When reading Elizabeth Wardle’s article “Identity, Authority, and Learning to Write in New Workplaces”, she first covers identity. Newcomers must find their own unique identities and the three modes of belonging (engagement, imagination, alignment). However, to fully participate newcomers need to be able to imagine their own work/writing as a big part of a larger enterprise. And it makes sense because why would you want to dedicate your time to something if you don’t feel like you’re adding any value? I know I wouldn’t. Identity is not just about learning new skills but also constructing it as well. This understanding of identity in a workplace community suggests that people negotiate identities over time.
Wardle then begins to discuss authority, which is also negotiated over time. Authority is given by institutions and can be taken away just as easily. When a speaker possesses authority, the audience will believe what they say because it is assumed that they are trustworthy. For example, our parents have authority over us. They guide us through life and we believe that they know what’s best. It is important to note that faith in a speaker’s authority can be suspended at any given time. If someone is granted authority but doesn’t quickly gain an understanding of the appropriate language for the workplace, they may lose that authority. Although newcomers usually get a grace period, it is still crucial that they pick up on it as fast as they can.
Finally Wardle tells a story of a computer support specialist named Alan who is in a brand new workplace. He was younger than all of his coworkers and viewed himself highly due to his expertise. However, everyone else found his attitude to be inappropriate. He didn’t write in the way they saw fit nor did he bother to adopt the rules for writing that they already had set. Because of this, rather than viewing him as a member of their team, he was merely a tool for them to use to complete tasks. You would think since Alan left his old position because he wasn’t respected enough that he’d attempt to make a good impression of himself in the new department but instead he came in like a hot shot and ruined the opportunity for himself right off the bat. He threatened his coworkers and demanded authority without even giving them a chance to trust him first. Because Alan was unwilling to adapt to his new environment it caused conflict between staff which just goes to show the time and effort that is actually needed in order to be a properly functioning member in a new workplace. Identity and authority need to be balanced and changing the way you write to fit certain situations is crucial to ensure you progress further in the future.
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