On Closer Examination, No Contradiction
Covey flatly says only independent people can choose interdependence; the one possible achievement necessarily precedes the other. His independent person has matured and developed strength of character sufficient for self-ownership and engagement-with-integrity. Peck seems to say we cannot ever be independent, but the only way to retain that impression is to filter out two closely associated adjectives, an adverb and his indictment of an ideal he scorns because it mandates lives without integrity, outside of community. The independence he locates out of reach is the lonely place of total adequacy and total self-sufficiency, that sidesteps give and take with other people. Elsewhere acknowledging that we are called to be whole and unique individuals, Peck says we never quite get there because interdependence, the truth of being, ultimately does not release us. Covey's language is different, but he more or less agrees:
| "Certainly, independence is vital; however, the problem is that we live in an interdependent reality. Our most important work, the problems we hope to solve or the opportunities we hope to realize require working and collaborating with other people in a high-trust, synergistic way—whether at home or at work. Having an interdependent mindset, skills and tools are vital, especially now as we work through challenges unlike anything most of us have ever seen in our life time." |
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S. Covey blog posted 3/19/09 |
We need good understanding of the relationship of what these terms refer to because so often we lament and dread choices (or apathy: as if no choice) of many others, and jump to conclusions after giving too little weight to what knocked them off balance and/or dis-integrated them. In such ways those forces and/or ideals made choices for their dreams seem foolish or impractical, compared to choices of adjustment and substitution. I believe the dreams are eclipsed, not eliminated, and that choices for them are subject to inspiration. Because it's so much less demanding (in both senses), we must become inspirations.
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Tags: community understanding collaborating mature balance synergy trust give and take self-sufficient force interdependent adequate character independent impractical ideal truth apathy inspire integrity being detriment alarm choice disintegrate person Covey whole adjustment mindset Peck diminish substitution self-ownership unique dream strength eclipse engage
I believe we must be independent in getting our basic needs so as we are not taken undue advantage of or force to do things that we do not want and interdependent in things that will do good to humanity as a whole.
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