Status Roles
One of the most interesting psychological ideas out there is how people assign status roles. Now when I say status roles I'm not talking about celebrities or the rich and famous. I am talking about the everyday people that we see on a day to day basis.
On a podcast called Akimbo by Seth Godin he has an episode called "status roles" which is very impactful.
I find it very intriguing how we look at other peoples lifestyles and either deem them more important than us (higher status) or not important to anyone (lower status) just based off an individual's income or experience in life.
How did we get here?
From the start of our lives there is moments where our "status" is challenged by others. This could be an employer or a controlling elder in your family.
For me this was a family dynamic, the old fashion listen to your elders because they know more than you do. Though this is true in the moment the information may not be completely true.
See we perceive ourselves as lower than another person and allow ourselves to be taken control of. In my family if you rebelled against an elder this was considered talking back, and wasn't allowed regardless if the elder was right or wrong.
How are we programmed today?
This type of behavior is taken from our childhood to our adult lives and we may not be aware that it is happening. We exchange status roles all the time in moment by moment interactions.
This is all based upon how our minds are wired, but the most interesting part is that all of it perceived and not necessarily a reality.
Imagine your in a bank and you have a small account (not much money in the bank, believe I've been in this situation PLENTY of times ).
The bank teller tells you they need to go and get the branch manager to fix a problem with your account.
The branch manager comes to the desk and Wal -la , the game begins and insert status roles.
Since your account is small you may feel lower in status to the branch manager, just due to their occupation. The bank teller who works for the company and is listening to the branch manager could also be feeling the same way.
The branch manager ;on the other hand, who looks at your bank account. Realizes your account balance is low and could feel like they have higher status then everyone involved.
Now this is just one instance and the roles could easily change, if your bank account was Massive you may feel like the higher status person in the situation.
You see but, again it's all perceived by the beholder, in other words a narrative that we tell ourselves.
What needs to change.
Status roles don't need to make our lives more difficult than they already are. I've learned to let things go and just be myself regardless of the situation.
I believe once we are able to just let things flow rather than overthinking, life becomes easier.
Take life moment by moment and be confident that your impact is important regardless of anyone's status.
As Always, Stay Frosty.
While everyone has different roles, their status is equal, emphasizing that individuals are part of something larger than themselves. - Jay Wright