The Unseen Lever of Success: Your Identity

The most potent yet overlooked lever of success lies in the conscious realization and cultivation of two fundamental identities: the individual and the collective.

The first dimension is your individual identity, which every leader must delve into deeply, asking:

• Who do I believe I am?
• Who must I come to think of myself as in order to lead exceptionally well at my level, the next level, and at this time in the history of our company and the world?

The second dimension extends to the collective identity of the organization, where a leader, particularly in roles such as a CEO or executive, must foster a shared vision and understanding by asking:

• Who are we as a team or organization?
• What is our current collective belief about who we are?
• Who do we need to believe we are to reach our growth and next-level goals?

An illustration of this identity work can be seen in the leadership of Lou Gerstner Jr., the Chairman and CEO of IBM from 1993 to 2002. Under his guidance, IBM underwent a monumental shift in identity. Gerstner Jr. challenged the existing belief that IBM was merely a computer parts company, steering it to embrace a new identity as “a services company that, by the way, just happens to have some computer parts.” This shift in perception, fueled by a redefined collective identity, was a cornerstone in IBM’s journey to resurgence and success.

To lead well, it is imperative to make these dual dimensions of identity conscious.

By fostering a deep understanding of these dual identities, leaders pave the way for a culture of self-aware and visionary individuals, creating the future they expect to find.

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