Process-centered Counterfeit: Process-focused

Process-centered is an attempt to clarify what Maslow termed a “different perception of means and ends.” With this, Maslow sought to convey contentment and valuing of the journey, in addition to the outcomes. I add that, as a process-centered individual, you maintain consistent values in regard to process and outcomes. You make choices by a consistent standard: to violate my principles on the way to achieving my goals, even altruistic goals, is unacceptable.

The counterfeit of the process-centered individual is the process-focused individual. You give attention to the process, but have limited vision and expectation that any end results from your actions. You are always doing, but never producing. As a result, the group is hindered from building on successes and learning from failures. Since you unwittingly continue in a process without outcomes, you are unable to share the how with others.

A myopic and incomplete vision causes you to continually think that success just happens, without any necessary attention beyond what you are doing right now. You are content that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You mask your myopia in fatalism or feigned pragmatism. “If it’s God’s will,” or “I’m just enjoying what I’m doing right now,” you say. But, you have left much that was within your power undone. To others, you look like you are the picture of serenity. But, you have neglected to identify outcomes and thus the building blocks to your continual success. You remain blissfully ignorant as to whether tomorrow’s choices contradict the actions of today. Once you happen upon success, you will quiet your conscience then, conveniently forgetting the contradictions you wrought and the problems you created for me and others along your way.

To be truly process-centered, set a vision for yourself that is beyond what you can currently achieve. Plan systematically to accomplish that vision, making your expectations known. Enjoy the journey. Use both small successes and failures to clarify your expectations. Continue to develop, but also challenge yourself to learn more and take risks. The farmer who sows into the ground expects a harvest in due season. She toils not for planting, but for harvest. With each success, reap the consistency you have sown.

Problem-centered Counterfeit: Problem-focused

Problem-centered is unchanged from Maslow’s phrasing. He suggests that the problem-centered individuals believe that life demands solutions. I add that, as a problem-centered individual, you explore inconsistencies in your life and seek new knowledge with which to understand those inconsistencies.

The counterfeit is problem-focused. If you are problem-focused, you have a keen awareness of failures and shortfalls without the necessary solutions. You do not bother to seek new knowledge. You operate as if the recognition of the shortfall is the solution—a victory within itself. Being the person who predicts failure is not a productive team position. We know that failure looms. How do we, as a group, make failure less likely and success more likely?

Problem-focused, you seek to advance the false duality of perfection or imperfection. But, perfection can neither be achieved in isolation nor achieved once and for all. Perfection is a collective process. In human systems, it is incremental and multi-faceted. That means, our perfection will be the outcome of multiple solutions maintained over time. This also means that failure in one solution does not mean ultimate failure. We learn. We apply that learning to the next proposed solution. “Perfection is a myth,” you say. It is only a myth to those who fail to realize that anything worth achieving must be collectively nurtured, shared, and maintained.

Problem-centered, you address each problem as it reveals itself. You are proactive in your approach to challenges that wait on the horizon. Perfection is not a destination or an end result. You recognize that perfection is a commitment to solutions and collective activity, each of us combining our strengths to address the next challenge.

Reality-Centered Counterfeit: Insecure

Reality-centered is unchanged from Maslow’s phrasing. According to Maslow, as a reality-centered individual, you have the ability to differentiate fake from genuine. I add that you also possess the ability to identify your own giftedness and the gifts of others. You also have a keen sense of the emotional depth of others—an awareness of those who are not genuine.

The counterfeit of the reality-centered individual is the realistic individual. If you are realistic, you experience giftedness as negative competition and seek to disguise your own ambition by pointing out the ambition of others. You thereby improperly focus the attention on a false humility that serves to stifle the individual contributions of others in the group.

Insecure, you seek to deny that individual gifts are important to group success preferring rather to proffer the false duality of individuality versus collectivism. You believe that individual giftedness can only lead to conceit. You mask your own insecurity, conceit, and lack of perceived ability by expertly degrading the ideas and contributions of others. You rarely have an original idea, but you are quick to counterpoint the original ideas of another. When called on your insecurity and lack of contribution you retort, “I’m just being realistic,” or “I’m just playing devil’s advocate.” In polite company, you may be applauded for being realistic. The truth is you are a hater disguising your own reckless ambition.

To experience the genuine reality-centered characteristic, be the best you can be and allow me to be my best. Our best ideas on the same team will yield greater outcomes than my best ideas or your best ideas alone. My gift does not diminish the brilliance of your gift. If my skill set is best for the problem at hand, and I step forward, you must not stand in my way.