Leverage a New Identity: Part I - Overcome Feelings of Identity and Status Loss

Fostering deep trust in ourselves and our vision for the next decade—or even the next two to three decades—is vital. As we approach our executive encore phase, it’s important to give ourselves adequate time to reflect on what inspires us while directly confronting our expectations and fears.

Many of us encounter a significant challenge reconciling our previous professional identities with our aspirations for the next phase. There is a palpable fear of "loss of identity and status".

Reclaiming Identity: Beyond Titles and Professional Labels

Detaching from a title or professional designation can be difficult, particularly after investing significant effort to achieve it. Although many individuals have come to realize that their identity extends beyond these titles, "career women" have historically relied on work-related and professional labels to validate their power and credibility in addition to their other important roles.

Reflect on how you introduce yourself at networking or social events. Over the years, you’ve crafted your introduction into a refined pitch that closely ties your identity to your profession. This continuous effort to harmonize who we are with what we do often leads us to view our job titles as tidy representations of our identities. The push to develop unique selling propositions (USPs) complicates the relationship between our self-identity and professional roles.

Today's blog is devoted to those who struggle to reclaim their identity beyond their titles and professional labels.

The RAISEC System: A Path to Self-Discovery in Your Executive Encore

The RAISEC system provides an insightful framework for exploring and understanding our professional inclinations, personal strengths, and interests. Grounded in the study of personality and career trajectories, this system classifies individuals into six distinct types: Realistic, Artistic, Investigative, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. By utilizing these categories, the RAISEC system encourages us to look beyond traditional job titles and focus on the fundamental traits that define our authentic selves. Embracing this model can help unravel the complexities of professional identity, empowering us to align our aspirations with our true nature. It encourages us to pause and reflect, helping us discover our unique paths. This process deepens our connection with our ambitions and potential, ultimately guiding us toward self-actualization.

You might recall engaging in a similar assessment during your high school guidance classes to help shape your career or post-secondary academic choices. The RAISEC framework now serves as a valuable tool for navigating your executive encore decisions, whether contemplating a career refresh or exploring post-corporate interests in search of a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Today, I will focus on the "Enterprising" category—individuals who excel in persuasion.

Enterprising - Persuaders: Leading with Influence

In my experience coaching senior women executives, business owners, and professionals, I have identified two recurring patterns among this demographic.

Firstly, some individuals have a strong sense of identity tied to their roles and titles, experiencing a profound sense of loss when transitioning into their executive encore phase. They derive great satisfaction from influencing and leading others. Conversely, others feel a remarkable sense of liberation, eagerly seeking the freedom and opportunity to redefine their identities beyond mere professional titles and fully embrace their diverse and complementary interests. 

If you identify with the "Enterprising" type—Persuaders—you possess a remarkable ability to influence through your words. You value prestige, power, material possessions, and social status. Your enthusiasm and boldness shine through, and you thrive in leadership roles. While you may have adopted a task-oriented approach to achieve success in your career, you now become increasingly impatient with detail-oriented tasks. As a change agent who enjoys persuading others to embrace your perspective, you prioritize action over contemplation.

Leveraging Enterprising Strengths: Unleashing Potential with New Choices

How can you leverage your interest type, expertise, and experience during your executive encore phase? Consider exploring consulting, coaching, or mentoring roles where your persuasive abilities can help guide others and foster positive change. Alternatively, you might pursue sales, politics, or public speaking opportunities, allowing you to share your insights and inspire others through your words and ideas.

Two powerful pursuits that can leverage your decades of professional experience and accumulated expertise are:

1. Become an Entrepreneur: Embracing the life of a micro-entrepreneur can lead to a balanced and fulfilling executive encore lifestyle.
2. Become a Board Member: Your experience and influence can significantly impact the non-profit and corporate sectors. Whether you serve as a compensated board member or volunteer, the prestige, power, and social status accompanying these roles will significantly enrich your journey toward self-actualization.

Embracing Transformation: Letting Go of the Old to Welcome the New

Remember, your [past] professional title does not define you; it is merely one aspect of your identity and should not limit your potential for growth and fulfillment in your executive encore phase. Embrace your diverse interests, expertise, skills, and experiences to remaster your life and work in your executive encore phase. Reflect on your values, aspirations, and talents as you redefine your identity on your terms. With determination and an open mind, you can take charge of your life and work during this empowering period of growth and purpose.

The key is discovering how to continue utilizing and leveraging your strengths and passions while welcoming new challenges and opportunities. Avoid limiting yourself by clinging to a title or identity that may have once served you as an employee of an organization. Instead, cultivate a clear vision of who you want to become and forge a new identity and path that aligns with your current needs, desires, and aspirations that excite you.

Your Next Steps

Contact me here for more information and valuable resources for the following:

• RAISEC assessment and coaching
• Accelerator programs and coaching programs for entrepreneurs and micro-entrepreneurs. 
• Competent Board Inc. training program referral
• EmpowerHer Excellence and the Executive Encore coaching programs for women executives, business owners, and professionals

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Listen to the podcast and watch interviews on YouTube with women continuing to contribute their leadership skills in their Executive Encore.

Are you ready to commit to making your Executive Encore the most incredible performance of your life? Contact Maestro to inquire about our Executive Encore programs. Let's remaster your encore phase, create a symphony, and celebrate the rhythm of life!

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