Thanks to major shifts in the labor market, workers are switching organizations, functions, and even industries much more frequently than past generations. But as our careers take these dramatic leaps, we ourselves are not wholly reinvented. We often bring pieces of our past work experiences with us, making our work selves more like a palimpsest than a whiteboard that can be wiped clean with each new role. In my published research, I’ve coined the term “lingering identities” to describe these ghostly traces of the past.
When Changing Jobs Changes Your Identity
To find success in your new role, you may need to let go of certain pieces of yourself — and embrace others.
November 02, 2022
Summary.
Studies show that somewhere around half of all new hires fail in their roles, with lack of “fit” being cited as a key reason. In this piece, the author argues that “fit” doesn’t always stem from a fundamental incompatibility, but rather can come from a failure to complete the psychological transition from one identity to another. She explains why nailing this identity leap may be the secret to succeeding in a new role, and offers advice for how to ease the transition.