Page 15 - The Edge - Fall 2020

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

BY DALE PONDER
Get Out of Your Box!

Dale Ponder

Recently, I was able to participate in a leadership professional other for. As an example, my boss may follow up with me on
development opportunity that our district has been trying something or sends people to help me. Then, I’ll view that
to re-schedule since early spring. This teaching provided as they see me as incompetent, undervalued, and incapable
the notion that our mindset drives behaviors, which lead to of completing the tasks. So, I’ll gather my peers and push
results. To change the outcomes to something desired, we the help away, which in turn makes my supervisor view me
need to start at the foundation – our mindset. as defensive and one-dimensional. What started with my
supervisor believing that I needed help turned into me being

The Arbinger Institute describes the inward mindset as, defensive and obstinate, which may have confirmed to them
essentially, “Others don’t matter like I matter.” Under this that I needed some assistance. See the circle or pattern of
mindset, other people become objects such as instruments destruction?
that I use to get what I want, impediments that I blame for
not being able to meet a goal or objective, or irrelevancies I’m sure that many of us can relate to having these types of
that I simply ignore. With this type of mindset, it's about MY behaviors. I’ll admit that I will sometimes get stuck in my
goals, MY needs, and MY concerns – you don’t matter like I inward box and others may be able to relate to this more during
matter, because I’m more important. When you are within this this pandemic. At the initial onset of COVID-19, I’ll admit
mindset, this is called being in your “inward box.” that I was more focused on seeking solutions to unanswered
questions or concerns, instead of looking for opportunities
How do you know when you are in the box? Here are some that may assist others better. Since March, I believe that we
self-awareness tools that may help you identify when you are have become so overwhelmed with working through all this
“in the box,” through self-betrayal, inward styles, or collusion. adversity that we may be conditioned to this new way of
With self-betrayal, you may feel victimized or get defensive, thinking.
may focus on yourself, or label others. For me, I justify my

actions. My actions were justified because of what others did. I challenge you to take the time to step out of our box.
I may even have the attitude of being without a choice, and
my response was the only option available. Sounds a little like So, how do you do that?
blame too, right? The inward style relates to characteristics in
how we may view ourselves. With this mentality, you may When you read it, it will seem quite obvious – and it is.
have a sense of superiority. You could also look at yourself The key is that the order must be done sequentially and not

from the opposite angle as deficient, broken, or at risk of in reverse order. The foundation is your attitude, mentality,
being judged. Some practical examples of this might be that
you make an important point in a discussion and others ignore
it, or someone else makes a decision that you thought was
yours to make. You may not want to ask questions about a new
process that is being introduced, that you don’t understand,
because others may judge you as inadequate and incompetent.

The last tool is collusion. Being a former procurement

practitioner of the district, when I first heard that, my mind

went to a “Non-Collusion Affidavit” where a bidder certifies

that they have not deceived or engaged in anti-competitive
practices while developing their offer. In this case, collusion
is a mutually destructive pattern or cycle whereas two people
with an inward mindset accuse one another more – the more
they provoke the very behavior that they are criticizing the
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