Personal Mastery consists of a number of scales. Based on the work of Peter Senge, it measures factors that contribute towards emotional maturity and resilience. People who score high on these scales are likely to cope with life in a mature way and overcome difficulties they encounter with relative ease. In Senge's own words, this concept is defined as follows: "People with a high level of personal mastery live in a continual learning mode. They never 'arrive'. Sometimes, language, such as the term 'personal mastery' creates a misleading sense of definiteness, of black and white. But personal mastery is not something you possess. It is a process. It is a lifelong discipline. People with a high level of personal mastery are acutely aware of their ignorance, their incompetence, their growth areas. And they are deeply self-confident. Paradoxical? Only for those who do not see the 'journey is the reward'. " - (Senge 1990: The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization)
The six factors on which we focus our attention aggregate to provide an overall index, that suggests the degree to which an individual has progressed on this personal journey. A critical aspect of this index is its relative nature, because it is reported in terms of the population in which you find yourself.
The term 'personal mastery' is used to describe a person's ability to maintain internal stability at the ego level of existence. Someone who has achieved personal mastery is able to successfully manage their dependency needs, and has learned how to become viable and independent in the sense that they are self-sufficient, and are not beholden or dependent on others for their survival, relationship and self-esteem needs.
Learning to develop your personal mastery skills and capabilities is largely a cognitive process that requires a commitment to personal growth. The skills and capabilities involved are simple and easily understood, as long as you remember that whatever emotions you are experiencing have been created through your beliefs.
The six Personal Mastery factors – measure and offer an indication of a person’s overall effectiveness. They also pinpoint related behaviours that may need building. Our feedback reports offer developmental input that enables self-paced learning.
Our Emotional Resilience lens – measures, reports and offers developmental input in three areas and includes a series of self-coaching questions designed to encourage growth.
Social Drives are derived from the work of Abraham Maslow and the later work of Richard Barrett. The Five Lens evaluation of the drives provides an indication of the needs and immediate concerns of individuals. These may be related to basic survival issues, or the need to affiliate with others in close relationship and feel a sense of belonging, or the need to be recognised more broadly as a trusted member of a larger community which enables self-esteem. In addition there may be a motivation to leave a legacy of some kind that makes a positive difference in the world that, in a way, transcends the self.
The three centers of intelligence are related to areas of the body and each represents a specific modality of mind.