Matching Personal Identity with Organizational Identity

In terms of core beliefs, values, and other descriptions of a person’s character; it is important for an individual’s identity to match with their organization's identity. This is the case because part of working within in an organization is taking on their beliefs and practices. If a company does business in an unethical way, then you will be part of an unethical identity and there is a chance you will also take part in unethical acts. If this conflicts with your own identity, then you may experience an identity crisis. The more you act in a way different from your own perceived character, the lower your self-worth will become. This is because you are not living up to the identity you see yourself as. As your self-worth or self-esteem lowers, communication may as well. You may begin to resent your job or the other workers there and your job performance may slip as a result. Ethics are always a “hot-button” topic but more subtle identity differences could just as easily affect a person. For instance, if your identity values being heard and part of the decision making process and you work in company with a very autocratic leadership; then you will face a similar identity crisis.

I had an experience where my personal identity clashed with the organization I was working for. One summer I worked in a telemarketing office attempting to solicit sales appointments for a home meat delivery company. I had a feeling going in that I would not like the company’s business practices but I just needed a summer job. A huge part of my identity is respecting other people’s privacy and their rights to be left alone. Quickly the job began to drain me because I would get yelled at for not keeping people on the line longer and pestering them into an appointment. My job performance was not good at all because I did not believe in what I was doing. It would be one thing if I even believed in the product, but I kept hearing countless stories about how much of a scam the actual service was. I already hated bothering people that did not ask for it and then I certainly did not feel comfortable essentially lying to them about how great the product was. I did not last long at the job because I eventually quit. I was having an identity crisis and I was scared that if I continued to work there long enough my self-worth would just continue to drop.

The lessons I learned from my short stint in the telemarketing business have shaped the way I sought after jobs since and will continue to in the future. I have a high opinion of myself and the core beliefs, attitudes, etc. that make up my identity. It is not so much that I need to show others the strength of my character; rather I need to prove it to myself. I am my own worst critic and I am the one that has to live with myself day to day, minute by minute. If I feel that I am not living up to the identity in my personal or professional life, I am the one that gives the constant reminder. In terms of maintaining a high self-esteem and a high self-worth, I need to partake in actions that fall in line with the standards of my identity. I am not perfect by any stretch but I live with the shame of my mistakes everyday just as I live with the satisfaction of my triumphs.