What’s in a (Nick)Name?

“Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title.”

— Thomas Paine

What do you think about nicknames? Have you ever given someone a nickname? Did they know? Did that nickname carry a positive, negative, or neutral theme? What was your motivation behind this gesture of labeling?

Have you been graced with a nickname? Was it earned or assigned? Was it kind or critical? Was it used to support and recognize your strengths or to intimidate?

• How do you feel about nicknames?

• What nickname would you claim for yourself?

• Have you ever given yourself a nickname that was aspirational, one that represented a reputation that you intended to achieve and subsequently did?

You might ask, “Why all the curiosity about nicknames, Les?”

I like nicknames. I use them as affectionate monikers of positivity. My motivation is to give them as gifts of encouragement and to lessen any imposed hierarchical or power-based system of titles. I respect all the different power systems I move through every day. However, I am not too attached to titles and often challenge diminishing labels and generalizations that condemn. A respected colleague once shared, “Words create Worlds, Leslie” I have been especially careful in my use of language ever since.

Yes, I even give myself a nickname based on how I am behaving in a particular situation. This week I embraced several. Some fit perfectly — others made me a little uncomfortable.

Here are three of my nicknames.

1. Sherpa Guide. This was self-assigned in my early years in business, long before people were dropping tradition titles for more descriptive ways of explain their role and responsibilities. I am still a Sherpa Guide — but older and staying at base camp

2. Voodo Queen. Assigned to me this week by a client who thinks my diagnosis and observation skills make me an insightful prognosticator.

3. Stuff-Stirrer. Assigned to me by me and based on the work I do when I am shaking things up.

I have learned that some people don’t like nicknames. I respect those feelings and boundaries. If I offer you a nickname, please know that it comes from a pure heart and simply reflects the affection and respect I have for you.

It is my way of communicating, “I see you.”

At the end of the day, I will hold on to nicknames given with kindness, set aside those meant to disapprove, and live into the ones I intentionally want to become. I have given, claimed, and been assigned nicknames, I embrace them all.

And now I sign off using one of my favorite and most apt:

“Sgt. Mary Poppins”

Leslie

“Everybody had nicknames when I was a kid. Our name was Supman,
and people always pronounced it Soupman or called me Soupbone.

Kids had nicknames in those days like Slim or Tiny or Dutch or Fatso.
So when I went to Cincinnati in 1950,
they changed my name to Soupy Sales.”

— Soupy Sales

“I love nicknames. It makes me feel loved.
It makes me feel less alone in this world.”

— Elliot Page