Written By Cari Borden

You earned your stripes. Maybe not with a fancy title, but with late nights, high-stakes decisions, and grace under pressure. And yet, here you are, being dismissed, defamed, or steamrolled by someone whose business card carries more weight than their behavior ever could.

Let’s be honest: some people confuse title with entitlement. They treat leadership like a crown to wear, not a responsibility to bear. And when this happens, the impact ripples, through teams, culture, morale, and even mental health.

The Fuzzy Middle: Title ≠ Character

There’s a dangerous gray zone in many organizations, the space where authority blurs into arrogance. It’s where:

• “Director” becomes license to belittle.
• “Manager” becomes permission to micromanage.
• “VP” becomes a pass to be untouchable.

These aren’t job descriptions, they’re power plays when wielded by the wrong hands.

The Red Flags of Entitled Leadership

If you’ve experienced any of these, you’re not imagining it:

• Dismissing input with “that’s above your pay grade.”
• Weaponizing performance feedback to silence or shame.
• Creating “favorites” while sidelining top talent.
• Gaslighting others for simply asking questions or offering ideas.

How to Navigate the Entitlement Fog (Without Losing Your Sanity)

Let’s talk strategy, not sabotage.

1. IRR: Identify. Recognize. Resolve.

• Identify the behavior, not just how it makes you feel, but how it shows up.
• Recognize patterns, is this personal, cultural, or systemic?
• Resolve by deciding your next step: call in, call out, document, or disengage.

2. Use Your SMART Behaviors

• Stand in self-awareness: Know your role, know your rights.
• Maintain integrity: Don’t mirror the toxicity.
• Act with intention: Choose timing and delivery wisely.
• Realign expectations: Document and clarify.
• Take action: Whether it’s a conversation, HR support, or your exit plan—own your power.

3. Call Out the Culture

Not every workplace is ready for emotional intelligence. But that doesn’t mean you have to play the game. Start the conversation. Use your voice. Ask the hard questions, because silence is complicity.

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Final Word:

Leadership is not a throne. It’s a seat at the table where accountability, humility, and emotional intelligence are required. If your organization is full of titles with no substance behind them, remember character is louder than a job title, always.

And if you’re stuck in the gray, reach out. I’ve coached leaders, survivors of toxic workplaces, and those finding the courage to lead with heart, not ego. Let’s build your strategy together. 💬 Find me on Fiverr