This is such a great question about the need to change identity.
So often playing to our strengths is the better path.
However, like many situations, it’s not an either or. Or it’s full of grey areas or however you want to think of it.
I’ll share an example from my own life.
I think I’m naturally goal oriented and self-improvement oriented. Those are things that have always clicked for me.
But at some point, my goals were held back by being deferential and passive.
There was a point in my career where I didn’t always feel comfortable looking my boss in the eyes.
And that slowly got better, until I went to raise money and a bunch of investors told me I was too soft to be a CEO.
So, I put serious work into finding a new version of my identity that acted from a stronger, more confident base. It definitely feels like a striking change at a deep level.
But it was also an authentic change, because the desire was driven by other parts of my identity.
What are the lessons then?
- You don’t have to change.
- If you do, do it for intrinsic reasons.
