Evaluate Yourself and Be a Better Leader
Why do people behave the way they do? I have asked myself this question over and over in the past without coming up with a definite answer, until I read this powerful article, “Why People Behave the Way they Do” by James G. Clawson. The article builds a set of relationships among perceptions, beliefs, conclusions, defense mechanisms, and behavior.
Based on James Clawson’s concept of “three level leadership” the leader must first understand their own behavior and the underlying reason for it in order to maximize their leadership potential. The next step for me is to proceed with self-evaluation which is defined as the process by which the self‐concept is modified and socially negotiated. There are four different motives to do self‐evaluation and those four motives are self enhancement, self-assessment, self-improvement and self-verification. Some examples of self-assessment methods and techniques include Leadership Steps Assessment (LSA), Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MTBI) and etc. Some of these methods help to compare the own self-image with people’s view of oneself. Based on my Myers-Briggs Type Indicator I am an ISTJ indicating that I am organized, compulsive, private, trustworthy, and practical. Possible career as office manager, accountant, business manager, tax agent, public servant. Looking at my possible careers, accountant is the one I have chosen as a career and it’s interesting to see based on my answers my personality is a fit for this career. By taking the self-assessments it has lead me to better understanding my own traits, strengths, but also weaknesses. Taking self-assessments leads to increasing confidence, trust and credibility by others and an improvement of emotional, social intelligence and self-esteem.
According to James Clawson, the own behavior is controlled by VABEs, which are defined as Values,