Can you have more than one professional identity?
A newsletter for the ambitious seeking clarity, confidence and focus in their work. By Ellen Donnelly, certified Coach and Founder of The Ask®. Can you have more than one professional identity?Exploring the third option in the 'Generalist' v 'Specialist' debate: The Hybrid professional. An interview with Dr Sarabeth Berk. Part 2 of 2.Hola from Colombia! I am here for one month working remotely and currently set up in a very nice co-working space called Semilla in Laureles, Medellin. Life’s good right now. In the last newsletter edition, I wrote exploring the question of whether it’s better to be a Generalist or Specialist in your career. Both perspectives were given their weight along with the help of well-known figures like David Epstein, Emilie Wapnick and Liam Neeson (!?). This topic received a lot of interest and many of you readers consider yourself to be in the generalist camp — as evidenced further by the comments on my LinkedIn post. But before you run away with your professional identity bestowed upon you… allow me to introduce to you a third option. The Hybrid Professional. Professional ‘hybridity’ is term popularised by Dr Sarabeth Berk, whose research, consulting, writing and speaking on the topic has been widely shared in career development and personal branding circles. Sarabeth and I met via this newsletter. Upon hearing about her line of work I knew we needed her perspectives pronto. And so, it was my pleasure to interview Sarabeth and learn what the Hybrid professional identity is and understand the role is plays in carving your career path. Introduction time…Dr. Sarabeth Berk is the leading expert on hybrid professional identity, and is a hybrid professional herself. Her ‘hybrid title’ is Creative Disruptor — working at the intersection of being an artist, researcher, educator, and designer. She was featured in Forbes, is a TEDx speaker and author of More Than My Title. She has a PhD from the University of Denver, and degrees from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Rhode Island School of Design. Sarabeth’s research developed a one-of-a-kind approach that takes personal branding and career development to a whole new level. Ever since she’s been helping professionals to discover and articulate their true professional identity and unique value in the workforce. Enabling them to feel more seen and empowered as well as supporting teams to better recognise one another as more than their job titles. Thus valuing the critical (yet different) roles of experts, generalists, and hybrids in the workforce.
How would you describe what it means to be a hybrid professional?Hybrid professionals are a type of professional identity that’s been hidden. They might call themselves a hybrid title like “biogeochemical engineer” or “bizdevops strategist”, or say they’re an entrepreneur who works at the intersection of psychology, technology, and climate activism. Until now, we’ve mislabeled these people as jack-of-all-trades. The key idea to understand is that someone with a hybrid professional identity doesn’t wear many hats. Instead, they literally merge their best work identities together and work at the intersection of them. It’s like eating Asian fusion cuisine where different flavours blend together into something new. This is why a hybrid professional defies language and categorization. They don’t fit into a box. To fully understand this concept, it’s important to realise there are three types of professional identity in the workforce: singularity, multiplicity, and hybridity. All three types matter in forming high-performing teams and companies, and people need to be able to explain which professional identity they are, and why. The three professional identities:
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Is it better to be a Generalist or Specialist in your Career?
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Exploring the swathes of research and advice on the topic in a bid to get to the bottom of a long-held debate. Part 1 of 2.
How to commit and follow through on your career and business goals (continued)
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Overcoming the focus and execution challenges that sit between you and your biggest goals. Part 2 of a 2-part series.
How to commit and follow through on your career and business goals
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
An essay on finding the necessary conviction to pursue what you SAY you most want in your career and relentlessly execute upon it. Part 1 of a 2 part series.
What makes a career ‘entrepreneurial’?
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
I explain what I mean by coaching people pursuing 'entrepreneurial careers' along with some frameworks for climbing a different career ladder.
How to carve a career path on your own terms
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
When embarking on an unchartered career path you are taking the road less travelled (risk) for a greater sense of fulfilment (reward). Use these 6 steps to get the process right.
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