Dear Friend,

You are not your job.
​But you are always your values.

We've all heard it so many times. You are not your job. It's said often, and with good intentions. But for many people working in aid, social work, and the broader social sector, it can feel like a provocation. Because when you chose this work, you weren't just picking a career, you were expressing who you are. Your ethics, your sense of justice, your need to do something that matters.

So when someone tells you that you are not your job, it can feel unsettling and even threatening. Like someone is trying to strip you of your identity, of who you are in this world. I often hear clients say: I don't want to change who I am or what I stand for. And that is very commendable. If you have been standing up for against injustice, racism or bullying, don't stop. The work you do is a large part of your identity, and nobody wants to lose that. But shift the perspective slightly, and something opens up: you are not your job, you are the expression of your values. Let me explain.

Your values don't clock out. They don't take annual leave. They are with you since your early days, in every decision, every relationship, every choice you make. The reason this work feels so bound up in identity isn't the job itself, it's the values underneath it. And values, unlike job titles, are completely portable. They travel with you, wherever you go.

Someone who cares deeply about justice in this world will find a way to act on that whether they're working for an NGO, employed at a car factory, or running their own business. The form changes, the drive doesn't. I see humanitarians hesitate at the idea of transitioning to a different kind of work. The fear is real: if I leave, am I abandoning who I am and what I stand for? But contribution doesn't require a specific contract with an organisation. It can come through volunteering, through how you spend your money, through the lifestyle choices you make, through raising awareness in your community.

My partner has spent his career in the corporate world. And yet for years, he has been one of the most committed advocates for animal welfare I know; volunteering in shelters, donating, adjusting his lifestyle to reflect the values he holds dear, pushing the conversation forward wherever he can. He is now moving into animal welfare professionally. But he didn't wait for the job title to start showing up for the things he believed in.

So if you are thinking about a transition, a career change into something completely different, something that uses your skills in a new context and genuinely excites you, don't let the fear of "leaving the mission" hold you back. Your mission isn't housed in your employer. It's within you.

Let your core values be your guide. Take the time to reconnect with at least three of your core values, not aspirational ones, not a company's values, but your own, the ones that are a deep reflection of who you are. And every time you are at a crossroads, ask yourself: how am I honouring these values right now? Mine are freedom, loyalty, and curiosity. And I know that every time things start turning southwards, it's often because I stopped honouring them and started acting against myself.

Positive impact can be done in so many more ways than we tend to imagine. Your values know the way. Trust them.

Viki

You're invited to May's Community Call

Join us on Tuesday, 27 May at 6 PM GMT / 7 PM CET for our monthly community call. Sign up here:https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZUNBV0CKSbC4xi1pyGkHvw​

This month, we're exploring the power of reframing and shifting perspectives, practical tools to help you get unstuck, clear the obstacles on your path, and move forward in your transition and career journey.

A gentle heads-up: this will be the last call in the current series, which makes it a great one not to miss.

On a personal note, a lot has been shifting for me professionally lately. I've been promoted, and an exciting collaboration with a top consultancy is in the works. These feel like meaningful upgrades, and they're also making me reflect on what's next for the community itself. I have a feeling an upgrade is on the horizon here too, so stay tuned for updates.

And if something is stirring for you right now and you feel the need to talk it through, don't hesitate to reach out. Individual exploration sessions are available.

With love and gratitude, Viki 🌿