I listened to an experienced consultant run through document that captured the compressed work of his team. I have no idea where he was. From the background sounds, he was not speaking from a traditional conference room or private area. Despite the distractions that would have derailed you or me, I came away thinking that I wanted to continue the conversation. I could sense the depth of the skills. His ability to discuss the breath of our business was beyond question. There was and is a maturity in his dialogue. We will meet in due course. Until then, his persona will be with me, asking questions, exploring my thinking.
The 45-minutes triggered a quest. Do I understand the persona that I am present to others? Is the image others see the one I want to project? What is the link to the person within?
It is interesting to link the three questions together. Others can see what we do not. I wonder if Ananias knew how others saw him. From Paul’s viewpoint, noted in his commentary on his first meeting, Others knew.
“And that’s when I met Ananias, a man with a sterling reputation in observing our laws—the Jewish community in Damascus is unanimous on that score.” (Acts 22.12)
My guess is that Ananias was aware. I look around me, observing how others have disconnected their self-perception and the community’s consensus. It is easy to be cynical until I begin to look in the mirror. I am not so sure that I am any different than the people I criticize.
I do find that self-aware people have some consistent traits linked back to their awareness. First, awareness seems to come with a sense of humbleness. The combination of good and bad, strengths and weaknesses, opens one’s vision to picture with lots of detail and texture.
Second, awareness seems to come with a sense of responsibility. Said another way; just because one could does not mean one should.
Third, awareness always precedes a call to action. Without action, awareness is wasted.
Do I see? Will I act?
