IGNORANCE Often Wears A Mask - TAKING COMMAND! | TAKING COMMAND! ACHIEVING YOUR OBJECTIVES.

Saturday, March 05, 2011

IGNORANCE Often Wears A Mask - TAKING COMMAND!

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IGNORANCE Often Wears A Mask.

NOTE: This article was written by Douglas Castle, Chairman and CEO of TNNWC Group, LLC and was first published in his blog,TAKING COMMAND! It may be reproduced without permission provided that full attribution is given to the author and this publication, and provided that the content is published in full, with images and live hyperlinks left intact.

Dear Friends, Commanders, Leaders-In-The-Making, Members of TNNWC and New Readers (phew!):

Ignorance, in our species, tends to either occur either innocently (i.e., because of a lack of education, experience, and good leadership examples, or due to other unfortunate circumstances beyond the control of the individual), or indolently (because of an unwillingness to learn, because of excessive sheltering, or because of excessive isolation from reality due to protection by various gatekeepers, handlers, servants, and others who tend to cluster about and "insulate" those of power, position and privilege - years ago, when sexism was permitted, we referred to these persons as "yes men" or as "dangerously ambitious men," depending upon their motivations and intentions... in the interest of being Politically Correct, I will say, for the record, that there are indeed "yes women" and "dangerously ambitious women"). Indolent ignorance often partners with insecurity inside of the same person, necessitating the need for that person to exhibit some type of defensive mask.

Your Message: When listening to someone (under any circumstances), listen for the underlying substance of what they are saying and don't be mislead by the style of it.

Keep an open mind, but be skeptical -- to an extent, reasonable skepticism is healthy.

Beware the masks that disguise a lack of knowledge, desperation or hidden agendas and nefarious purposes. Indolent ignorance can be exhibited by national leaders, very wealthy people, police in the interrogation room, cult leaders and even (sadly) those who would call themselves "authorities," "allies," "partners," "coaches," "mentors," or "teachers."

What are the most popular masks? Since you've asked, I'll answer:

1. Extreme bravado;

2. A complete unwillingness to listen to alternative thinking;

3. The pretense of knowing certain facts that they "refuse to reveal" or "cannot reveal" to you because of some lame excuse or another;

4. An abhorrence to any questioning or inquiry;

5. Saying "I/ we already know, but refresh our memory," or, "we've already heard the story, but tell us your version..."

6. Those who readily define things or people with labels or in terms of extremes, but do not allow for any qualification, hesitation or subtle differentiation;

7. Those who never apologize, regardless of the circumstances;

8. Those who constantly blame others for all of their misfortunes;

9. Those who have never, ever been successful, but who profess to be able to make you into a "sure winner."

10. Those who never, ever ask for advice, or for your opinion of anything.

Indolent ignorance, especially when combined with either insecurity or a need to control or manipulate, often wears a mask.

Never be afraid to question what lies behind the mask, or who the person is "behind the curtain."

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

TAKING COMMAND! - http://takingcommand.blogspot.com/