PORTRAITS OF PURPOSE I DON’T WANT TO BE A FIXED ENTITY Identity is so personal and can involve a distinct This is why dialogue about identity, intersectionality private/public split for some. Regardless of how I and inclusion is so important in driving meaningful decide to show up in the world, the way I express change acrossHavas (and the wider world). We still my ‘self’ is a core part of how I’m perceived. This have a way to go, and as we continue to foster more applies to individuals, teams, companies, brands, diverse workplaces, we should ask ourselves (and I governments and nations, so talking about my own say this with love) whether minority or marginalised identity feels slightly conceited. But we have to people joining us are authentically expressing their understand identity dynamics if we want to create identities at work. Or are they code switching to be inclusive and safer spaces where we can all do our more ‘palatable’ in a Eurocentric corporate setting? best work and live our best lives. Try not to react, but just let that sit with you for a bit. I asked friends and colleagues how they perceive me, Significant moments in my identity journey have and the most common responses included words involved direct experiences of racism and sexism, like kind, strong, intelligent, optimistic, supportive andwhere my own righteous anger compounded creative. And while these are all lovely, I don’t want towhat I was willing to stand my ground for. I’ve also be a fixed entity. I have other more typical labels thatexperienced allyship, and seen the power someone are centred around how I look and what I do. British, in a position of privilege has to help others (and been Asian, female, mother, consultant, partner, leader, inspired to do the same). Crucially, embracing my tech nerd, fashion photographer, style icon (okay, own identity, rather than striving to conform, has maybe not that last one!) enabled me to connect quickly with other people, find common ground, collaborate, create support My sense of self is continually evolving, influenced networks and lift others up. by my family, upbringing, friends, environment and daily life experiences. My close family have Working in tech consulting, I see rapid innovation, and always encouraged me not to conform and not my continuously evolving identity plays a vital role in to be defined by narrow-mindedness or gender adapting to and staying ahead of change. It helps me and racial stereotypes. But I didn’t truly realise thekeep Gate One and Havas relevant and focused on importance of being confident in who I am, my values the future. and my experiences, until I was in my mid-thirties. I got caught up in how I was being perceived, which I’m glad I no longer feel a need to conform to a translated into a need to please others, and led to culture that might prefer me to comply and keep me behaving inauthentically to try to ‘fit in’ or codequiet. Instead, I’m amplifying my voice (and other switch. I know I’m not alone in feeling the need to hideminority voices) as a leader and someone with a small a part of myself to conform – and I’m not dwelling platform. The more we can all embrace our unique in guilt about that; our culture and institutions haveidentities and retain authenticity in how we present been set up to promote a competitive rat race, rather ourselves, the more we’ll influence our culture and than focusing on self-evolution and being in service our world for the better! of others. It taes energy and effort to change culturek , mindsets and behaviours. Umbar Shakir, Partner, Gate One We asked Umbar for images of objects that contributed towards her identity. This is what she provided. Thanks Umbar! 24