Title in Progress: Driving Strategy Before the Title Drops

Ever look at your to-do list, see a bunch of Director-level problems, and then look at your email signature and laugh?

If so, you get it. Welcome to one of the weirdest, most common rites of passage in any career: doing the job of a Director, a Manager, or a Senior Whatever-It-Is, while your official title hasn't gotten the memo yet.

Trust me, I know the drill, and have spent more time in that weird purgatory than I care to admit. It's a special type of professional hell. You’re firefighting, steering big initiatives, and solving problems no one signed up for—yet the fancy job label strolls in like it’s cool to be fashionably late to the party.

But here’s the plot twist: that awkward “in-between” phase can become a springboard for your next big leap.

A Quick Reality Check

Okay, real talk. Ask yourself do you actually need the title? Of course, you want the recognition (and probably the pay bump) that comes with the title. You’ve earned it. But ask yourself: is the absence of the title preventing you from doing good work?

If the answer is no, then you’re in a position of power. The work you're doing is creating value, and that's your leverage. If you don't desperately need the new title tomorrow, you can shift your focus from proving you can do the job to shaping the job. (Since we know you can do it as you are already doing it!)

Hard Work Rarely Speaks for Itself

I grew up being taught that if you just put your head down and work hard, people will notice. As I’ve moved through my career, I’ve learned that is absolutely not the case. Being humble and giving credit to your team is crucial, but don't forget to give yourself credit.

Share your wins in team meetings, newsletters, or email updates. If clients email you about how great you are, forward it to your boss! Your hard work needs a microphone.

The Art of the Ask (And What to Do With the Answer)

The next time you have a formal review or check-in, find a moment to gauge the situation. You can frame the conversation with genuine curiosity:

• "I’ve loved leading Project X—what steps would you suggest to make that official title stick down the road?”

• From your viewpoint, what does growth from here look like?"

• "Based on my strengths, what would be the most direct path to the [Desired Title] role?

This isn't a demand; it's a non-threatening conversation starter that signals you're serious about your future.

But be prepared. Sometimes, these casual check-ins deliver a hard truth. Early in my career, I asked a fantastic boss how I could move up. Her advice? "Look for another job."

It was heartbreaking, but she was telling me the truth: I would have to wait for several layers of people to retire to get promoted.That moment of clarity was a gift. I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn’t taken her advice seriously.

Find an internal champion

If your direct manager’s hands are tied, scout out another leader who’s been around the block. Buy them coffee. Ask unfiltered questions. A good internal champion can give you the unwritten rules of the organization and help you see pathways you might have missed.

This is also how you learn if you’re truly seen as a leader within the company. A candid question like, “Do you see me as leadership material? If not, what’s missing?” can provide feedback that is pure gold. I once learned I lacked “executive presence.” So, I joined Toastmasters, scripted tighter talking points for meetings, and practiced until vague filler words were banished from my vocabulary.

A champion can also help you frame the importance of your work, especially if you’re building new processes in a smaller, growing company where roles are still fluid.

Own the Role Out Loud

Titles aside, your language can cement you as the go-to person You’re already doing the work so start using the language that showcases it.

• In meetings:

  • Thanks for joining. As the lead on this project, my goal for today is to..."

• In an email to a client:

  • "I'll be overseeing the implementation of your new system to ensure everything runs smoothly."

• In a team chat:

  • "For anything related to the Q3 launch, loop me in so I can coordinate”

• When presenting: "Today, I'm going to walk you through the progress my team has made on..."

You’re not asking for permission; you’re owning your contribution. This subtle shift makes your leadership clear to everyone.

Own the Space between titles

Here's the best part: you have a unique opportunity to write your own job description. I once used this exact phase to pivot my role away from tasks I dreaded and toward things I was passionate about. I leveraged my position to get out of chasing clients for overdue payments—I just hated being the "bad guy," even though I knew it was necessary.

Since you’re already over-delivering, use that leverage to volunteer or take over for the stuff you actually want to learn.

• Curious about the financial side of the business? Ask to be involved in the next budget planning cycle.

• Passionate about product development? Offer an operational perspective in roadmap sessions.

• Want to get better at public speaking? Offer to present the team's quarterly results at the next all-hands.

Frame it as a win-win. "Since I’m managing the logistics, I’d love to understand [new area] to better support our goals.”

You get to build skills that make you even more valuable while making your job more fun. You're not just filling a role; you're building it.

What If You're Truly Not Okay With Waiting?

And now for the biggest dose of honesty: it is perfectly okay to not be okay with this situation. If your gut screams there’s a glass ceiling, you have two moves:

Look for a Lateral Move

If you're at a larger company and you like the culture, look for an internal move. Is there another department with more growth potential? A lateral change can often provide more upward mobility in the long run.

Look for a New Job

It is also 100% okay to look elsewhere. Your primary loyalty is to your own career and growth. It's a well-known fact that switching jobs is often the best way to increase your salary.

The 2025 ADP National Employment Report showed that people who switched jobs saw their pay grow by an average of 7%, compared to just 4.5% for those who stayed. Sometimes, the fastest route to growth is a fresh start.

At the end of the day, your title is just words on a screen. The real toolkit you’re assembling—your skills, reputation, and relationships—is what you'll carry with you to every future role. Before long, the official title will match what you have already achieved.