Oct 13, 2026 · 53 min
Executives should chase impact, not titles
Never Chase a Title (and what you should chase) | Kelly O. Kay
Career mobility creates more opportunities, but choosing roles for status or money can undermine results, reputation, and long-term optionality.
- 1Choose executive roles that fit your skills, responsibilities, and desired life rather than pursuing the highest title.
- 2Build career optionality through relationships, but stay long enough to create measurable accomplishments before moving on.
- 3Strong candidates frame their experience around a company’s specific problem and demonstrate adaptability, curiosity, integrity, and rapid learning.
Don't miss
Ryan Hanley reflects on a career move driven by ego and title chasing, while Kelly O. Kay explains how accountability and learning can repair the damage.
The brief
Kelly O. Kay and Ryan Hanley examine why faster-moving executive careers make money, titles, and constant change tempting—and potentially dangerous.
Kay argues that the right role depends on skills, responsibilities, and desired lifestyle, not simply whether a position carries the CEO label.
Career optionality requires maintaining outside relationships, but executives also need to stay long enough to deliver results rather than remain hired only on potential.
The conversation turns to a bad move driven by ego and title chasing, showing how accountability, time, and clearly articulated lessons can help repair reputational damage.
For today’s executive candidates, the decisive question is how their experience solves a company’s specific problem—and whether they show curiosity, agility, and integrity.
Books & mentions
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Easy Mode
Ryan Hanley’s upcoming book extends the conversation into redesigning the architecture of life and business.
Show Up to Win
Kelly O. Kay’s related podcast continues her focus on executive careers and leadership advice.
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