Modes

What mode are you in right now? You may intuitively know exactly what I’m talking about.

Ever interrupt a conversation and the person changes their conversation style/demeanor? That’s an example of someone switching modes.

Are modes just putting a mask on, or being disingenuous? No, like so many things in experimental psychology, I look at it like a program, or a template being overlaid because it is appropriate and useful.

Like multitasking, switching modes can cause the expenditure of energy. It is more useful and more efficiant to stay in a mode for a longer period of time.

What does a mode look like? Think parent, manager, salesperson, CEO, husband, supportive friend, success-minded accomplice, etc. And engaging one of the modes in the wrong setting can be confusing, detrimental or even worse (drinking buddy mode at the CEO round table is not a good idea).

Overlap

But there is overlap, and the overlap is what we are even when a mode is applied. This may sound similar to finding your core directives, which is discussed in the my upcoming book. When you figure out your core you figure out quite a book.

Let’s raise your awareness of this concept, and give us something to think about.