Rebuilding Identity: From Title to Value
TL;DR Redundancy can feel like failure. Rebuilding starts by separating identity from outcomes and choosing professional responses even when something stings.
You can be okay with the outcome and still not be okay with how it made you feel Brene Brown
The moment everything tilts
There was a moment in the lead up to confirmation of my redundancy where I felt like a spare part, in some ways it felt as though I was already gone I just didn’t know it (although I think I did). No one meant harm I’m sure, but the experience landed sharply and it was difficult to process. Ultimately, I realised I could either internalise it or respond professionally and keep my own story intact.
What’s at stake (for me)
I’ve never believed a title defines a person, and yet the mind does funny things under stress. Everyone felt weird - those who had received the news that they may be out of a job in the coming weeks, and those who operated beside them. It was really challenging to separate my sense of self from the position title that was being made redundant. The key for me was to remember value through outcomes, not labels.
The moment of decision
I decided to keep a ‘value file,’ to log evidence instead of adjectives, and to write a new narrative that didn’t require anyone else’s permission.
What I did
Part of my process in revisiting my resume and job search profiles had been to leverage AI agents to help me draw out areas to focus on. Unexpectedly, not only did the exercise produce starting points for resume and cover letter revisions, but it also proved a great exercise in validating my experience, knowledge, and reminding me of my successes in the face of what currently felt like failure.
Value mapping
List five business outcomes you deliver (not duties). Read them when the title voice gets loud or, as a dear family friend once told me as I left the country to move to Australia… ‘don’t forget where you come from’.
Evidence over adjectives
Collect artefacts: before/after snapshots, one‑page summaries, stakeholder notes - when I say collect, I don’t mean ‘steal’, I mean write your own notes, create your own summaries, think about the impact you made, and sure, ask people if you can use their part in your story.
Like a muscle memory, the more you do this, the easier it will get. Think of the impacts you’ve made, journal them, keep them handy so you can refer to them easily in the future. So many times we forget the twists and turns in our journey and focus on the destination, when the journey itself is often the interesting part.
Professional responses
When something stings, draft the response you’ll be proud of in six months. Then send that one.
I learned to do this over the duration of my career, through making mistakes or exercising poor judgement but if we know ourselves and how we react under stressful circumstances, we already have a head start.
Think about the scenarios that could occur and how you might be feeling. Do you want to burn bridges? If not, think about how you would like to act in those scenarios and prepare your response ahead of time. This isn’t about what people are going to say to you - that’s outside of your control - it’s about how you choose to respond and it can only be a choice if you’ve thought about it at least a little bit.
Identity language
Swap “I was [Title]” for “I help [audience] achieve [outcome].”
This was a piece of advice that I picked up from some recruiter associates. Think about the value you provide, and if you can quantify that value then even better.
Again, the more you think about this stuff, the more it becomes validating and self-perpetuating. The opposite of negative self-talk.
What surprised me
The title voice is persistent but not powerful when confronted with proof.
A small repository of wins did more for my confidence than any pep talk.
Leader’s Lens: If you manage people through change
Reinforce value stories in check‑ins. Speak to outcomes, not roles.
Depersonalise structural change without trivialising the impact.
Don’t underestimate the power of your words and your actions
Try this (this week)
Write a three‑line value bio that never mentions a job title (don’t be afraid or ashamed of letting AI help draw out your strengths when you’re not seeing them for yourself).
Start a value file with two artefacts today.
Checklist
□ Five outcomes listed (value map).
□ Two artefacts saved (evidence file).
□ One professional response drafted (if needed).
□ Identity language updated in your notes.
If your organisation is navigating change and you want calm, people‑first delivery without the drama, I can help.
This is based on my personal experience, anonymised to protect privacy. Nothing here is financial, legal, or medical advice - please seek professional guidance for your own situation.