Robert Bacal wrote:
> On Tue, 22 Oct 1996, Benjamin Compton wrote:
>
> > For any person (or organization) to change effectively, they must be
> > emoitionally mature (so they can endure the pressures of rediscovering or
> > redefining themselves), and intellectually rigorous (so they can adjust
> > their values should they be impacted by the change -- which they probably
> > will be).
>
> Ben, You made me smile. Call me a fool but in order for a person to get
> to be emotionally mature, they pretty much need to change in some
> effective fashion. So, a catch 22. People can't change unless they are
> emotionally mature, and to be emotionally mature means they must change.
>
> Please tell me I'm missing something <grin>
No, I don't think you missed anything. Your right where I'm stuck: How do
people progress to the point that they're willing to change, without
changing? The only explanation I have is that it's a matter of passion and
spirtuality (more on spirituality a little later in the message). How
passionate am I about achieving such and such result in my life? If I'm
really passionate, I'll develop the emotional maturity to embrace change.
If I'm not, then I'll probably sit around and change a little here and
there as my environment changes.
Which raises another question in my mind: Why are some people incredibly
passionate, while others seem to be almost bereft of passion? Clearly
environmental factors take their toll (did the person get beat down when
they were younger by authoritative figures, such as parents, teachers,
etc.)? Is it genetic? Did some traumatic event happen, such as an abusive
relationship (either physically, emotionally, or sexually)? Are they just
lazy? Are they afraid? What are they afraid of?
I wish I could answer the question, because if I could I'd be a much
better manager, father, and husband. I've read a number of theories, but
none that seem to have broad relevance -- they apply to very specific
circumstances.
The one thing I do think, however, is that a person is not likely to
embrace change without having a rather strong spiritual center -- whether
that is a formal religion, or a deeply believed philosophy. FRom my
observations, that spirituality needs to be a shared experience to be
transformational.
-- Ben Compton The Accidental Learning Group Work: (801) 222-6178 Improving Business through Science and Art bcompton@geocities.com http://www.e-ad.com/ben/BEN.HTMLearning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>