When you hear the word “Engineer” you immediately have an image in your mind.

When you hear “Sales Manager” or “CEO” or “VP of Operations” you cannot help but jump to an image.   


An individual’s title is not the individual. A title is just a temporary label. 


You can’t assume the reasons why people are doing what they do.


I know an Engineer today who will be a CEO in a few years, so he is really a Leader.

I know a CEO who will jump into building restaurants, so he is really a Food Service Entrepreneur. 

I know a Sales Manager who will found a new orthopedic company, so he is really an Inventor and Entrepreneur. 

I know a VP of Operations who will found a school in a few years, so she is really an Educator. 



During an interview, to better understand the individual, don’t ask about past skills and experience and don’t ask what they are you doing today?  

Instead ask…  

What drives you?

What do you spend your free time on outside work?

What big change do you want to make?


Thoughts? tiger@tigerbuford.com