As a noun, a chief is a leader or person in charge of a group, tribe, or organization. As an adjective, “chief” means main or most important.
“Chief” comes from Old French “chef,” meaning “head” or “leader,” from Latin “caput,” meaning “head.” The word has long linked physical “headness” with leadership and importance.
Chief is a cousin of words like “capital,” “captain,” and “decapitate”—all built from the Latin for “head.” We keep reusing this body part as a metaphor for being in charge. When you say “chief reason,” you’re literally saying “the head reason.”
'Chief' has been used both for Indigenous leaders and for hierarchical roles like 'chief executive,' historically filled mainly by men. Many leadership titles assumed male incumbents, contributing to the idea that authority is male by default.
Use 'chief' only where it is the correct formal title or a chosen role name; avoid stereotypical or caricatured uses (especially regarding Indigenous peoples), and don’t assume a chief’s gender.
["leader","head","director","principal"]
When discussing leadership, include examples of women and nonbinary chiefs and executives whose roles challenge stereotypes about who holds top positions.
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