SELF-ESTEEM:Building process of self-esteem, Self-esteem and public image

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Human Relations MGMT611

Lesson 15

SELF-ESTEEM

Love thyself and self-esteem

"Love thy neighbors" is one of the world's best-known human relations principles. Yet most people forget

that the phrase ends as you those last two words are the foundation for accomplishing the first three. When

you maintain your self-esteem, you feel confident and free to express yourself without being overly

concerned with others' reactions; you work to fulfill your needs for achievement, strength, recognition,

independence and appreciation -- to reach your greatest potential. If you maintain low self-esteem, you are

plagued by doubts and anxieties that limit your ability to achieve success.

Self-esteem

Self-esteem: "Appreciating my own worth and importance and having the character to be accountable for

myself and to act responsibly towards others." Self-esteem can be thought of as the sum of self-confidence

and self-respect." There is no value judgment more important to man -- no matter more decisive in the

psychological development and motivation -- than the estimate he passed on himself."

Measure of self-esteem

Your measure of self-esteem is always a matter of degree. Your self-esteem reflects what you think and feel

about yourself, not what someone else thinks or feels about you, even though you are always reevaluating

yourself in light of others' comments about your behavior. Self esteem includes the personality traits you

believe you have, such as honesty, creativity, assertiveness, flexibility, and many more. Genuine self-esteem

is not expressed by self- glorification at the expense of others or by the attempt to diminish others so as to

elevate you.

Building process of self-esteem

"A child's life is a piece of paper on which every passer-by leaves a mark. Parents do not teach their

children self-esteem. But they do shape it with positive and negative messages.

· Bad boy! Bad girl!

You are great!

· You're so lazy!

You can do anything!

· You'll never learn.

You're a fast learner!

· What's wrong with you?

Next time you'll do better.

· Why can't you be more like..?

I like you just the way you are.

· It's your entire fault.

I know you did your best.

Childhood and self-esteem

Parental discipline is one way of telling children that parents care about them and what they do. When

someone cares about you, you tend to think more positively about yourself. The self-esteem formed in

childhood lays the foundation of your attitudes toward work, your future success, your personal abilities,

and the roles you play.

Media and self-esteem

The media play a strong part in how adolescents see themselves. The beautiful people featured on TV and

movies lead adolescents to use these unrealistic images to measure their own attributes and lifestyles. It is

easy to feel deficient in comparison. Instead of seeing who you really are, you see who you are not and

continually reinforce that negative image with your own inner thoughts, often referred to as self-talk.

Formative years of self-esteem

· The ages of twelve and eighteen are among the most crucial in developing and consolidating your

feelings about yourself. During these years, you are moving away from the close bond between

parent and child; and are attempting to establish ideals of independence and achievement

· You must also deal with physical changes; relationships with peer groups; an emerging, often

confusing identity; and the loss of childhood and the assumption of some adult responsibilities.

Human Relations MGMT611

· Is it any wonder that your self-esteem seemed to change not only day by day but also hour by hour?

Self-esteem and public image

· "First-rate people hire first-rate people. Second- rate people hire third-rate people." Individuals

with secure self-esteem realize that in helping others succeed, they benefit themselves as well.

· Acceptance of others is a good indication that you accept yourself.

· "People take you at the value you put on yourself. If you believe in your own power, other people

will believe you and treat you with the respect you've provided for yourself."

Hope and self-esteem

· Improving the person's physical image seemed to create an entirely new individual.

· In the legend, the king longs for an ideal wife. Because no mortal woman meets his expectations, he

fashions a statue of his ideal woman out of ivory and eventually falls in love with his creation. His

desire to make the statue his wife is so intense that his belief brings it to life.

· "When a doctor can instill some measure of hope, the healing process sometimes starts even before

treatment begins."

Mentoring

Mentors are peopling who have been where you want to go in your career and who are willing to act as your

guide and friend. They take you under your wings and show you how to get to the next step in your career.

They act as sponsors, teachers, supervisors, and coaches.

Conclusions

· Self-esteem is just like a driver of a car or a captain of a ship. It can take you to a glorious

destination or it can destroy any one's future. Self-esteem is a sum total of self-confidence and self-

respect.

· Self-confidence is a product of gaining and using knowledge to do things. If you do most of the

things successfully, you gain confidence and as a result, the self-worth of yours increases.

Activity: Thinking and learning about yourself

Can you recall two or three people from your childhood or adolescence who had a positive effect

on your self-esteem? What did these people say or do? Were there any who had a negative effect on

you? What did they say or do?

Identify at least two people who you feel exhibit the characteristics of people with high self-esteem.

Explain what behaviors helped you identify them.

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