Knowledge is Power - Adapted Behaviours and Personal Impact
Impact Factory's Words of Wisdom - Personal Impact
Knowledge is Power - Adapted Behaviours and Personal Impact
by Liz McKechnieWhen we are babies we know how to get what we want. We cry and wave our legs and arms around and most of the time that seems to do the trick. However as we get a bit bigger we learn quickly that certain behaviours get smiles and others get frowns from those who have our wellbeing in their gift. We adapt our behaviours accordingly.
Human beings are pretty resourceful but will these behaviours always be as useful to us?
The little girl smiles and speaks in a cute voice to win favour. However her direct demands may not be so successful. Likewise, big boys may learn that being capable and self sufficient is generally a good thing whereas an unseemly display of emotion may not go down so well. If it works, it goes in the useful behaviour repertoire to be pulled out and displayed when needed. Walking quietly on eggshells and appeasing conflict may be useful in a stormy environment. Obeying rules and being very, very good indeed might also be handy if the family dynamic gets competitive. Even becoming ill or "the black sheep" can be an option if it gets us the attention we require.
The trouble is, there may come a time when our behavioural habits no longer serve us. We may need to reassess our way of operating.
The good news is that we remain adaptable all our lives and have a great capacity to change or at least manage our patterns. Awareness is the key. If we don't know what we are doing and our actions and reactions remain firmly based in our unconscious minds then we are powerless to do anything to change the effect of our behaviour. Once we know what we are up to we can start to make some small changes to have a different impact.
Knowledge, after all, is power.
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And the next available Open Assertiveness Skills Course
You might also be interested in the next available Open Leadership Development Course
Effective Communication and People Management Skills Training
