DANGER: has your job become your identity?

Overview
This article reflects on the Netflix series Severance and the warning it offers about letting your professional role define your personal identity. It explores how modern work cultures can blur the line between job and self, and offers guidance for leaders to protect their teams from identity erosion.

Key Takeaways

• Be aware of the psychological risks when employees tie their self-worth to their job title or performance.
• Foster a culture that values people beyond their output, encouraging diverse interests and personal growth.
• Implement policies that separate work identity from personal identity, such as clear work-life boundaries and supportive mental-health resources.
• Leaders should model healthy detachment from work to set a sustainable example.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers and technical leaders navigating high-pressure environments.
• CTOs and senior executives shaping organizational culture.
• Individual contributors concerned about burnout and identity loss.
• HR professionals designing employee wellbeing programs.

Frameworks and Methodologies
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