I was thinking about what to blog about this week after the summer break. It was pouring. It’s a reminder that there are some things in life that we simply cannot control. We can’t stop the rain from falling, just as we can’t control the actions of others or the events that happen around us. What we can control is how we respond to these external events. Have you ever thought about where is your locus of control?
Some people may blame the rain for ruining their plans, while others may see it as an opportunity to stay indoors and do something they enjoy. This difference in perspective is related to concept which refers to the degree to which people believe they have control over the outcome of events in their lives.
Concept
A person’s locus of control can be either internal or external. If it’s internal, people believe that events in their lives are primarily the result of their actions. For example, when receiving test results, these people tend to praise or blame themselves and their abilities, thus becoming aware of how their actions affect the results. On the other hand, people with an external locus of control believe that life is controlled by external factors that they cannot influence, or that chance or fate controls their lives. They tend to praise or blame external factors, such as the teacher or the difficulty of the exam.
It has important implications for leadership development. Leaders with an internal locus of control are more likely to take responsibility for their actions and the results of their decisions. They are also more likely to be proactive and take initiative to achieve their goals. In contrast, leaders with an external locus may be more likely to attribute success or failure to external factors and less likely to take responsibility for their actions.
Impact
People can only improve themselves by raising their level of awareness. By focusing on the impact of their behavior, they can gather important information to make future decisions.
Let me give you an example. Maria and Simon are both up for promotion. Maria, who has an internal locus, believes that his hard work and dedication will pay off, and he will get the promotion. Simon, who has an external locus of control, believes that whether he gets the promotion is out of his hands and depends on factors such as luck or the decisions of his superiors. How does this shape their beliefs, thoughts, assumptions, and actions?
Having an external locus of control can have several effects. People with an external locus of control may feel buffeted by constantly changing conditions and their effects. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and lack of power in decision-making. It can also lead to frustration and anger.
In summary, knowing where our locus of control is is important because it can influence how we approach decision-making and problem-solving. Consciously focusing on the things we can control gives us the ability to learn and make decisions. When we take ownership of our outcomes, it’s easier to manage our emotional field and grow.
So again: where is your locus of control?
Image by Erik Witsoe at Unsplash