Identity threats—experiences that signal harm to the value, meanings, or enactment of one’s identity—are pervasive and carry significant implications for well-being, performance, and organizational outcomes. In this talk, I will explore the drivers of identity threat and its impact on individuals and organizations, drawing insights from two recent studies. The first study is an integrative conceptual review of over 400 papers, where my co-authors and I propose a new framework for understanding identity threats, including an expanded definition and a temporal model that clarifies how these experiences unfold. This work aims to unify fragmented insights and provide a foundation for future research. The second study examines how employees experience identity transformation following burnout, revealing when and how this identity threat sparks profound learning about the self. Together, these projects illustrate the complexities of identity threat and offer new directions for research and practice. I will offer an overview of my broader work on the topic, inviting a conversation about the opportunities to advance this field and address its most pressing challenges.

wlucy2@ceibs.edu