The GIVE model of positive identity explains four of the most common ways a person might respond positively to the question, ‘Who are you?’ at work i.e., you can use it to construct positive self-meaning. Our self-narratives can tap into our 4 selves: growing self, integrated self, virtuous self, and esteemed self.
Growing Self: In your self-narrative, you may highlight that you are aspirational and intentional about developing yourself. Perhaps you are highly invested in growth, well-being, cultivating positive relationships, learning new skills, broadening your perspectives and so on. This is an opportunity to consider sharing personal stories and/or examples to illustrate this aspect of yourself.
Integrated Self: We are complex with multiple dimensions and unique perspectives – sometimes, these aspects can contradict themselves or contradict other people’s expectations of we who are. An integrated self allows us to see diverse and unique ways to reconcile many valued aspects of ourselves that may be contradicting or against stereotypical images (e.g. female race car driver, male nurse, working mother). It is difficult to be positive about yourself when you suppress valued aspects of yourself to fit in. Therefore, when we find or create ways to align our authentic selves to what we do, we create microworlds where we are integrated and at peace with who we are. This makes us more creative and healthier.
Virtuous Self: Create space where you can demonstrate your strengths and virtues through valuable and meaningful actions. Serve, affirm, and support others. Be humble and compassionate. Act with courage and integrity. Aside from your values and principles, learn what some of your character strengths are. Character strengths are positive aspects of your personality that come naturally to you and truly make you shine. Exercise your strengths and values in your everyday life to practise and manifest this virtuous self.
Esteemed Self: Accept being worthy of positive regard by yourself and others. The ‘Reflected best self’ exercise in Module 4 should help you develop a concrete version of your esteemed self, which you can use to guide your development and reflection on your growing, integrated, and virtuous selves.
When you mix and match these elements together, you can create three components to a positive professional identity:
- Who you are: your unique background, attributes, and characteristics, that are valuable (e.g. integrated + virtuous self)
- What you can do: your opportunities to make meaningful contributions that serve you and strengthen others around you (e.g. virtuous + esteemed).
- Who you can be: your ability to grow, develop, evolve, nurturing the best versions of yourself (e.g. growing + integrated).
Read more here: https://www.mindtools.com/a5nnpn4/the-give-model