TRAINING  &  COACHING  for  MANAGERS & LEADERS

Case Histories

Systemic Identity (I)

© Martyn Carruthers & Janelle Doan (1995, 2004)

Who are we if we are not our bodies, nor our self-talk? Who are we if we are not our memories, nor our expectations? We ask, "What are the organizing principles around which we live?" Our answer is that these organizing principles are non-verbal experiences of integrated connectedness. We cannot describe them; although we generally call them facets of Integrity or Soul.

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While investigating the experience of integrity, we found that this experience seems to integrate all values, actualized and potential, in a harmonic and dynamic whole, while providing simultaneous inspiration, motivation and guidance. This experience underlies the philosophy of Soul Centered Changework and the applications called Soulwork Systemic Solutions.

Clare Graves

Abraham Maslow postulated that all humans have similar needs, and that they satisfy their needs in a predictable sequence. One of his students, Clare Graves, attempted to create a pencil and paper instrument to identify what needs were currently pursued. Graves later concluded that a person's needs change with his or her values; and that a person's values change in a predictable way. We used Graves' research to help understand the existential states of "identity" from which a person can experience the "integrated connectedness" that we call Soul. We call them Identity States.

Identity States

We combined Graves' research with our understanding of systemic abstractions. We began to see the structure of human mental, emotional and spiritual evolution manifested in the ways that we strive to be effective. Here we describe steps that lead from the non-conceptual experience typical of early childhood to the sophisticated world of a self-actualized person. This model also applies to groups, from nomadic pre-tribal bands to the people who created the United Nations.

We hope to lead you through an experience of each Identity State. You may remember times when you experienced some of your earlier states, and you may imagine states that you have not yet experienced.

You will better understand how other people think and act the way they do. You can use this information to increase your rapport with a wider variety of people and, hopefully, decrease any arrogance that your Identity State is more appropriate than somebody else's.

[ Identity Types 4, 5 and 6 ] [ Identity Types 7, 8 and 9 ]

This is not an attempt to pigeonhole people - all of us seem to have all of these "levels" available to us at all times. We hope you can better appreciate people with different values (and different worlds) to yours. Here are the first three of the nine Identities, as we understand them today:

1: “I survive!”

At my best I am self-sufficient. At my worst I am helpless. People like me were once common, before we grouped together into tribes. Today you can see people like me in abandoned children, in some retarded and senile people, and in some street people. You could become like me during a war or a famine or similar emergency. Imagine you are the sole survivor of an airplane crash in a remote region … you would likely act like me.

I cannot understand your religions or philosophies. We live and we die. Everything is a mystery! I know some things, like where to find food and shelter. I follow my instincts and adapt. I live in my senses - I touch, smell and taste things as much as I can.

More important than anything is a warm, safe place with food and drink. “Love” is how I feel about somebody who cares for me and reassures me, somebody who can touch me and give me food, drink and shelter. I show my love by unconditional acceptance.

Sometimes I want to live together with other people like me. Sometimes I want a strong caretaker.

2: “Our family / tribe must survive!”

Together, we can survive in this mysterious world. We need a strong chief, a knowing shaman, wise elders and powerful totems to protect us from other tribes and from the spirits that control us.

We are conservative. We totally obey our chief, shaman and elders. Our elders know what the spirits and ancestors want and help us please them. Our elders decide our roles and we rigidly follow them. We honor our ancestors, and tribal heroes.

In some ways we are like ancient tribes and pre-adolescent children. Look for us now in remote parts of the world and also find people like us in close families, in some cults and in some sporting teams.

If your totems are more powerful than ours, then we try to please your gods. We may try to adapt to you and your ideas about how we should live. If we cannot adapt to you or avoid you, we may drug ourselves or kill ourselves to escape from confusion and fear.

At our worst we are like slaves to our chief or cult. At our best we are loyal to our elders and trustworthy companions. We like to be in small groups with strong, caring chiefs. Do not assume we can read or that we can understand concepts like "owning land". When our needs are met, we may go away until we need something else.

Do not insult our tribe! Do not defile our sacred ground, violate our taboos or mock our rituals! Do not make the spirits angry! Do nothing that weakens us!

Our religion and traditions guide and protect us. We like rituals, fantasy, magical symbols and pictures. We learn best from stories of our ancestral heroes.

More important than anything is the survival of our tribe. "Love" for us is being accepted by our chief, elders and tribe members. We show love by obeying the chief and elders and by accepting you into the safety of our tribe.

Sometimes I would like to leave the tribe. Maybe I can start my own tribe, maybe I can be a chief.

3: “I must have power!”

In my world, the powerful dominate the weak. I want power and respect and I want it NOW! I fight all threats. If you try to shame or control me, I will rebel. You had better be more powerful than me!

I am aggressive and impulsive. I am selfish and I take what I can. I depend on myself and I may exploit you. My motto is "Might makes right". I cannot feel guilt (but if I have to, I can pretend like I do).

Look for me watching violent movies. See me in teenagers. Look for me in tough jobs and sports. See me in gangs and at violent crimes. Look for me in beauty and muscle contests. Find me in prison.

I can be bitter and hostile. At my worst I am a destructive rebel and can only tolerate other tough people, like in a gang or a prison. I often break your stupid laws. My only crime is getting caught! I may take drugs that make me feel more powerful.

I like attention and risks. At my best I am energetic and innovative. Like my heroes, I get what I want. I like to show my strength in tough work, but I may only work if someone powerful is watching me.

If I am not the most powerful, I will try to associate and be seen with powerful people. I want respect!

Do not waste my time with weak appeals. If you are weak I may exploit you! I will test your authority and reject your rules. I will do anything for the right reward. Dare me to do things! Show me how I benefit. Respect my strength and give me power.

Do not threaten me! Do not insult my relatives or enter my territory uninvited! Do not mock me! Above all, do not shame me before powerful people. I will try to get revenge!

My religion makes me feel good and tests my courage. Love me by respecting me and giving me space. “Love” is a word I use to get what I want. I show tenderness only when we are alone.

More important than anything is my immediate gratification of my desires. I want to have a good time.

As I get older, younger people fight me for my position. I want a respected permanent position. Sometimes I dream of stability and security.

Identity State 3 slogan:

“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for I am the meanest son-of-a-bitch in the valley!”

© Martyn Carruthers and Janelle Doan, March 1995, 2005. All rights reserved

We hope you find these descriptions useful. Researching them was instructive to us, and we can better appreciate and communicate with people. Other Identity types are described in Identity Types 4, 5 and 6 and Identity Types 7, 8 and 9.

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