Develop Your Position

You need to build a position in the organization: one where you have security and success in your work. The inter-level Channels, used well, ensure your interests insofar as they involve working hard and feeling good about being employed.

Your position in regarding to handling your employed status is ensured via:

■ Your willing subordination (CG7 ↔ CG6)
■ Your conforming conduct (CG6 ↔ CG5)
■ Protection of your vulnerability (CG5 ↔ CG4)
■ Validation of your contributions (CG4 ↔ CG3)
■ Your continuing credibility (CG3 ↔ CG2)
■ Your determination (CG2 ↔ CG1)

Each inter-level interaction involves two or more Channels because there are two Centres in at least one of the levels—except for the lowest where the mutual interaction: Influencing Others-CG2_B↔Seeing a Challenge-CG1_B is about the personal  determination you bring to your work.

Personal Subordination (CG7 ↔ CG6)

Select Incentives-CG7↔Adjust to Developments-CG6
These Channels are about committing yourself body and soul to the organization and its policies.
Both CG6 Centres are relevant:►

By setting an example-CG6_S, on the basis of your chosen incentives-CG7_B you express an ownership of the organization's activities, values, goals and policies as defined by management. The reverse holds: by setting an example you can genuinely own the incentives provided.
This Channel is named in accord with its function: Ownership

By accepting instruction- CG6_O on the basis of your chosen incentives-CG7_B you express your submission to the organization's values, goals, and policies as demanded by management. The reverse holds: by accepting instruction you indicate that management made you an offer you couldn't refuse.
This Channel is named in accord with its function: Submission

Personal Conduct (CG6 ↔ CG5)

Adjust to Developments-CG6↔Create a Presence-CG5
These Channels are about handling yourself flexibly on a day-to-day basis in a way that adapts to and supports the organization. There are 4 potential channels here.
Two Channels should not exist: ►

Set an Example-CG6_S and Join in Activities-CG5_O are opposite in nature. Joining in means submersion in the group, while setting an example is about being apart from others. Of course, you can set an example within a group activity if you are instructed to do so (CG6_O) or if you pay close attention (CG5_S) i.e. the influence between these Centres is indirect and mediated.

Accept Instruction-CG6_O and Pay Attention- CG5_Sare independent of each other. Paying attention is required before during and after any instructions whether or not you accept them. While there is no specific Channel, mediated influence can occur.

Two Channels are essential:►

Setting an Example-CG6_S influences Paying Attention-CG5_S and vice versa. It is intrinsic to setting an example that it should direct your attention e.g. to its effects, to noting feedback. Paying attention, conversely, ensures that a particular display or modelling for others occurs as and when relevant or necessary. Both these activities are unique to a particular person, and therefore carried out in a distinctive, even idiosyncratic, way.
This Channel is named in accord with its function: Individuality.

Accepting instruction-CG6_O affects Joining in Activities-CG5_O and vice versa. Joining in reinforces the acceptance of direction since most activities beyond the immediate work-role are encouraged (or they would not be permitted!) Acceptance of a direction supports joining in activities in a way that accords with that direction, and with staff more widely. In both cases, the staff en masse are directed, advised and encouraged similarly. So they therefore behave similarly.
This Channel is named in accord with its function: Conformity

Personal Protection (CG5 ↔ CG4)

Create a Presence-CG5↔Track your Position-CG4
These channels are about recognizing and handling personal vulnerability effectively.
Both CG5 Centres are relevant:►

Paying attention-CG5_S is needed to track your position-CG4_B intelligently. Without attention, you simply will not know where you stand. Conversely, by tracking your position, you will know where you have to turn your attention so as to understand what is going on and how you might be affected.
This channel is named in accord with its function: Vigilance.

Joining activities-CG5_O and tracking your position-CG4_B also influence each other directly. Joining in provides you with informal access to how you are being viewed within the organization. Conversely, by tracking your position, you can work out which activities require your greater engagement, and how to respond to those opportunities.
This channel is named in accord with its function: Intelligence.

Personal Validation (CG4 ↔ CG3)

Track your Position-CG4↔Be Resourceful-CG3
These channels are about ensuring your performance is adequate and appreciated and that you are encouraged to persist. Or that you recognize that you must change tack.
Both CG3 Centres are relevant:►

Tracking your position-CG4_B affects thinking creatively-CG3_S in that you need creative efforts to be supported, even specially rewarded, to be willing to give them full play. Creative thinking will also give you useful ideas and impetus in regard to tracking your position.
This channel is named in accord with its function: Reinforcement.

Tracking your position-CG4_B influences use of your abilities-CG3_O directly in that the normal appraisal system should be formally recognizing your work and its quality. By using your abilities, you should be able to discover what management thinks of your efforts and the factors that impacted on your work.
This channel is named in accord with its function: Recognition.

Personal Credibility (CG3 ↔ CG2)

Be Resourceful-CG3↔CG2-Influencing Others
These channels are about being able to work effectively with others.
Both CG3 Centres are relevant:►

Using your abilities-CG3_S affects your ability to influence others-CG2_B because your positive efforts and effectiveness should encourage colleagues to listen to you and be willing to cooperate. Your influence on others, conversely, stimulates you to use your abilities so as to fulfil your part of the bargain.
This channel is named in accord with its function: Stimulation.

Thinking creatively-CG3_O powerfully affects your capability to influence others-CG2_B because introducing useful creative ideas has such a positive effect in relationships. Creativity vitalizes any well-functioning group and supports innovative initiatives. When you are able to influence others, you will tend to find that you are provoked, even inspired, to come up with creative thoughts.
This channel is named in accord with its function: Inspiration.

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NOW

• consider Channels that by-pass one level and so strengthen your position
  

OR

• Skip this systematic development of Centres and Channels and continue to the end result and what it shows.
• See the equivalent to this page for management handling employees.
• Go to a comparison of Management and Employee frameworks.

Originally posted: 17-Dec-2011