George Herbert Mead has given the concepts of "I" and "Me" to understand a personality. "I" is the immediate response of an individual , an unpredictable and creative aspect of the self. In contrast "Me" is the organised set of attitudes of others which one himself assumes. "I" acts spontaneously while "Me" always takes into account the expected reactions of others to one's actions by keeping oneself in shoes of others.
There was a college student dominated by "I", careless or rather carefree he is, never bothering about what others would say regarding his actions. He bunked classes, used to wake up at 2'O clock after playing counter-strike the whole night, often missed breakfast and lunch , never cared about what grades he got. Then a day came when this students leaves the college and gets a job. On his first day of his office, he is late and gets a cold reception from his boss. A week later he bunks his office to meet some old college mates. The next day he receives a nice and warm firing from his boss. Next month he has to give a big presentation to a client. He works for three days and nights and prepares a lively presentation but does not care to consult his superior for assistance. But alas ! his heart is broken when he is told that there are many flaws in it. Corrections are made in the presentation by his boss but he still feels that the original was better.
A year later he receives the award for the employee of the year. In the past three months he has taken just two leaves and that too because he was sick. He has always been on time for office and has worked overtime on several days. While making all his presentations he has consulted his boss and implemented their views whether he personally liked their ideas or not. The guy is asked by the host of the award ceremony to say a few words for encouraging the newly recruited employees.
The guy started, "You all must have been really creative and innovative in your life so far. But from now on three things are required of you. Firstly in place of creativeness you have to show obedience to the ideas of your seniors. They have a term for it, it's called "Team work". It means that you would work on the ideas of your superiors and your superior would take the credit on behalf of the team. Secondly whenever you are asked for a suggestion you don't give the one which appears right to you, rather you give that which you think would appear right to your boss. And lastly, always show to others that you are in their control, show that your "Me" dominates your "I". That will give immense sense of joy to your superiors and when they are happy show that you are happy too. Thank You"
The speech ended and nobody clapped. Perhaps their "Me" was still dominating their "I".
There was a college student dominated by "I", careless or rather carefree he is, never bothering about what others would say regarding his actions. He bunked classes, used to wake up at 2'O clock after playing counter-strike the whole night, often missed breakfast and lunch , never cared about what grades he got. Then a day came when this students leaves the college and gets a job. On his first day of his office, he is late and gets a cold reception from his boss. A week later he bunks his office to meet some old college mates. The next day he receives a nice and warm firing from his boss. Next month he has to give a big presentation to a client. He works for three days and nights and prepares a lively presentation but does not care to consult his superior for assistance. But alas ! his heart is broken when he is told that there are many flaws in it. Corrections are made in the presentation by his boss but he still feels that the original was better.
A year later he receives the award for the employee of the year. In the past three months he has taken just two leaves and that too because he was sick. He has always been on time for office and has worked overtime on several days. While making all his presentations he has consulted his boss and implemented their views whether he personally liked their ideas or not. The guy is asked by the host of the award ceremony to say a few words for encouraging the newly recruited employees.
The guy started, "You all must have been really creative and innovative in your life so far. But from now on three things are required of you. Firstly in place of creativeness you have to show obedience to the ideas of your seniors. They have a term for it, it's called "Team work". It means that you would work on the ideas of your superiors and your superior would take the credit on behalf of the team. Secondly whenever you are asked for a suggestion you don't give the one which appears right to you, rather you give that which you think would appear right to your boss. And lastly, always show to others that you are in their control, show that your "Me" dominates your "I". That will give immense sense of joy to your superiors and when they are happy show that you are happy too. Thank You"
The speech ended and nobody clapped. Perhaps their "Me" was still dominating their "I".
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