Job crafting and becoming a change maker from within

Many individuals claim to be change makers, as evident in their resumes and career narratives. When it comes to being a change maker who has a platform for impact, a challenge arises when you're seeking job opportunities: do employers truly seek out change makers as new employees? Sadly, the answer is too often no, not really, and a whole recruitment industry is built around fitting round pegs into round holes, which doesn't help.

This impacts us as leaders looking to build teams who can drive change and as individuals looking for work as a change maker. To address this issue, I recommend delving into the concept of working identities (check out the work of Professor Herminia Ibarra) and the notion of having multiple professional personas (see work on possible selves by Hazel Markus & Paula Nurius). Throughout our careers, we each uphold various fundamental aspects that define how we aim to make an impact professionally.

Personally, I categorise my career into five distinct pillars, all of which I managed to incorporate into previous roles over time. Achieving this involved:

1. Strategically selecting a job that aligned with one pillar of my identity at a company I respected.

2. Leveraging that position within the company to begin including side projects formally.

3. Being open to role moves that brought more of my identities together.

4. Being patient to encompass the remaining pillars gradually.

5. Knowing when I needed to push beyond the role and take a career risk for impact.

Try this prompt in the app:

Ah, the art of job crafting! It's a bit like being a sculptor, shaping a role that aligns perfectly with your passions and strengths. While job titles like "changemaker" or "intrapreneur" may not always be advertised, the opportunities to embody these roles are abundant if you know where to look and how to navigate your career path.

Start with defining your core pillars—elements that are crucial for you to achieve career satisfaction and impact. Identify roles or components within your current job that resonate with these pillars. This could mean leading projects, advocating for sustainable practices, or spearheading innovation.

In larger companies, you're often sitting on a treasure trove of resources. Use this to your advantage by expressing your ideas and how they can align with company goals. Engage leadership and showcase a proactive attitude toward change. You might start small, but consistent efforts can weave new responsibilities and projects into your role, aligning it with your vision.

Lastly, embrace the 'Yes, and' mindset. Reframing challenges as opportunities allows you to innovate within constraints. Dive into organisational archives—there might just be abandoned blueprints or initiatives ripe for revival. Intriguingly, many successful ventures arise from exploring and polishing these hidden gems.

So, rather than seeking a ready-made position, craft a path that reflects your unique potential. After all, the best way to find an opportunity is often to create it!