Is it possible to enter someone else’s worldview? Does that even make any sense to you? And if it was possible for you to do that, would you even know how to do it? If it were possible, you would … Continue reading
Enter a Worldview
Tag Archives: Me
Live More Than One Life
I heard this concept yesterday. It had nothing to do with identity, but they were using it in the context of work and just trying to get so much done that it seemed like you were trying to live more … Continue reading
The Knowledge Economy
I recently read about the knowledge economy. I’m still working through the book, but it has been fascinating to see the world through this lens. Whether you see knowledge as a product or a tool, knowledge becomes the most important … Continue reading
That’s Not Me
…actually means “that is not a me that I necessarily want to project.” Anytime anyone tells you that “that’s not me,” don’t argue with them. The theory is that they have switched to one of their other dialogical selves. Although their logic doesn’t make sense, the fact that they did it is absolutely logical and theoretically possiblel.
It’s not temporary schizophrenia – that is the extreme version of it. It’s just what we might call the switching of selves. So when they say “that’s not me,” that really isn’t the “me” any more. They are a different version of me.
For an explanation of different “me’s,” please check out these other posts.
Commercials About You
I hardly ever watch commercials. My DVR makes that possible, but we happened to be watching Man Vs. Food – live tonight so we had to endure the commercials. Two commercials stood out because it happened one right after the … Continue reading
Inconsistent Selves
It is theoretically possible to have inconsistent selves. Have you ever had anyone tell you that your thinking or your ideas are inconsitent – they’re not logical – or they don’t make sense? Next time someone says that to you – tell them – “Yeah, it is inconsistent. What’s your point?”
When exploring your identities, it is possible to explore 2 identities that are opposed to each other. When you do one thing and then do something totally completely opposite, that is consistent with exploring in identity formation. Building on the ideas of the Jamesian Me – the “I” can create 2 “me’s” and the “me’s” might be opposing “me’s” and be completely expressions of “I.” You can contradict yourself, and it is a natural and normal process.
Now, don’t take the idea too far. The self or the “I” can only have multiple “me’s” as long as there’s is an integrated self. It is possible to have exploring, opposing identities and still have an integrated self. Work out your identities, but the consequences of your working that out still belongs to you. These theories are not an excuse to do anything that you want to – but theoretically possible.
What is natural and normal is the exploring identities. Inconsistent selves is a consistent thing. Someone that says that you don’t make sense or that you’re inconsistent – they are the ones that don’t understand that in order to form and grow, a person with inconsistent selves is just working it out.
Without My Fans There is No Me
This is what I heard a celebrity say on the radio this morning. In one sense, they recognize that they could not be in the situation that they are in if there were no fans. I think that is just the life of anyone with celebrity (check this previous post out, and this as well).
Their identity is almost completely created by other people – their expectations, their ideas, their version of the person that the celebrity – needs to be. I think it’s just the struggle for any artist. How much of this is me? How much of this is for my fans? Would I be nothing without my fans? How much do I do for my fans?
No Difference
Everyone is in identity formation. We are all in a different stage of identity development. Some of us are just starting to figure out who we are. Others of us have achieved an identity status that is fully formed and developed.
Identity formation is the balance of exploring possible identities and making commitments to identities that we have explored and tried out. Identity can only be formed after exploration.
I was talking to a few professors a few days ago. They were talking about their teens online – posting things on Facebook and their many other profiles. They had strict rules for when and how long they can be on the Internet.
I had explained to them the difference between a projected self and real self. You have a social identity (projected self) and your ego identity (real self). Both of these are who you are, but the real self is completely who you are. It is possible to project a self that is exploring and hasn’t been formed, but when you post on your Facebook profile or write on your blog, people seeing it on the screen cannot tell if it is your projected self or your real self.
I’m also currently reading a book that talks about trust and being honest online. In the case of someone that is projecting a self, they are being honest – and it might not be congruent with all of their selves. On the computer screen, there is no difference. When you post – no matter what stage of identity development you are, it all looks the same on screen. We cannot tell if it’s the real you or you that you’re exploring. We can’t tell the difference.
I am Me
My wife was reading some quotes and she came across “I am me.”
William James would say that “I am Me’s.”
LL2: Leadership Competencies
I was in a class a few days ago, and these 4 competencies came up. These 4 levels of competence work for leadership development, but the application fits pretty much any skill or competency.
1. Unconsciously Incompetent – it is possible to not know that you don’t quite have the competence it takes to lead. People with this level of competence don’t even know that they are incompetent.
2. Consciously Incompetent – then they hit a level where they realize that they are incompetent. People with this level of competence know that they are incompetent.
3. Consciously Competent – are those that know that they are competent. They have worked on learning the skill that they are conscious of the fact that they are competent.
4. Unconsciously Competent – are those that don’t even think about the skill or ability. They know that they are able to perform, but the do so naturally and freely – without even thinking about it.
I tend to look at these competencies from a values-free perspective. One’s not better than the other, but it helps me to process thru my leadership competencies. In many ways, I am in different levels of leadership development, but now I have the categories to determine what level of leadership competency and development I am on.
If you have any questions – please ask. It might tell me what level you’re at in your leadership development.
For all of my Leadership Lessons
LL1: Know the limits of leadership
Every leader has their limits. Every leadership position has its limits. Knowing the limits of both will make you a better leader.
I sometimes try to do things beyond my leadership abilities – which most times leads to frustration and stress. There are things that I am able to do; there are things that I can’t. I have limits in the way that I communicate. I have limits in my relational ability. I sometimes have limited information and that limits me. My ego limits me. My insecurities limits me. My expectations limits me.
The other aspect has to do with the limits of my leadership position. I can only do so much within my realm or domain. My position has limits. I can only do things within my area of responsibility, and I do care about the entire thing. I think I can lead within my area – and hopefully it has an affect on the entire place – for the better of course.
There is freedom in leading within the limits. I frees me from the burden or stress of having to carry out more than I have been empowered to. Knowing the limits or the parameters of my responsibility allows me to move and work freely – as long as I’m in the confines of my limits. Knowing the limits of leadership frees me up to lead.
For all of my Leadership Lessons
Freedom
What are your thoughts on Freedom? We just celebrated our Freedom and the Freedoms that we enjoy in this country – and wow we celebrate in an interesting way.
The focus of the service in church yesterday was also Freedom. It was really interesting for me as a worship leader, I was setting up the next song. As I was saying my planned speech to set up a song, an idea hit me. We had just spent the day before celebrating the freedoms that we have in our country, and as I was setting up the freedom that we have in the Spirit, I realized that sometimes the church is not the safest place to share your stuff. It was a challenge to the congregation and myself to be a community that experiences that freedom where mercy and grace flows – where freedom reigns. The church is not always the safest place to be free.
But one other thought hit me. Almighty, Creator God has come down to be involved in a relationship with me. In that relationship, I have the freedom – to be who He has created me to be. In that relationship, I have the freedom to be ME. It’s freeing when we live out our calling. It’s freeing to live in the mercy and grace that is available for us in our time of need.
One last thing, we in our western, industrialized comfortable worldviews are pretty good at celebrating these things – in one day. So today I celebrate Christmas, Easter, and Independence Day. I’m sure there are other things to celebrate as well. How did you celebrate Freedom this weekend? Are you done celebrating? Celebrate with me.
