to me! My title and what I actually do are different and my level of responsibility has a larger scope.  However,  it is not for ME to define myself by my title, it is for you to network with me regardless of the title to learn what I do, my ability and my level of engagement within my corporate structure. I have met many amazing people whose deceptive titles, I think are intentional, to gage your level of interest, or your proclivity to intentionally be a DDBT

The flip side of the coin are those individuals with titles scream either entitlement or ambiguity.  I have seen both to the extreme and again, the key is  interaction, because being on the flip means that their titles are truly misleading and while sometimes succinct, their roles are literally one foot out the door.....literally!!!

Working with students, I often state that an opportunity is just that, an opportunity.  You never know how a connection can lead to employment, possible mentorship, insider career information, or just advice and guidance.  All of which can be valuable currency in today’s workplace.

For seasoned professionals, it goes without saying that judging a book by its cover can range from unfortunate to a missed deal.  Judge people by their ability, conversation and openness to connect- don't be a DDBT.