Identity is an Inside Job
Feb 09, 2025
Ever wonder why some people still feel unfulfilled even after achieving their dream job title or corner office?
For many years, Dr. Maxwell Maltz had a flourishing practice as a reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgeon. Patients came from far and wide for scar removal and to “look better” so they would “feel better” about themselves.
The prevalent thought was that a more fulfilling and meaningful life—think identity—would be theirs as Dr. Maltz removed the scar, shortened the nose, or tucked the chin. However, Dr. Maltz found something quite different. Many patients continued to feel unhappy, unworthy and experience personal insecurities no matter how perfectly he operated. These poor identity traits were not cured from surgery, even though the patients and Dr. Maltz believed they would feel happy when he gave them the perfect new faces they desired.
Dr. Maltz realized that identity involved more, much more. He was inspired to move from treating “outer scars” to “inner scars.” He developed a psychology of what he called “psycho-cybernetics.” “Cybernetics” comes from a Greek word that means “a helmsman who steers the ship to port.” Psycho-Cybernetics is a term Dr. Maltz coined which means, “Steering your mind to a productive, useful goal . . . so you can reach the greatest port in the world: peace of mind.”
To put it another way, Dr. Maltz realized that identity involves making peace with yourself about who you are. Identity is an inside job that catalyzes your whole self.
The culture in which you work either supports or roadblocks your identity’s development in a significant way. After all, you’re at work for 70% of your waking hours. A belonging @ work culture that shifts to a better awareness of work, on teams that collaborate, then catalyzes identity growth empowers every single person to do amazing work. This growth extends beyond people development to company profits.
Jermaine, a customer service team lead, transformed his team through "Identity Moments." Team meetings began with people sharing what truly mattered to them including beyond work and yet looping back into work. Rochelle's passion for teaching sparked a new training program. Francie's environmental concerns launched a company-wide recycling initiative. Hector's family focus birthed an in-house childcare project.
Culture transformation that emphasizes belonging @ work reflects identity transformation. A manufacturing company implemented "Wisdom Wednesdays," where team members taught their expertise. Result? Internal promotion rates jumped 45% in one year.
Do the math. Tens of thousands of dollars saved from a search, onboarding, and assimilation process. PLUS employees grew.
The key to team members experiencing greater belonging @ work through identity formation is to constantly nurture identity. It takes more than annual reviews. Positive work culture leaders create "Feedback Loops" which are systematic ways to give and receive input that shape identity continuously. Daily check-ins, weekly pulse surveys, and monthly deep dives keep the growth constant.
Want to measure your work identity perspective? Rate these on a scale of 1-10:
- How much is your work "have-to" or “get-to?”
- What are your top 3 motivators for why you work?
- What does your work say about who you are and the meaning it gives your life?
Your answers reveal whether your work culture catalyzes or constrains identity growth.
Belonging @ work catalyzes identity as you bring your authentic, whole self to work. As organizations care about what their employees care about, innovation rates soar by as much as 70%.
Work culture can catalyze identity which accelerates belonging @ work that team members experience. A stronger belonging @ work quotient creates a positive work culture that grows people and profits.
What does your company culture need to do to shift to more of a belonging @ work initiative that catalyzes identity?
Taken from Dr. Joey’s soon-to-be-released book, Belonging @ Work: 5 Shifts that S.T.I.C.K. a Positive Culture.
What’s your question about how to create a positive work culture? Ask Dr. Joey here.
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