I think I am, therefore I am

7/30/2019 I think I am, therefore I am.

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Meads Theory of Social Behaviorism

Sociologist George Herbert Meadbelieved that people

develop self-images through interactions with other people.

He argued that the self, which is the part of a persons

personality consisting of self-awareness and self-image, is

a product of social experience. Mead believed that the key

to self-development is understanding the role of the other.

I have included a video to help understand further who the

active I self and an objective me self is

http://youtu.be/zGv1Nay2z-U. Mead outlined four ideas about

how the self develops:

1. The self develops solely through social experience.Mead rejected Freuds notion that personality is

determined partly by biological drives.

2. Social experience consists of the exchange of symbols.Mead emphasized the particularly human use of language

and other symbols to convey meaning.

3. Knowing others intentions requires imagining thesituation from their perspectives. Mead believed that

social experience depends on our seeing ourselves as

others do, or, as he coined it, taking the role of

the other.

4. Understanding the role of the other results in self-awareness. Mead posited that there is an active I

self and an objective me self. The I self is

active and initiates action. The me self continues,

interrupts, or changes action depending on how others

respond.

Background

The CEO informed his companys Chief First Impression
http://youtu.be/zGv1Nay2z-Uhttp://youtu.be/zGv1Nay2z-U


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Officer (CFIO, the individual at front desk) that

several candidates for Manager of Marketing Services

were coming for interviews. Wanting the organization

to put its best foot forward, the CEO gave a list to

the CFIO so she could prepare to meet and greet each

applicant.

The CFIO created personalized visitor tags, customschedules and information packets containing marketing

material for each candidate. She contacted every

employee involved in the pre-interview process,

reminding each of when and where, and also set up the

interview room so that it included three chairs: one

for the candidate, one for the CEO and one for a

consultant (yours truly).

My job was to interview each possible candidate whilethe CEO observed. This way, I would ask questions

while the CEO learned interview techniques and formed

his own opinions real-time. Later we would compare

notes on body language and verbal responses to assess

each individual.

As the CEO and I waited, the CFIO called to tell usthe first possible candidate had arrived. The CFIOs

voice sounded hesitant, uncertain. Something was up!

Her voice was usually so confident and upbeat.

Three individuals walked in. As I scurried to findadditional seating, I asked the possible candidate,

Who do you have with you? Even though I had a strong

hunch, I didnt want to assume.

These are my parents, Wes and Carol, he said. WOW! I had heard about these situations, read about

them, but never experienced one first-hand. Was this


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the new Business as Usual?

Unfazed, I acknowledged Wes and Carol with a smile anda nice to meet you and began the interview as I

normally do. I started with pleasantries aimed at the

candidate, asking about his travel to the interview.

Then I outlined the overall structure of the process,

including his understanding about the fact that this

was a pre-interview and if we liked him he would be

invited back to interview, introductions, people

involved, time he would have to ask questions and

anticipated timing for follow up.

Then I changed my usual routine. I know people haddifferent views of self, but including parents in a

possible job interview was strange to me. I remember

from my Sociology class that the Social Interactionist

view of Self refers to a reflexive process and

includes a person's subjective stream of consciousness

and his/her concept of self as a physical, social, and

moral being. On the other hand I remembered that the

Self is also known and shaped through social

interactions, so while I knew having his parents in

the room with him obviously made my possible canidate

more comfortable I knew the CEO was not interested in

the candidate and I did not want to waste his

investment of time and resources, so I switched

immediately into role-playing mode (an activity I

usually save for later). I figured either the

candidate would get unnerved and choose to leave

early, or if the candidate would do well, warranting a

further look.


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*The above picture describes the top interview questions asked,

questions you should ask during an interview as well as someanswering tip


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*The above job interview photo is an detailed example of a job

interview and the different ways it can twist and turn depending

on how prepared the applicant is.

Scenario

INTERVIEWER: Anne-Marie, why should we hire you?

ANNE-MARIEI am the best candidate for this job because I

am highly motivated with a compassion for understanding in

all aspects of a job. This drive is what allows me to

differentiate myself for other candidates. I am also very

inquisitive, which allows me to feed my ability for

perfection. I would be most pleased to join your company

and share your vision for success.

INTERVIEWER: Lets assume you get hired as Manager of

Marketing Services.

Congratulations! Now think about your five direct reports,

think about your office space, think about your clients.

Today is your first day on the job. An urgent situation

comes up and you need to make a decision and lead your

team. Would you say decision-making in critical situations

is an important part of the managers job?

ANNE-MARIE: Yes! very important. Impression management is

key to my doing well with this job. To be able to make

decisions, applying critical thinking skills in an instant

is vital.

INTERVIEWER: Why do you want this job?

ANNE-MARIE I want this job because it seems tailored to my


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competencies, which include sales and marketing. As I said

earlier, in a previous position I created an annual growth

rate of 22 percent in a flat industry. This is not only a

fine opportunity, but this company is a place where my

qualifications can make a difference. As a finance

executive well versed in the new stock options law, I see

this position as made to order. It contains the challenge

to keep me on my toes. That's the kind of job I like to

anticipate every morning.

INTERVIEWER: So to be clear, youre saying that being

called upon at any time, without notice, and responding

appropriately is a skill critical to this position?

ANNE-MARIE: Yes. My mutable self is highly adaptive to

rapid social and cultural change.

INTERVIEWER: Would you say having a boss with the ability

to make decisions using critical thinking skills is

important for ones development and guidance?

ANNE-MARIE: Absolutely.

INTERVIEWER: So, if you are chosen as your role as manager,

with five direct reports, is your critical thinking skills

and decision-making important for you to be an effective

leader?

ANNE-MARIE: Absolutely.


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INTERVIEWER: Well, Anne-Marie you seem like the kind of

person who would thrive here. I can not speak too soon but

you seem like you would fit right in with our company! You

will hear from us early next week. Do you have any

questions for us before we wrap up here?

ANNE-MARIE: Yes as a matter of fact I have a few:

1.What would you say are the top two personality traitssomeone needs to do this job well?

2.What improvements or changes do you hope the newcandidate will bring to this position?

3.Do you like working here?4.If I were to start tomorrow, what would be the top

priority on my to-do list?

4 days after Interview

I was able to skip the official interview process because

the Boss liked my interpersonal communication skills as

well as my professionalism and expedited my application.

Needless to say after I herd this they told me I was hired

and that they would love to have me as an addition to their

company! I start next week, wish me luck

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I think I am, therefore I am