Yesterday’s post referenced the increased accountability we have to act on an intention when we tell other people beforehand what we intend to do.  Telling others increases the probability that you will act as you said you would do.

Epictetus references a correlating point about relating your intent and then acting or performing in front others.  It is human nature to want our more public actions to be well received by others.  There is a strong relational dynamic that we want to deliver so well that others are impressed.

An applying learner should become conscientious that we can become overwhelmed or overwhelm others when we purposely engage ourselves and/or others in these situations as a leader.  Will the increased motivation to act be good for you and/or for others in the end?

Remember, we aren’t able to control the response of others when you arrange for this dynamic as a learning opportunity with others.  Use this insight with sound reasoning beforehand, especially when arranging it for others.  Don’t push me to perform a piano recital on a stage in front of others, it wouldn’t end well for anyone.

Take a lyre player: he’s relaxed when he performs alone, but put him in front of an audience, and it’s a different story, no matter how beautiful his voice or how well he plays the instrument. Why? Because he not only wants to perform well, he wants to be well received — and the latter lies outside his control.   —  Epictetus  —

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