Thoughts on Self as Instrument

by Gwen McCauley

One of the more powerful approaches to organizational change that has been pioneered by people like social psychologist Edie Seashore is Self as Instrument. My interpretation of the Self as Instrument concept is that all each of us has is ourSelf and that when we take the time to know ourSelf, to tap into our power and to gain clarity about what we want to achieve in the world or a given situation, each of us carries the potential to create miracles. We don’t need experts, high priced consultants, bosses, parents, and senior leaders to create the changes we seek: we simply need to be deeply connected to ourSelf and to believe that we have it what it takes to create.

The metaphor of a “thought virus” is one which is ever present for me when I think of Self as an instrument of change. And if I’m a thought virus moving through the world, I am contagious. That means I need to be very mindful of what I’m carrying and how contagious I am!

My on-going growth and evolution is critical in this process to continue to expand my capacity to be Self aware so that I increasingly know what strain of virus I’m carrying and can add, change or delete those things about me and my life which I want to take on, modify or let go of. Increasingly, I am drawn to consider questions such as:

• Who do I get to be/become if I do/don’t do X
• By paying attention to X, what else is it that I get to not have to pay attention to?
• What is my intention in life such that engaging/not engaging X makes sense?
• Who else might I become if I consider X differently?

These sorts of questions are perpetual reminders that who I am is not a static, fixed thing. I am continually growing, evolving and unfolding based on the moment-by-moment choices I make.

How contagious I am relates to the intention I carry for how I use mySelf in this world.What is my purpose?Are the places and people I hang out aligned with my intention and purpose?Do I engage in conversations that reflect my purpose? Does my work engage my purpose? Am I open to surprises and new learnings> that can expand my intention? Am I having fun?Am I a living expression of what I hold to be important as I move through my day and my life?

I have discovered that I am most contagious as a thought virus when I am authentic and congruent within myself.I know that I am authentic and congruent when everything feels aligned:my mind is still; my words flow effortlessly and I am aware that I am speaking what is true for me in the moment, whether those around me share that truth or not; my body feels relaxed and open; I am open and curious about those around me without feeling the need to take on their opinions.

I have found that moving through life this way creates an “attractor” state which helps draw to me those people who are looking for what I have to offer.And in the same way I am attracted to others who resonate for me.Then we can engage the dance of discovery, sharing and creating change.Those who have a radically differing perspective simply fade away, seeking out someone else who is the attractor for what they have to offer.Most of the grinding, disruptive, disagreeable interactions with others simply fade off somewhere else.

The magic that underlies the concept of Self as Instrument is that each of us has a life-long invitation for growth and evolution.Always exploring, always discovering, always inventing the next new Me.Life feels sublime now that I know that I never again have to be locked into an identity that is static and unchanging.Let’s face it, the Me I was at 30 would be hard pressed to engage the daily challenges of who I have become as I approach 60.The question then becomes:how do I stay meaningfully connected to my own growth and unfolding?

My response has been to co-create an organization committed to helping others in their pursuit of life-long growth and evolution.My sense of Self, my consciousness, my sense of connectedness to something beyond Me is challenged daily by my interactions with my partners and clients.In this nearly perfect world I have created, I have an on-going sense of mySelf as Instrument and potent, virulent thought virus in the dance of awakening potential and creating change in individuals.And as individuals change, I know that teams and organizations are changed.

Gwen McCauley - coach, educator, writer and veteran of the ‘employee to entrepreneur’ transformation process, Gwen brings wit, wisdom and worldly experience to the process of self-discovery. Whether she is working with clients in a coaching or workshop setting, Gwen weaves practical approaches with provocative thinking for those exploring career or life transition, leadership potential, increased personal effectiveness or expanded creativity. Gwen is Co-founder and Executive Director of The WEL-Systems® Institute and ProGenerations its operating division specializing in corporate applications.. Her qualifications include being a WEL-Systems:NLP Program Leader, a certified CODE Model Coach™, a Quantum TLC™ Facilitator. Gwen holds a BA in Anthropology and an MA in Human Systems Intervention.

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