Reading, reflecting and constructing a sense of self: A way to overcome professional challenges?

The authors of the present article are involved in the postgraduate certificate (CAS) ‘GeFo’ in Ticino, an educational programme aimed at school leaders. Drawing on their respective research projects, they show how both reading and producing narratives centred on work-related challenges can help in the construction of professional identity. The authors also highlight the role played by literature (and by art in general) as both prompt and medium for experiencing, addressing and ultimately for overcoming challenges which arise during the course of a professional life.