Identity Authority and Learning to Write in New Workplaces

In the piece, “Identity, authority, and learning to write in new workplaces,” Elizabeth Wardle discusses ideas cited from the sociologist Wenger.  Among the things discussed is the idea of “modes of belonging.”  The three modes of belonging mentioned include, Engagement, Imagination, and Alignment.

The first of the three, Engagement, involves the new member being accepted into the community.  This is when interpersonal relationships are first established and developed.  In this process, the new member tries to connect with the older, more senior members.  Also, they begin to adapt to the common goal of the group and align their own goals with those of the community.  If their goals to not align with the pre-established goals of the group, there will be conflict.  For example, if a new member of an online community immediately violates the rules for their own gain or vanity, there will be a conflict between them and the more senior members.

Once the member is accepted and acclimated to the group comes the mode of imagination.  This involves the new member not only accepting the common goal of the group, but expanding on it with ideas of their own.  This is assuming that the new ideas and goals of the member are good and accepted.  If the group does not accept the new ideas, it can cause a rift. Going with the example of the online community, new members are encouraged to share information and ideas, but if it differs from what the accepted convention is, it is not well received.

Once the member has been accepted into the group and has proven themselves through the mode of imagination, the last step is Alignment.  In this step, the new member creates deeper relationships with the older, more established members.  In addition, boundaries are created and the common goals of the group are more closely aligned with the new member in question.  To proceed with the same example, after proving themselves as a good member to the community, a new member may develop close discourses and personal relationships with some of the older members with which they share common ideas.