Psychological Strategies to Manage Dual Sexual and Professional Identities
Sexual identity is an essential component of one's personality that shapes how they view themselves and others. It refers to the sense of self-identification based on one's emotional, physical, and romantic attraction towards members of their preferred gender. Sexual orientation also includes behaviors such as dating, flirting, and engaging in sexual activities. Conversely, professional identity refers to the way employees perceive themselves within the workplace context, including their career choices, job performance, and contribution to organizational goals.
Managing dual sexual and professional identities can be challenging for individuals who are gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgendered, queer, or intersex since these groups face social stigma, discrimination, and prejudice in both personal and professional settings. Therefore, psychologists have developed strategies to help employees navigate this situation. This article explores these strategies in detail.
Strategy One: Self-Acceptance
Self-acceptance is the primary strategy to manage dual sexual and professional identities. Individuals must first accept their sexual orientation and recognize it as part of who they are without feeling ashamed, guilty, or embarrassed. They should understand that their sexuality is not a choice but a natural phenomenon and embrace it openly. By doing so, they will feel less pressure to hide their true selves at work and develop confidence and pride in being different from heterosexuals. Moreover, self-acceptance helps create a positive attitude towards life, reduces stress, and improves mental health.
Strategy Two: Open Communication with Colleagues
Open communication involves telling colleagues about one's sexual orientation and how it affects them personally and professionally. It requires courage and honesty to reveal personal details, but openness enables other coworkers to relate to the individual and treat them fairly. Being upfront also eliminates misconceptions and stereotypes while fostering mutual respect, cooperation, and collaboration.
Individuals should avoid oversharing or using explicit language that may offend others and maintain a professional demeanor when talking about sensitive topics such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or safe sex practices.
Strategy Three: Creating Supportive Networks
Creating supportive networks involves finding like-minded people who share similar interests, experiences, and challenges as oneself.
Employees can join LGBTQ+ groups within the organization or attend local events hosted by community organizations outside of work. These communities provide emotional support, guidance, advice, and resources on managing dual identities.
They offer a sense of belonging and acceptance, reducing isolation and loneliness among members.
These networks enhance career growth and development by exposing individuals to new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities for networking.
Strategy Four: Practicing Self-Care
Practicing self-care involves taking care of oneself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Individuals should prioritize their wellbeing, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, get adequate sleep, seek medical attention, practice mindfulness meditation, pursue hobbies, engage in leisure activities, and cultivate meaningful relationships with family, friends, and partners. By doing so, they will feel better equipped to handle stressors related to work or personal life while fostering resilience against external pressures.
Psychological strategies help employees manage dual sexual and professional identities effectively. Self-acceptance, open communication, creating supportive networks, and practicing self-care are crucial tactics that enable individuals to thrive personally and professionally despite discrimination from others. While it may not be easy initially, overcoming stigma requires perseverance, courage, and dedication to living authentically without compromising one's values, beliefs, or integrity.
What psychological strategies help employees manage dual sexual and professional identities?
To begin with, it is important for an employee to recognize that they are not alone in their experience of having multiple identities. Research has shown that many people feel torn between their personal life and work obligations, which may create tension and stress (Fujiwara & Sakai, 2015).