Source: Fortune
Summary
Geoff Curtis, former executive vice president at Horizon Therapeutics, shares his personal experience of losing his job due to an acquisition and entering “professional identity purgatory.” He describes the disorienting gap between losing an identity built over decades and not yet knowing what replaces it. Curtis notes that millions of people may face similar transitions due to AI and emphasizes the importance of redefining expertise and letting go of old identities. He shares his observations and lessons learned from his own experience, including the need to stop filling voids with noise and embracing the discomfort of uncertainty.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story. Geoff Curtis’s career ended with an acquisition, leaving him in “professional identity purgatory.” He’s not alone; millions may face similar transitions due to AI. Curtis’s story is a reminder that professional identity is fragile and can be disrupted by technology. His observations offer a glimpse into the challenges of redefining expertise and self-worth in the face of uncertainty.
Curtis’s experience is a warning sign for professionals who tie their self-worth to their job titles and expertise. The threat of AI is not just about lost tasks or restructured roles; it’s about the continuity of professional identity. Curtis’s story is a call to reexamine what it means to be a professional in a rapidly changing world.
Author: Evan Null
