Identity is not something we merely possess—it's something we practice, invest in, and ultimately generate. This framework explores four fundamental processes of identity formation and expression in professional contexts:
The active practice of presence and authenticity in our work. This isn't about passive existence, but conscious engagement with who we are in each moment.
We learn who we are in practice, not in theory. - Herminia Ibarra
The dynamic relationship between individual and community, between self and profession. Belonging isn't merely membership—it's active participation in and contribution to our chosen communities.
<aside> Unlike passive "identifying as," belonging requires investment, engagement, and reciprocity.
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The continuous process of professional growth and identity development. This isn't about arriving at a fixed destination, but embracing ongoing transformation.
Beyond merely consuming or adopting identities, we must ultimately generate new possibilities—for ourselves and others. "Begetting" deliberately invokes a more profound sense of creation than modern alternatives: