|
"Who Are You?"
By Leigh Butler
If someone asks you the question, "Who are you?" how would
you respond? Most people respond by stating their name. For instance, I would respond, "My name is Leigh." But,
does my response tell you anything about who I am?
What if I asked you to tell me about yourself? How would you respond? More than likely you would respond by
listing your roles and positions followed by your interest.
So, who are you? Do you know? Are you merely a name, or are you much more?
We often fail to realize that our roles and positions help to define who we are. For example, I am a student,
daughter, educator, consultant, and guardian.
DEFINING YOUR ROLES AND POSITIONS
Roles and positions are interrelated but have different meanings. Roles are the different parts we play when we
interact with other people. Positions are our locations within a collection of interconnected roles. A role includes
the duties or obligations of the position.
In order to define your roles you must first understand that for every position there is an expectation of what should be
the behavior of a person who holds that position. For example, educators are expected to teach, assist students,
grade papers, etc.
Defining your roles and positions help you to better manage them and maximize your role performance.
MANAGING ROLES AND POSITIONS
Every individual learns that certain behaviors are expected of him as an occupant of a particular position. In other
words, he learns the role associated with the position.
Everyone occupies a number of different positions and therefore has a number of different roles. However, few
people learn how to effectively manage them all. Usually ineffective management is due to ambiguous understanding of
role expectations and/or the burden of managing the behaviors associated with multiple roles.
In order to manage your roles and positions in a more efficient and effective manner, list each role and position
you hold followed by the behaviors that are expected of you as an occupant. Show your list to someone such as your
husband, wife, or boss who can tell you if you
have accurately captured what is expected of you.
Give your list careful thought and make necessary revisions to the expected behaviors. From this list you should be able
to effectively and efficiently manage your roles and positions.
MAXIMIZING ROLE PERFORMANCE
Socially appropriate role performance requires knowledge about what is expected, the ability to perform what is
expected, and the motivation to perform what is expected.
Learning to define and manage your roles and positions provides you with knowledge of what is expected. However,
you determine your ability to perform what is expected and your motivation to perform what is expected.
After final list revisions are completed, examine the list carefully to determine your ability to perform each role and
position. Only you can make that determination because only you know how much responsibility you can manage. Remember
your goal is to maximize role performance.
You've determined that you have the knowledge and the ability to perform what is expected. But, are you motivated to
perform what is expected? Never accept a role or position that you are not motivated to perform. Generally, you will
not do a good job if you are not motivated even if you have the knowledge and the ability.
In order to maximize role performance all three ingredients must be present - knowledge, ability, and motivation.
Knowledge of roles and positions should help you to better understand who you are and empower you to look beyond your
name into your inner self.
So, the next time someone asks you, "Who are you?" make sure you not only give them your name but also inform them about
your roles and positions. Your roles and positions are part of the essence of who your are.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Empower yourself, develop your potential, acquire a
new passion for living and learning. Get Leigh’s
Lifelong Learning newsletter free at Lifelong_Learning-subscribe@topica.com.
Or, visit her EducationAids.com website, http://www.EducationAids.com?way,
the Internet’s premiere source for knowledge
resources.
Lifelong Learning
Empower yourself, develop your potential, and
acquire a new passion for living and learning. Subscribe to Leigh's
Lifelong Learning Newsletter:
mail to:
Lifelong_Learning-subscribe@topica.com
If you would like to publish this article
in your own newsletter or ezine and/or on your web site send a blank message
to whoareyou@informationbyemail.com.
Please do not remove
the bio section.
|
|
Featured Product
Mega
Speed Reading
Howard Berg's Mega
Speed Reading empowers you with tools that can permanently change your
life. In just a few short hours with Howard Berg you will dramatically
increase your reading speed, giving you a sharp competitive edge in your
information-laden environment. You'll stay on top of information others
just can't keep up with.
Ask Leigh?
Do
you have questions about, teaching, learning, knowledge, or personal
growth & development? Ask
Leigh? Questions and answers will be published in our weekly newsletter.
Lifelong Learning Ezine
Join the Lifelong Learning community as we inform and
motivate you. Our ezine includes featured articles on topics such as
teaching, learning, knowledge, personal growth & development. Click
here to subscribe
We
will not disclose your email address or personal information to any third
party.
Get your FREE EducationAids.com
email here!
|
EducationAids.com