Day 135 MIT Sloan Fellows Class 2023, The art of leading 2 "Kegan: stages of development"
Constructive Developmental Theory
Today, we learned about how to relate with people and demonstrated some exercise to equip us with some frameworks in practice.
Kegan's developmental theory is a framework that describes how individuals develop their sense of self and cognitive abilities throughout their lives. It outlines four mindsets or stages of development that individuals can progress through.
Four different stages and pros/cons
- Instrumental Mindset: In this mindset, individuals see the world as a set of external objects to be used for their own purposes. They tend to focus on their own needs and desires, and have a limited ability to understand the perspectives of others. "It's all about me"
- Pros: Individuals in this mindset can be very task-oriented and efficient at achieving their goals.
- Cons: This mindset can lead to a lack of empathy and an inability to understand the impact of their actions on others.
- Useful situation: This mindset can be useful in situations where a task or project requires a high level of efficiency and focus on achieving specific outcomes, such as in a manufacturing or production setting.
- Socialized Mindset: In this mindset, individuals begin to see themselves as part of a larger social system, and understand that their actions have an impact on others. They prioritize the needs and expectations of the group over their own desires, and conform to the social norms and expectations of their community. "I am my relationships" mindset.
- Pros: Individuals in this mindset are good at collaborating with others and working towards shared goals.
- Cons: This mindset can lead to conformity and a lack of independent thinking, as individuals may not challenge social norms or question the status quo.
- Useful situation: This mindset can be useful in situations where teamwork and collaboration are essential, such as in healthcare settings or community organizations. Team sports are typical
- Self-authoring Mindset: In this mindset, individuals begin to develop a more independent sense of self and take responsibility for their own values and beliefs. They can evaluate their own thoughts and actions and make decisions based on their personal principles, rather than conforming to external expectations. "I am the auther of my story" mindset
- Pros: Individuals in this mindset are able to think independently and take ownership of their actions and decisions.
- Cons: This mindset can lead to a sense of isolation or detachment from the larger social context, as individuals may prioritize their own needs and values over the needs of the group.
- Useful situation: This mindset can be useful in situations where individuals need to take initiative and make decisions based on their own values and beliefs, such as in entrepreneurship or artistic endeavors.
- Self-transforming Mindset: In this mindset, individuals are able to view their own beliefs and values as subject to change and transformation over time. They can hold multiple perspectives and integrate different ways of thinking into their worldview.
- Pros: Individuals in this mindset are able to adapt and change their thinking as they encounter new experiences and ideas.
- Cons: This mindset can lead to a lack of certainty or stability in one's beliefs and values, as individuals may be constantly revising and adapting their worldview.
- Useful situation: This mindset can be useful in situations where individuals need to be adaptable and open to new ideas and perspectives, such as in research or academic settings.
Exercises
We did four exercises to experience the four mindsets. First, we played a game where we walked towards our destination in a circle while passing by others. We focused on ourselves for two minutes. Then, we played a game where we mimicked the actions of the person in front of us without looking back. As the circle rotated, leadership changed hands. Next, we formed a circle and took turns mimicking each other's gestures. Unlike the second game, everyone had an equal turn, and the person making the gesture could observe the reaction of others. Finally, we practiced the self-transforming mindset by playing a game where we made forest sounds quietly for two minutes and gradually increased the volume before decreasing it back to silence.
Then, we reflect what we thought and how we behave in each activity. We discuss pros and cons of each mindset and deeply understand which situation we should demonstrate each leadership style.
