Who Am I? Does Knowing This Really Matter in Career Transition and Beyond?

Props to my friend JC Glick for inspiring today's article. His recent post asking "Who are you really?" got me thinking...

Understanding "who you are" matters for career and life journey success. Articulating it in a way that is interesting and valuable to others is invaluable. Acknowledging that despite your own definition, others will define you as they see fit. Being OK with all this is critical.

Like most folks, I've generally defined myself in terms of social or work roles: dad, husband, son; leader, executive, teammate, coach, advisor, elected official, and so forth. I've also defined myself in other terms - activator, achiever, relator, realtor, planner, strategist, connector, and others. Like many others, some of my definitions focus on my not-so-positive characteristics (but I'll keep those to myself for this article).

Over time, I’ve come to consider myself a tapestry.

Many shapes, colors, textures, experiences, capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, preferences, pet peeves and so forth.

Woven together over time. Shaped by challenge, opportunity, wins, losses, grit, purpose, questions, good decisions and bad.

Some areas more vibrant than others. Some more worn. Parts that pop in the sunshine. Parts more apparent in the shade.

Overall appealing to some. Not so much for others.

Complimentary to some decor. Thoroughly out of place for others.

My design and appearance always evolving; subject to the world’s influence. Checking my paradigms. Refining my perspectives. Evolving my value.

But always me.

That's my view...but so what? What value does that add to others? How does it help me thrive and survive along my career and life journeys?

This abstract definition is a conceptual framework from which I launch more concrete descriptions to connect with people and opportunities. Need a coach to help navigate your journey? Yep, those threads are in my tapestry. Seeking someone to help make sense of things and drive progress? I have those too. Looking for someone to connect people and things? Bingo. The list goes on and on. Want an experienced electrical engineer experienced in developing commercially viable electric propulsion systems in the personal vehicle space. Nope. Not a single thread in this tapestry.

As I engage with others, I try diligently to understand their perspective, wants and needs. To connect with them I look at my tapestry and pull out threads that seem most relevant, to weave a true, authentic image that aligns with what I understand to be their wants and needs.

Does all this matter in career transition and beyond? You bet it does!

Connecting with others leads to opportunities. Developing those connections (and related opportunities) happens when you are able to present yourself in a genuine, authentic, understandable way that aligns with others.

Beyond connections, knowing who you are enables you to assess your situation and how well it aligns with your life plan.

Do yourself a solid; invest the time and energy to answer the "Who Am I?" question.

Be well my friends. Keep up the fire.