Digital ID Coach

We are who we hang with

September 28th, 2008

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There are a lot of ways that we identify ourselves, as explained on the Identities page. One way that we define ourselves is by our groups. That is, we are a member of a group, and the group has its own identity (reputation, mission, purpose, common interest, etc.). We call our groups by various names: our team, our tribe, our peeps, our friends, our colleagues, our congregation, our neighbors…

One example of group membership is when people identify themselves as part of a neighborhood and it’s broad reputation. For example, Berkeley California is noted (by Wikipedia) as “one of the most politically liberal in the nation, with one study placing it as the third most liberal city in the United States.[1]“ Here is a 98-slide parade in Berkeley (thanks ChristopherA) of people that identify with their city, its reputation, their neighbors, et al.

A common identity may emerge from a group of people with a like interest. Here’s a picture of the early Greenpeace organizers, who identified themselves as part of a movement that was (is) needed to protect the earth.

I love this picture of a funeral procession (thanks JKwest, whom I don’t know). The picture speaks of people that identify themselves as knowing and wishing to pay respects to a particular person. We are members of groups in life as well as in death.

Coaching moment: You are part of a group because it gives you strength and as a collective voice. Can you think of one example in your life? Write down a few thoughts on what it means to be a member of that group. Put your thoughts away for a month or two. Pull it out and review it to see if the group is still serving its purpose for you.

You may also be a member of a group that you would not wish to be a part of. What is it about this group that you do not identify with, or that doesn’t feel like it’s a part of you?

Does this tell you anything about yourself?

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