Branching out: Social identity comes to the forefront

For leaders, the issue of social identity—the parts of a person's identity that come from belonging to particular groups, including those based on age, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, and socioeconomic status—is becoming increasingly important in the way they lead. The social identities of those around you affect how they view you as a leader and how they view, and thus work with, others. Leaders can use an understanding of social identity to decrease their likelihood of misunderstanding others, increase their openness to different perspectives, and enhance their skill at accurately interpreting situations that call on their ability to lead.