Vertical Development made simple, clear and practical

While much valuable content exists on this topic, often its practical implications and applications are obscured in academic language. Here we aim to make this complex theory easily accessible and practically relevant for leaders, coaches and L&D practitioners, while preserving its rigour and constantly offering you resources to dive much deeper if you wish.


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“Be Yourself!” - What Does That Even Mean? The Messy Question of Identity and Vertical Development
Alis Anagnostakis Alis Anagnostakis

“Be Yourself!” - What Does That Even Mean? The Messy Question of Identity and Vertical Development

One piece of advice has been echoing through the halls of self-help, personal and leadership development: "Be Yourself!” or “Be Authentic!” I’ve long found that notion problematic. What does ‘authentic’ even mean? Is this notion assuming the existence of a singular, fixed, ‘genuine’ self? But what if the self is not a static 'one thing,' but a vibrant, dynamic, 'many things'? What if our identities are not monolithic, but multifaceted? Rather than being confined to one 'true self,' might we be a kaleidoscope of selves that emerge, change, and adapt in response to different situations, relationships, and life stages?

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