Who am I Beyond My Title?
When a coaching journey begins, one of the first questions I will ask you: Who are you?
At first, it seems simple enough to answer. “I’m the Business Lead for HR Technologies at Greenstep,” I might say.
We tend to introduce ourselves through work: our position, title, or company. We evaluate both ourselves and others through what we do. It’s natural. As human beings, we label things to make sense of a complex, chaotic world. Labels make us feel safe.
But what happens when one of those labels disappears? What happens if you lose your job?
That’s when the question “Who am I?” suddenly becomes much harder. Losing a job can trigger deep reflection. It can make us question our value and sense of worth. Without the familiar identity that work provides, we can feel lost.
When I started to think more deeply about this question, I realized that my work was only one small part of who I am. Sure, I’m an entrepreneur on the side. I’m also a mom to three boys, a wife, a daughter, and a sister. Yet those, too, are just labels. They describe my connections, not my essence.
So I went deeper.
I’m a yogi on the path to becoming a teacher, passionate about helping people find their inner peace. I believe every one of us has a calling in this life. I believe in unseen forces around us — not through religion, but through energy, purpose, and intuition.
I love being social. I love to dance, especially to house and techno. I dream of playing my own DJ set when I turn 50. And in 2026, I’ll publish my first book about the experience of being fired — an ending that became a beginning.
And still, I am so much more. And you are so much more.
Our true identity is not the title on our business card. It’s the blend of our passions, beliefs, values, quirks, and dreams — the parts that shine even when no one’s watching.
Love & Light, Susanna
Try This: The “Who Am I?” Exercise
Ask yourself, “Who am I?” five times in a row. Each time, dig a little deeper beyond roles, labels, and achievements.
First, list the obvious: your job, your roles, your titles.
Then, describe your values: what matters most to you.
Next, focus on your energy: how you show up in the world.
Then, name your dreams: what pulls you forward.
Finally, describe your essence: who you are when everything else fades away.
You might be surprised by what you discover. That’s the beginning of seeing your wholeness.
Because who you are is always so much more than what you do.
