Multipotentialite versus hybrid professional identity
You’ve heard of having high potential. You’ve probably been told you’re not reaching your potential.
But has anyone ever said you might…
have multipotential
be a multipotentialite, or
have a hybrid professional identity?
If you’re guilty of saying, “I wear a lot of hats” when trying to explain what you do, then you might be a multipotentialite or have a hybrid professional identity.
How do you know?
Only you will know which one you are.
What is a multipotentialite?
In 2010, Emilie Wapnick founded a website called Puttylike, which has since turned into a robust community and movement.
Her goal was to connect people of all ages and backgrounds who don’t want to be “just one thing.”
In 2015, Emilie gave her now famous TED Talk about being a multipotentialite, and the term caught fire. It united people who have many interests and talents because they finally felt understood. The term “multipotentialite” gave them a phrase to represent who they really are and helped them find others like them.
Multi (many) + Potential + ite = a person who displays high talent or aptitude across multiple disciplines, often with little or no connection.
The term multipotential originates from educational and psychological studies. Synonyms that also reference this concept are multitalented, polymath, multi-hyphenate, and multipassionate.
A great way to think about multipotential versus hybrid is to think about the difference between a person who is multidisciplinary versus interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary in their ways of working.
What is hybrid professional identity?
In my research, I focus entirely on professional identity because there is so much complexity in the work we do and how we see ourselves in our careers.
As humans, we possess a multitude of identities, but if we isolate only the professional side of our lives, there is a lot to understand in that dimension alone. That’s why this is called hybrid professional identity. It’s only about who we are in our work.
My framework of professional identity outlines three types in the workforce:
singularity (one identity, often experts and specialists)
multiplicity (many identities, often generalists or multipotentialites)
hybridity (integrated identity, people who merge identities and defy categorization)
Most people who have hybrid professional identity don’t know it. They’ve never heard of this option before.
Hybrid professional identity (HPI) is when a person integrates their different professional identities and works at the intersection. There is an interconnection between their separate aptitudes and interests. As a result, there’s the formation of one-of-a-kind skills, attributes, and talents that’s highly unique.
The key difference
The key difference- Hybrid professional identity is about integration of multiple identities while multipotentiality is about having many identities with no relation between them.
There is no right or wrong, good or bad here.
Both being a multipotentialite or a hybrid professional have their pros and cons.
The important thing is to know these terms mean different things. They resonate with people for different reasons. When people use these terms about themselves, they are not synonymous.
“The difference between multipotentialites and HPI’s is that hybrids integrate their identities together.”
Overall, having the right language to name ourselves is empowering. It helps us understand each other. Clarity is what we strive for so that we can shine in the world and be seen for who we truly are.