TPOVs @F-L-O-W
Corporate
It’s important to understand this
TPOV because it has wide-ranging effects across
BS and @F-L-O-W.
Corporate refers to a "designation"
that I have given a
MetaSystem (System of Systems) name.
It takes its name from
"corporation" or "chartered company" where individuals can be
protected from liability because they create a "corporate
veil" of accountability. Owners are investors, who do
not manage the company: the corporation as an identity and as
an entity.
The CORPORATE is said to be
non-living. However, in FLOS, it would be realistic to
consider them alive as an entity and identity because moving
forward; these "organizations" will act as if they were alive.
They will have all the attributes of a living system, as in
auto-poetic, or possibly self-referring according to the
Santiago Theory of Cognition, by Maturana and Varela.
CORPORATE is one of four such
MetaSystems that we are concerned about as they emerge out of
what I refer to as a Values Basin, or Values Attractor. They
were noted by Dr. Clare W. Graves and made popular in the
mid-nineties with the publication of Spiral Dynamics in 1996,
by Don Beck and Cris Cowan in a colored framework. It
was hypothesized by David McClelland in his book Human
Motivation in 1988, as
Power, Achievement, Affiliation, and
a mention of Avoidance.
My difference with Spiral Dynamics®
is that I do not attribute hierarchal value directly to these
basins–one being more hierarchically advanced than another
per se. I see them in a network, versus a spiral, where every
person demonstrating these value "effects" can be judged
independently, rather than collectively based on values they
express at any one time.
I also see people moving among this
network of values, using what they can from each system to
resolve existential tension, but having roots in one basin
primarily.
CORPORATE represents as clearly as
I can see now, the "express self, respect others" values from
an entity formed representing the interests of others for a
profit based on the Ach or Achievement Motive System,
as discussed by McClelland.
Characteristics of this system are
win-win, strategy, tactics and profit, materialism,
consumption, status or "bling", rivalry, rewards, goal
achievement, enterprise, focus on results, growth, mobility,
influence, sales, development, keeping score, prestige, and
posturing.
successful exercise of talent.
To overcome obstacles and
attain a high standard.
To excel oneself.
To rival and
surpass others.
The names for the other three
MetaSystems are not as clear for me at this time, but will
emerge over time. They represent the four conceptions
of mature adult personality taken from Dr. Graves Primary
Research reported in Levels of Existence Authored by William
R, Lee.
I paraphrased them here in relation
to McClelland’s Social Motives:
(To Hell with Others, added later)
Avoidance* – Sacrifice of Self to
Get Later
Achievement – Express Self, Respect
Others
Affiliation – Sacrifice of Self to
Get Now
*Discussed by McClelland, but not
named as one of the Social Motives per se, but added by me in
attribution.
Helpful Hint:
CORPORATE is brightening now, which
means that not only are people fit to the existential
conditions where their attributes are getting them the most
bang for the buck, but also where global expansion is now
riding on the heels of CORPORATE and what they can do for
society.
As corporate accelerates, they
strengthen the need for the consumtariat, as the two feed on
each other literally and figuratively. This synergy is
producing widespread effects, which are not altogether,
desirable long term.
Action Step:
Notice in the media how the
messages you receive are from some "entity" about something to
BE, DO, HAVE, or BECOME… and you can see how CORPORATE
is working to provide us with that "whateveritis" for our
consumption in line with triggers for our unconscious motives,
drives and values.
If you have any comments, questions, suggestions, or
need some additional help, please use the form below to
submit them. Someone will get back to you within
48 hours. Or if you prefer, at the bottom of this
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We hope you pick up valuable insights, ideas, and
tools during this process, which you can use for your own development as
well as your work and leadership with others.
You, Me, and We @F-L-O-W
Mike R. Jay is a developmentalist utilizing
consulting, coaching, mentoring and advising as methods to offer
developmental scaffolding for aspiring leaders who are interested in
being, doing, having, becoming, and contributing… to helping people
have lives.
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