I had recently attended a personality development programme *accidentally*. Yes accidentally..., because i had stopped attending them after my college days when we had over dosage of too many personality development programmes. And therefore i was even little careless in taking the trainer seriously , and was rather spending my time observing others.
Two people in room, made an interesting case to me. They made me feel that these programs can do more harm to people than do good
There was one man, who when entered the room was very energetic, full of enthusiasm and very social but when the program was about to end, he became very hyperactive, tensed, wanting to prove something and restless. The reason was just one psychometric analysis paper which showed him that his energy levels and self motivation was low and he needs improvement there.
The psychometric paper also showed that he is very honest and sincere...but then went unattended.
There was another lady in the room who sounded very authoritative from the beginning of the class. The trainer had asked each of us, what do u think are the qualities you want to change. I seriously dont' remember what i said :$, ya but this lady said 'i am very short tempered, and i want to change that'.
Sometime in the break i asked that lady if she has attended such personality development programs before. And she said from many many years she has been attending these kind of programs, and her main motive is to reduce her short temperament.
Well...since so many years what didn't happen, will it happen today ??!?! Are these personality programs helped her in anyways.
I think it has done her more harm. These programs have indirectly and silently hypnotised her by making her believe that she is short tempered. And now she is already in love with her short temperament and thinks that's her identity.
No human being, likes to leave his identity, irrespective of its good or bad. And nor will this lady do it.
It would have been great if the program had stressed more on persons strengths and told them how to capitalise on one's strengths instead of thinking so much on weaknesses. Who doesn't have weaknesses? If you are fat, people will say become thin. If you are thin, people will say you were cute when you were fat. If you are dark in complexion, then you need to become fair. if you are fair, then black is beautiful. So there is no end to it.
The best thing would be to fall in love with your strengths and make it your identity, and just be aware of your weaknesses.
(personality img source :http://lifeskills-consultancy.com/db5/00451/lifeskills-consultancy.com/_uimages/personality1.bmp)
9 comments:
My experience was bit odd and funny. Whenever I see the people around in these programs, i feel, they are very careful and try to be the good souls in terms of personality. The trainers always throw some psychometry tests which can work on any individual to fool him/her flat down :-)
I myself enjoyed some of the personality trainings but could not execute the learnings. May be I did never found those cases in my life at all.
But some people believe personality can be "developed". I have seen people literally behaving weird and odd after some of the personality trainings. I treat them as Apples turned Oranges types.
That was a good post.
good that u were not attentive. it didnt do u any harm.
i hv never attended any such class coz i very strongly believe that personality cant be developed in some 2-hr class. it develops by itself and that, in a broader sense, is called evolution.
As rightly argued by Anjana, the emphasis must be on "development of strengths" rather than "fixing of weaknesses".
Being human beings, we each have a vast number of quirks and peculiarities. There is no end to the number of 'weaknesses' that need to be fixed. Whereas, focusing on strengths and innate talent will lead to accomplishment and fulfillment.
This was the main theme of the book, "Now, discover your strengths" written by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton.
Good post Anjana. I have once attended a Reiki program arranged at my office while I was in Chennai.
I am not sure about the personality development programs as I have not attened any so far. This Reiki program taught a different concept about the universal energy and how to use it for personal benefit.
As you told, personality development program that reminds the attendees of their weakness is really bad. We should concentrate in our strengths rather. Anjana is right in posting this well writen small article.
i very enjoy your own posting way, very useful.
don't quit and keep writing as it just very well worth to read it.
impatient to look at more of your current posts, have a good one ;)
Well written..
This is pretty good post I really like it.
Dedicated .NET Developers
nice info!! can't wait to your next post!
comment by: muhammad solehuddin
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