Reinventing yourself

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There are many times over the course of a career where we need to present ourselves differently to how we have always been. That kind of change is often triggered by a change in role or a promotion but it can also be triggered by our wanting to be seen differently. This can be very uncomfortable as it changes our relationship with our once-peers and colleagues.

For anyone who is going through this, I have some tips:

1. Get really clear in your own mind how you want to be from now on, based on your new role and your own personal style. This is most critical, especially if you have been promoted and are now managing or leading people who you worked alongside in the past. It’s you who needs to define and project your new role so that they can adapt to you, rather than playing the office version of the “sidewalk shuffle” where you both second guess each other and end up in an unwelcome, endless dance.
2. Building on point one, you need to be consistent. You are in effect training them to see you differently so that you need to make sure you don’t confuse them by being your old self one day and your new self another.
3. Be open to a wide variety of reactions: some will quickly adapt to the new you and others may comment on or even challenge that change. Consider what is driving their response and what they need from you in terms of reassurance - are they worried that your old relationship won’t survive, for example?
4. Remember that most transformations are not sudden and immediate. Allow yourself and your colleagues time to process the change.
5. Enjoy the process! Evolving and growing is one of the great joys in life. You are becoming a new version of you. Thats something to celebrate and, while you need to be aware of the impact that may have on others, don’t forget to acknowledge the transformation and celebrate all of the hard work that you put in to make it happen.

​It's not always easy to reinvent yourself. Message me if this is something you need support with.