How we interact in society affects how satisfied we are with where we stand within it. One character trait I try to learn about those that I speak with is how well the person feels that they can follow orders and have a clear structure.
Some people are excellent at it. For example a soldier in the army. They are able to recognize and respect authority and do exactly what they are told without hesitation.
Other people resist authority. They find themselves always wanting to do things their own way. They are not necessarily anarchists, of course, but rather they do not believe in the idea that someone else can or should tell them what to do.
How a Mismatch Can Create Problems
Many people are a mixture of the two, but most tend to lean in one direction or the other. Problems arise when there is a mismatch between the way that a person wants to react to the situation and what the situation calls for.
- For those that follow orders, the willingness to always do as told can cause people to make choices that go against their interests, prevent personal growth, or create an outcome that could have been avoided with individual considerations.
- For those that resist authority, challenges may include not completing work that was necessary for the community/workplace, becoming open to repercussions by those in positions of power, and possibly performing a task less adequately because they were unwilling to listen to directions or advice.
These are only examples of the problems that can occur. There is nothing right or wrong with being either someone that appeals to authority or resists it. But challenges do occur when a person doesn’t adjust their behavior to meet the situation at hand.
Knowing How to Evaluate and React
If you are someone that feels that they are frequently being told what to do, or you are someone that has been getting into trouble with authority, these are situations when it can help to speak with a therapist.
There is this belief that therapy is only for those that are struggling with their mental health. But sometimes it is about learning new skills. It’s important to know one’s self and what path to seek out in order to both be in situations that are the best fit and react to situations that may not be in line with your personality.
Those are some of the things that we do together in therapy. For more information about Long Island therapy, please call me today.
