Your Job Isn’t What You Think It Is

Author: Igor Alcantara

It’s easy for professionals to define themselves by their job titles. This is not something new. In fact, it is the origin of many family names. If you ever met a Smith, Baker, Fisher, Taylor, Miller, Chapman, or Potter, you know what I am talking about. When asked "who are you", most people will start with their name followed by their job title. These comes before marital status, parenthood status, place of birth or any other fact that defines you. For something so important, do we really understand what our job is about, or do we just get it all wrong?

We become programmers, analysts, engineers, accountants, designers, or managers, and we often let those titles dictate not just what we do, but how we see ourselves. Yet, beneath the surface of every profession lies a deeper, more profound purpose, one that is often overlooked in the daily grind of tasks, deadlines, and deliverables.

The Trap of the Job Description

Ask a room full of professionals what they do, and most will answer with their job title. “I’m a software engineer.” “I’m a data analyst.” “I’m an accountant.” These responses are accurate, but they’re also incomplete. They describe what someone is called, not what they truly do or why their work matters.

This narrow focus can be limiting. When we see our work solely through the lens of our job description, we risk missing the bigger picture: the problems we solve, the people we help, and the value we create. We become technicians rather than thinkers, task-doers rather than problem-solvers.

A recent study shows that less than half of employees feel that their manager understand their value and contributions. A Gallup's survey from a little over a year ago shows that about 1/3 of employees feel less engaged with their company mission and they don't understand what their purpose in the organization is. An increasing number of employees are unclear of what is expected of them. The disconnection between what you think your job is to what really is becomes more problematic as the world rapidly changes.

Does it matter at all? It does and more than you think. Have you noticed that in the last decade more and more low-ranking workers are being called "managers"? It does not mean more people are in managing position nor it affects one's income, it is just a name. They are not really managing anything. However, multiple studies on Authority Bias found that customers are more likely to feel satisfied when they think they spoke to a manager. They feel they "skipped the line", that they are important. It is called the Karen Effect. Well, not really, i just call it that, but let's agree it would be a great name. It is not even limited to job titles, easily pronounced names may make people more likable (maybe that's why I am not very likable), product names matter, and the list goes on.

The Power of Purpose: Looking Beyond the Surface

Consider the role of a programmer. On the surface, their job is to write code. But what is the real purpose behind those lines of code? It might be to build tools that make people’s lives easier, to automate tedious processes, or to enable new forms of communication and creativity. The most impactful programmers and the ones not easily replaced by AI are those who see themselves not just as coders, but as creators of solutions, enablers of progress, and stewards of technology’s potential.

The same applies to an accountant. Beyond balancing books and preparing financial statements, an accountant safeguards the financial health of organizations, ensures transparency, and enables informed decision-making. Their deeper role is to be a trusted advisor and a guardian of integrity.

A data analyst who spends their days working with Qlik might describe their job as creating dashboards or preparing tabular reports for different departments. But beneath the surface, their work is about making sense of scattered information and helping others see patterns they might otherwise miss. The real task isn’t just to present data, but to help the business to make data-driven decisions.

Systems Thinking: Connecting the Dots

A few years ago, when I was visiting a customer in Boston, I was surprised to notice a small sign on the receptionist’s desk that read “Manager of First Impressions.” It was a simple change in title, but it captured something essential that often goes unnoticed: the receptionist wasn’t just answering phones or greeting visitors. She was shaping every visitor’s initial perception of the company. That sign made visible the real weight of the role, reminding everyone who passed through the lobby that first impressions are not accidental, but carefully managed and deeply influential.

One reason professionals fall into the job title trap is a lack of systems thinking. We’re trained to specialize, to become experts in our narrow domains. But true effectiveness comes from understanding how our work fits into the larger system and how our tasks connect to broader goals and outcomes.

A data analyst, for example, might spend their days crunching numbers and building dashboards. But the real impact of their work comes from how those insights drive strategic decisions, improve products, or help organizations adapt to change. When they see the bigger picture, analysts can ask better questions, spot hidden opportunities, and make more meaningful contributions.

It’s often said that if you asked a worker on the Notre-Dame construction site in the 12th century what they were doing, they wouldn’t reply, “I’m stacking stones.” Instead, they would say, “I’m building a cathedral.” This subtle shift in perspective highlights the difference between seeing one’s work as a series of tasks and recognizing it as part of a much larger, meaningful vision. There is not much evidence that this actually happened but the idea behind it is very powerful.

Meaningful Work: The Key to Fulfillment

Research consistently shows that people find the most satisfaction at work when they see their efforts as meaningful. It’s not just about the paycheck or the prestige of a title. It’s about making a difference, growing as a person, and being part of something larger than oneself, as described in a famous MIT article.

This sense of meaning often emerges when professionals connect their daily activities to their deeper values and aspirations. A designer who sees their work as a way to inspire, delight, or empower others will approach their craft with more passion and creativity than one who simply “makes things look nice.” A Dashboard designer who understands their role as increasing adoption to the company's data-driven strategy is much more likely to succeed. A manager who views their role as developing people and fostering a positive culture will have a far greater impact than one who just oversees tasks.

Careers are no longer linear paths with predictable milestones. Today’s professionals must navigate a dynamic landscape, adapting to new technologies, industries, and ways of working. In this environment, it’s essential to see your career as a journey of growth and contribution, not just a checklist of roles and responsibilities.

Ask yourself: How am I developing new skills? How am I helping others succeed? How does my work contribute to the greater good? When you focus on growth and impact, rather than just job titles, you’ll be better equipped to thrive in a changing world.

The Human Side of Work

Work is not just about tasks and transactions, it’s about people, relationships, and community. The concept of “decent work” encompasses dignity, purpose, and well-being. When professionals see their roles as opportunities to connect, support, and uplift others, work becomes a source of fulfillment, not just a means to an end.

Consider the story of Rachel, a project manager at a tech company. For years, she saw her job as keeping projects on track and teams on schedule. But when she began mentoring junior colleagues and championing diversity initiatives, she discovered a new sense of purpose. Her work became more than just managing timelines; it became about building a better workplace and helping others grow.

The same happened to me when I realized, when acting as an educator (one of my many "titles") I was working to impact people's lives, give them a larger perspective of things and empower them to reach their full potential. It is a humble contribution for a better future. Once I realized that, I understood my job was way beyond teaching, it was aligned to mentoring, encouraging and inspiring. As a director of Data Science, I see my role as the one who will look outside of the box and help driving innovation, moving the company forward.

Right after I left the medical school, at the beginning of my career in data I came to my manager with a problem, and he asked me "ok, how you solved this?" but I did not have an answer to that. His reply changed my perspective and career: "I do not pay you to bring me problems, that is what customers are for. I pay you to give me solutions".

You’re not hired for what you do. You’re hired for what you change.

What can you do to bridge the Gap

Bridging the gap between what your job appears to be and what it truly is requires more than just reflection. It demands a conscious effort to look beyond daily routines and connect with the deeper purpose of your work. I challenge you to pause and reconsider how you define your role, not just for yourself but for those around you. Are you simply completing tasks, or are you contributing to something larger? Take a moment to explore these questions:

• What problems am I really solving in my role?

• Who benefits from my work, and how?

• What values do I bring to my profession?

• How can I grow and help others grow through my work?

Don’t settle for the surface-level answer. Dig deeper and seek out the broader impact of what you do. When actively engaging with these prompts, you not only gain a clearer sense of your true contribution but also open the door to greater fulfillment and influence in your professional life. The challenge is yours: redefine your job, and in doing so, reshape your sense of purpose at work.

The real job of any professional is not just to execute tasks or fulfill a job description, but to understand and embrace the deeper purpose and impact of their work. When you look beyond job titles, adopt a systems perspective, and seek meaning in daily activities, you can find greater fulfillment and make more significant contributions to your organization and society.

Sometimes a title can spark real transformation. When Qlik gave me the title of Social Ambassador my closest friends couldn't help but laugh. I was anything but social. Yet, if you give me a challenge, I will pour myself into it and strive for excellence. At first, I didn't feel I deserved the title. But I took it as an opportunity. I study what it meant, learned how to connect with people, worked on being more present, and focused on inspiring others. Over time, I grew into the role and can now say I've truly earned it.

Other times, you find yourself doing the work long before any official title exists. Before "Data Science" or "Education" were even recognized roles at IPC Global, I was already leading these efforts. Not because I was asked but because I understood what my real job was. The real lesson is this: don’t let a title define or limit you. Instead, when the moment is right, let a title be the catalyst that drives you, and those around you, toward meaningful change.

Inspired by my friend Dalton Ruer, Data Cathedral Architect & Chief Question Officer, I will leave a challenge for you. Considering what you really do, how would you name your job title? How would you retitle the employees of your company to better reflect their talents and contributions? Why not make that change?

So, the next time someone asks what you do, think beyond the title. Consider the difference you make, the lives you touch, and the legacy you’re building. That’s your real job, and it’s far more interesting than any title on a business card.