On titles and seniority ranks in an organization

 

I lately was asked to participate into workshopping in creation of "career paths and titles" in a software development organisation.

I have seen a few. Some with a lot of work put to them. And all wrong.

Is it them or me? Definitely me.

That's because I don’t in general like titles, the way are assigned to people. I think it would be more reasonable to discuss the responsibilities a person has and things they do, periodically. And help everyone pick a title that describes this well. And adjust it whenever they want.

Seniority is also a hard concept. Is it about years in field? Or years in life? Or about specific knowledge, or knowledge in general? Or about the successes and mistakes you have been part of? Or on how you treat yourself and other people? Or on how you compare to another random coworker?

I don't know, and maybe I don't care. Why other people do, at least because of the money. And the way salary raise is usually tied up to a promotion.

For that I have been thinking of a model, where you would always negotiate a contract from one to a few years. And then nearing the end of the contract negotiate a new one. Based on your own and the employers evaluations on the value of the work been done. Kind of like they do in sports, with professional contracts. 

Alternatively and preferably, we all get the same base salary, and a similar cut of the profits.

That’s communism and doesn’t work?

Well capitalism has and is screwing up the world, so people should start to get joy out of other things than money and possessions.

Buuut as that is not gonna happen probably ever, I will continue by picking and using my own titles as I go.

And for the request to participate - I think I will pass and use my energy on something else that I care more about. Been doing that quite a lot lately and am feeling pretty good about it.