Does Job Title Really Matter? Exploring Its Impact Across Different Cultures and Levels

I am working with an MNC, basically an engineering company. In a meeting with the VP HR, a point was raised by one of our colleagues that: "Between engineers, there should be a difference in designation, i.e., engineers and lead engineers, since there are many lead engineers with different work experience."

The VP HR replied: "Designation only matters in India and a few other countries, but not in the West." Somehow, he turned around saying we are working on it.

Query: Does designation only matter in India? How does it really make a difference if in the same group of managers or at the same level?

Hi Veena,

People are fickle about designations. Don't mind doing the same job. For some, it matters they have a fancy designation - no matter the pay or the role doesn't change. There's always a difference between executive level, managerial level, VP roles. Egos are the same across the world. Maybe role differentiation gives a clear line of authority. Come on, ask a white guy who's on par with you to report under you, all hell will break loose. Unions will come to the roads, and political points will be scored. Remember a couple of years ago, Tata planning to buy Corus and Jaguar - a lot of people claiming that the brands should not go to an Indian company.

In fact, whites are more egoistic and can't tolerate us moving up. The guy's trying to buy your silence. Designation does definitely matter - how do you distinguish between a senior and junior?