If someone asks you the question, "Who are you?" how would you respond? Most people respond by stating their name. For instance, I would respond, "My name is Leigh." But, does my response tell you anything about who I am?

What if I asked you to tell me about yourself? How would you respond? More than likely you would respond by listing your roles and positions followed by your interest.

So, who are you? Do you know? Are you merely a name, or are you much more?

We often fail to realize that our roles and positions help to define who we are. For example, I am a student, daughter, educator, consultant, and guardian.

DEFINING YOUR ROLES AND POSITIONS

Roles and positions are interrelated but have different meanings. Roles are the different parts we play when we interact with other people. Positions are our locations within a collection of interconnected roles. A role includes the duties or obligations of the position.

In order to define your roles you must first understand that for every position there is an expectation of what should be the behavior of a person who holds that position. For example, educators are expected to teach, assist students, grade papers, etc.

Defining your roles and positions help you to better manage them and maximize your role performance.

MANAGING ROLES AND POSITIONS

Every individual learns that certain behaviors are expected of him as an occupant of a particular position. In other words, he learns the role associated with the position.

Everyone occupies a number of different positions and therefore has a number of different roles. However, few people learn how to effectively manage them all. Usually ineffective management is due to ambiguous understanding of role expectations and/or the burden of managing the behaviors associated with multiple roles.

In order to manage your roles and positions in a more efficient and effective manner, list each role and position you hold followed by the behaviors that are expected of you as an occupant. Show your list to someone such as your husband, wife, or boss who can tell you if you have accurately captured what is expected of you.

Give your list careful thought and make necessary revisions to the expected behaviors. From this list you should be able to effectively and efficiently manage your roles and positions.

MAXIMIZING ROLE PERFORMANCE

Socially appropriate role performance requires knowledge about what is expected, the ability to perform what is expected, and the motivation to perform what is expected.

Learning to define and manage your roles and positions provides you with knowledge of what is expected. However, you determine your ability to perform what is expected and your motivation to perform what is expected.

After final list revisions are completed, examine the list carefully to determine your ability to perform each role and position. Only you can make that determination because only you know how much responsibility you can manage. Remember your goal is to maximize role performance.

You've determined that you have the knowledge and the ability to perform what is expected. But, are you motivated to perform what is expected? Never accept a role or position that you are not motivated to perform. Generally, you will not do a good job if you are not motivated even if you have the knowledge and the ability.

In order to maximize role performance all three ingredients must be present - knowledge, ability, and motivation.

Knowledge of roles and positions should help you to better understand who you are and empower you to look beyond your name into your inner self.

So, the next time someone asks you, "Who are you?" make sure you not only give them your name but also inform them about your roles and positions. Your roles and positions are part of the essence of who your are.