I AM ANDREAS

People like to give themselves titles, and I wonder why?

I AM ANDREAS
Yesterday someone called me Sir.

After a few times, I told him he could just simply call me Andreas.

He insisted. “It’s a sign of respect.”

Fair enough.

Years ago, someone went further and called me Dr. Andreas.

I corrected her immediately.

Simply because I’m not a doctor, and I don’t want to misrepresent anything.

She didn’t budge.

“To me you are. You help people get over anxiety and phobias faster than the doctors I’ve seen.”

People gave me titles I never asked for.

And at times, I had to live with them because, heck, why arguing?

But here’s the contrast I keep seeing and I wonder about it:

Some people put a title in front of their name:

👉 Coach X
👉 Teacher Y
👉 Mentor Z

I am not aware of anyone giving it to them.

Some assign it to themselves as if a label creates expertise.

Why?

❓Is it marketing? A title makes you look like you’ve crossed a threshold, even if you haven’t.

❓Positioning? In a crowded market, standing out becomes a game of inventing authority.

❓Identity-building? Some people use the title to become the person they hope to be, not the one they already are.

❓Differentiation? “Coach” sounds more important than “I’m still learning.”

And here’s the uncomfortable part no one likes to say out loud:

👉 A title given by others reflects what they see in you.
👉 A title given by yourself reflects what you want others to see.

One is earned while the other is ..... possibly constructed.

And I’m not saying people shouldn’t grow into an identity.

Everyone starts somewhere.

Everyone develops skills.

Everyone needs a stepping stone while they build competence.

But a title doesn’t create capability.

Capability creates the title.

You don’t become a coach because you added “Coach” to your name.

You become a coach when your questions change someone’s thinking.

When your work shifts their behaviour.

When people walk away lighter, clearer, and become more resourceful along the way.

What happens then? They, not you, start introducing you by the results you helped them create.

That’s when the title appears on its own.

So I stick with Andreas.

No prefixes.

No self-appointed labels.

Let the work speak.

Let the people decide what to call you.

But I am curious about those who gave themselves a title..... what is your reason for it? Share it in the comments, and maybe you can convince me?

#asiaminddynamics

#nlp

#traininganddevelopment

Categories: : Personal