When you have a career that could span over three decades, highs and lows are inevitable. As you move into leadership roles, the lows can hit harder. They test your resilience in ways you never imagined.

I hit one of those phases about a year ago. Maybe it was burnout from working non-stop for two decades. Maybe it was a midlife crisis making me question, What am I really doing? Add to that the ever-changing tech industry, and you have the perfect recipe for restlessness.

Even though I was financially secure, I still felt that unease deep inside. I wasn’t myself. I held back opinions I would usually voice without hesitation.

That’s when two conversations with my mentors changed everything. Interestingly, both—on separate calls—asked me the same question:

“How would you introduce yourself, Vignesh?”

I gave the usual answer—my title, the company I work for, and my achievements.

And that’s when they pointed out something that completely shifted my perspective.

I had unknowingly reduced my entire identity to my job title and employer. Which meant that if I lost them tomorrow, my entire sense of self would disappear. Imagine carrying that pressure every single day.

That realization hit me hard.

It made me see how unfair it was to expect my leadership or company to hand me a role that checked every box of my aspirations. The truth is, we are responsible for our careers, our growth, and our happiness.

So, take a step back and ask yourself: Are you defining your worth only by your job title and company? If yes, it might be time to rethink.