Career Transition Psychology: Ibarra & Bridges
Dr. Herminia Ibarra, Professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School and author of "Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career", revolutionized our understanding of career change. Her research demonstrates that successful career transitions aren't about finding yourself first, then making a change—they work the other way around.
The Working Identity Principle: Ibarra's research reveals that career reinvention is not a linear process of plan-then-implement. Instead, it's an iterative journey of testing possible selves, learning from experiments, and gradually shifting toward new professional identities.
William Bridges, a pioneer in transition management, contributed the foundational framework distinguishing between change (the external situation) and transition (the internal psychological process). His three-phase model—Endings, Neutral Zone, and New Beginnings—explains why career transitions feel disorienting.
Key Research Findings:
- Identity Shift: Career transitions fundamentally involve shifts in professional identity, not just changes in job title
- Experimental Approach: Testing possible careers through projects and conversations accelerates successful transitions
- Network Effect: New networks create new possibilities; existing networks often reinforce old identities
- Making Sense: Creating a coherent narrative that links past, present, and future enhances transition success
- Timing Matters: The "neutral zone" between endings and new beginnings is uncomfortable but essential