#079: Herminia Ibarra — Navigating Career Transitions & Owning the Writing Identity. Also, Writing Big-Idea NonFiction, Being a Confident Writer, Learning Goals Vs Performance Goals
Acting before thinking can lead to more successful outcomes.
Writing for a broader audience can make a difference in people's lives.
Embracing continuous learning and exploring different paths is essential for navigating career transitions.
Deep dives
The Power of Acting Before Thinking
In this podcast episode, author Hemania Abara discusses the idea of acting before thinking and how it can lead to more successful outcomes. She emphasizes the importance of taking a playful approach to identity and career, and provides insights on how to navigate periods of uncertainty and change. Through her own experiences and research, Abara shares practical advice on reinventing careers and offers strategies for finding clarity and discovering new possibilities. Overall, this episode highlights the power of taking action and embracing change in order to create a fulfilling and sustainable career.
Writing for a Wider Audience
Author Hemania Abara shares her journey of writing for a wider audience, moving beyond academic writing and bringing her research to a general audience. She discusses the process of translating academic studies into accessible articles and books, and the importance of engaging with a community of writers and readers. Abara highlights the value of storytelling and the impact it can have on conveying ideas effectively. She also reflects on the challenges and rewards of writing for a broader audience, including the positive feedback and the ability to make a difference in people's lives.
The Evolution of Career Transitions
In this podcast episode, Hemania Abara explores the evolving nature of career transitions and the increasing need for individuals to adapt and reinvent themselves in the face of change. She discusses the impact of advancements in technology, particularly AI, on the workforce and the challenges it poses. Abara encourages listeners to embrace continuous learning and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of being open to new opportunities and exploring different paths. By sharing stories and insights from her book 'Working Identity', Abara provides guidance on navigating career transitions and finding fulfillment in a changing work landscape.
The Role of Writing in Personal and Professional Growth
Hemania Abara shares her thoughts on the role of writing in personal and professional growth. As an academic and author, she discusses how writing has been an integral part of her career and how it has allowed her to reach a wider audience. Abara emphasizes the power of storytelling and the ability of writing to convey ideas in a compelling and relatable manner. She also reflects on the challenges and rewards of writing books, including the process of revising and updating previous editions. Overall, Abara highlights the value of writing in creating impact, fostering personal development, and establishing oneself as a thought leader.
Embracing Learning Goals in Leadership
In this episode of the podcast, Hemania Abara discusses the concept of learning goals in leadership. She explores how embracing learning goals, as opposed to solely focusing on performance goals, can lead to personal and professional growth. Abara highlights the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone and taking on new challenges in order to develop leadership competencies. Drawing on examples from her book 'Act Like A Leader, Think Like A Leader', she explains how acting first and learning along the way can lead to transformative change and expanded capabilities. Abara also provides insights on how individuals can navigate the complexities of leadership and find success through a mindset of continuous learning.
In this conversation with Herminia, we discuss reinventing your career, how to gain confidence as a writer, why thinking first and then acting doesn’t always work, navigating periods of flux, advice for leaders and the art of writing big-idea nonfiction.
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ABOUT HERMINIA IBARRA
Herminia Ibarra is the Charles Handy Professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School. She is also the author of two best-selling books, Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader and Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career.
