Book Review: Working Identity
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your current career? Are you contemplating a major career shift? If so, then "Working Identity" by Herminia Ibarra is a book that should be #1 on your reading list. And I recommend reading it much earlier in your transition than I did. In this book, Ibarra challenges traditional notions of career switching and offers insights on how to make successful career transitions.
Key Points on Career Shifts
Let me start with my major point. I thought I could plan my way to a new career. Create pro con lists, talk to people, read books, do online quizzes, and I would suddenly see the light and know what I was put on this earth to do.
Turns out career shifts don’t work like that. I was trying the plan-and-implement method, when the right way (which I stumbled on when I launched my coaching business”) is test-and-learn. Reading this book helped me feel less crazy. And I’ve test-and-learned myself into a new career path - more to come on that soon.
To make a successful career shift, the author emphasizes the importance of challenging assumptions, experimenting with different roles, developing new networks, acting your way into a new identity, and embracing uncertainty. It is a long process, taking years, with lots of two steps forward, one step back. Career transitions are about more than just finding a new job or getting a new degree. Instead, Ibarra suggests that people need to create new work identities that align with their changing interests and goals. To do this, they must take an active role in shaping their own careers.
In "Working Identity," Ibarra offers practical advice on how to shift careers successfully. She draws on extensive research and interviews with professionals from a variety of backgrounds to provide insights into the process of making a career shift. The book is well-written and engaging, with real-world examples and actionable tips that can help readers create a fulfilling and meaningful career path.
At the heart of her model is the concept of "possible selves," or the different versions of ourselves that we envision for our professional futures. Figure 8-1 illustrates this process, starting with an exploration of our current selves and the strengths and limitations that come with them. From there, we can envision and experiment with new possible selves, seeking out opportunities to test them out and build new skills. Through this iterative process, we can gradually move towards a new professional identity that aligns with our skills, passions, and values. While the journey may be challenging, Ibarra's model provides a roadmap for navigating career transitions with purpose and intention.
Additional Insights
In addition to the key points on career shifts, the book also touches on the following topics:
The Value of a Diverse Network
Ibarra emphasizes the importance of developing a diverse network to facilitate a successful career transition. A diverse network can introduce new opportunities, help you explore new fields, and provide valuable insights into the job market. I’ve grown my network immensely with other coaches, business owners, and career changers, and look forward to growing the networks in my new industry/functional specialty soon.
The Benefits of Mentors
Mentors play a crucial role in helping people navigate career transitions. Ibarra suggests that people find mentors who can offer guidance and support throughout the transition process. The author provides insights on how to find a good mentor and build a productive mentoring relationship. I’ve already got mentors lined up for the next step!
The Importance of Self-Reflection
To make a successful career shift, the author suggests that people engage in self-reflection. This involves examining their values, interests, and skills to identify what they want in their new career. The book provides exercises and practical advice on how to engage in self-reflection and gain insights into what motivates and drives you.
Takeaways
What did I learn from the book? Experiment! Try things. Go build connections. It is very hard to shed the identity you’ve built for decades (luckily a career break helped me with that). If you’re at all thinking about a big change, I can’t recommend this book enough.
Overall, "Working Identity" is an insightful and thought-provoking book that offers valuable lessons for anyone contemplating a career shift. It provides practical advice on how to create a fulfilling and meaningful work life that aligns with your interests and goals. Whether you are just starting your career or are an experienced professional looking for a change, this book is definitely worth a read.
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