When you’re with other people, you are playing a role. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, farmer or neighbour, your role in their minds is set. Positioning is something, however, that occurs when you interact with other people once you’re in the role.
Humans play diverse roles depending on where we are and with whom we communicate. Roles intersect, complement and conflict; the only times we are not in a role is when we behave like other animals: eating, sleeping, washing, etc.
Some people lean on their official role and erroneously think their title is all that’s required. So, for instance, when a domineering person chairs a meeting, they expect their title alone to earn them respect. They are probably too arrogant to realise that if they don’t behave respectfully towards others, they’re unlikely to be treated as they wish.
Rome was once a world-dominating state. Despite the fact its power faded hundreds of years ago, modern Romans still appear to possess an amusing, if disproportionate over-confidence. I lived there and it changed me. I arrived full of British diffidence and left several months later, with an arsenal of extrovert behaviours and diluted humility. I had become insistent and vocal but had developed greater self-confidence. My roles didn’t evolve (hotel receptionist, part-time English tutor), but my posturing and positioning did.
Before establishing fruitful relationships with others, it is important to develop a self-image. Once you picture who you want to be and compare it to where you are, you can conceive your journey. Positions are more a state of mind than a job or a place in the hierarchy.
The Visionary Position
There are two types of visionaries. The first is the Big Picture version whereby somebody pictures a fantastic dream of what could happen in the future e.g. self-driving cars. The Smaller Picture version would be that in twenty years, there is a glut of unused self-driving cars and somebody else envisions how to repurpose them.
The Inventor’s Position
Like the visionary, the inventor is creative. Once the spark ignites, the impulse to begin the process kicks in immediately. Inventors thrive on spontaneity and prefer trial/error to lengthy research.
Visionary and Inventor positions are not mutually exclusive. One person can be both or the positions can be fulfilled by two people. Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who built and flew the first aeroplane achieved success like this. We do not know the micro details of their collaboration, but as close brothers with the same passions, it is likely their modus operandi was organic and intuitive.
Examples of Other Positions
Helicopter
Some theorists believe great leaders hover (metaphorically) above their team to maintain an objective view of all parties and events. When motivation and advice are needed, they drop to the ground, deliver wisdom, coaching or whatever is required and then resume flight.
Procrastinator
It feels socially irresponsible to declare ‘I’ll leave it till tomorrow’ but this much-maligned position can be highly viable. If you think of positioning it as ‘sleep on it first’ instead of procrastination, it feels much more sensible. Postponing an action is not avoiding it.
Helpful Complier Vs. the Fastidious Stickler
Two colleagues who do the same job were asked to take on a new project. One of them was happy to oblige, it represented something new and interesting. The other person was indignant and said the project was not part of their job specification and it was demeaning. In each case, their position was a choice but only one of them chose positivity.
If you want to find out more about this topic, follow this link.
