shot-callers
Those in charge
Shot-callers are the people who make decisions and give orders—the ones with real authority in a group or organization.
The term comes from pool, where calling your shot means announcing what you intend to do.
In prison slang, shot-callers run gangs or cell blocks.
More broadly, it describes anyone wielding power: The real shot-callers in Washington aren't always the elected officials.
Those with choosing power
- bossesManagers or raised studs
- executivesSenior corporate officers
- directorsThose who lead organizations
- commandersMilitary authority figures
chiefs · heads · captains · leaders · managers · kingpins · power-brokers · higher-ups
Those who instruct athletes
- quarterbacksFootball's primary passers
- managersThose who oversee operations
- pitchersSpouted pouring vessels
- catchersThose who seize
setters · playmakers · veterans · closers · aces · leaders · strategists
Dominant figures in organizations
- donsPuts on attire
- godfathersMale baptismal sponsors
- caposCrime bosses or guitar clamps
- underbossesMafia second-in-commands
ringleaders · enforcers · lieutenants · commissary · gangsters · narcos · mafia · triads
Highest corporate officers
- foundersThose who begin institutions
- entrepreneursThose who launch ventures
- stakeholdersThose with investment in outcome
- investorsThose who commit capital
chairpersons · presidents · partners · dealmakers · tycoons · moguls · magnates · industrialists
decision-makers
Those with choosing power
- bossesManagers or raised studs
- executivesSenior corporate officers
- directorsThose who lead organizations
commanders · chiefs · heads · captains · leaders · managers · kingpins · power-brokers · higher-ups · bigwigs
coaches
Those who instruct athletes
- quarterbacksFootball's primary passers
- managersThose who oversee operations
- pitchersSpouted pouring vessels
catchers · setters · playmakers · veterans · closers · aces · leaders · strategists
kingpins
Dominant figures in organizations
- donsPuts on attire
- godfathersMale baptismal sponsors
- caposCrime bosses or guitar clamps
underbosses · ringleaders · enforcers · lieutenants · commissary · gangsters · narcos · mafia · triads · yakuza
CEOs
Highest corporate officers
- foundersThose who begin institutions
- entrepreneursThose who launch ventures
- stakeholdersThose with investment in outcome
investors · chairpersons · presidents · partners · dealmakers · tycoons · moguls · magnates · industrialists · rainmakers
shot-callerssubordinates
Those ranked below
underlings · minions · followers · foot soldiers · lackeys
shot-callerspuppets
Figures manipulated for performance
tools · figureheads · instruments · cogs · stooges
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