I hate “titles”.  No, really, I hate them and don’t believe in them.  Ever since 2001, I’ve never really used whatever “title” I’ve had except on business cards my bosses deemed were necessary.  I believe that people will follow you and listen to you from your actions, decisions, and your ability to lead no matter what your “title” is.  Just because you have a “title” doesn’t mean you know what you’re doing.

So one of the things that I do is oversee two inter-facility non-emergency passenger vans which we refer to as shuttles.  Each van has a route with scheduled stops for both passengers and cargo.  For the most part, the routes run themselves as long as the drivers have their correct vehicles, are on their way by a certain time, and as long as the departments in charge of the cargo have it in the pick-up area.

Of course… not everyday goes smoothly as it should… but 99% of the time its not because of my drivers.  So this morning, after another fucked up day yesterday, I decided to speak to one of the guys who is making us run late early in the morning by not getting the cargo where its supposed to be.  So here is the gist of the conversation:

Me: Good morning, I just want to make sure that you guys have the cargo in the pick-up room before 7:00am.

Him: Well we’ll try.

Me: Well, trying isn’t going to keep us ontime.  We have a schedule and need to stick to it, so we really need those items in the room by 7:00am.

Him: And who the hell are you to be telling me what time to have stuff there?

Now at this point, my calm demeanor has changed because at 6:15am… I really don’t need this kind of bullshit.

Me: Who am I?  I am the shuttle commander, and you will respect my authority!

Him: Doh.

So yes… I have decided that my new title is Shuttle Commander.  I don’t think anyone else has claimed that title in my field… so I am definitely the first.  You can call me Commander for short.  I might even get business cards again for it.