To recap I gave you an up-close-and-personal look at the damage an OCS sib or friend can do. But the OCS adult doesn't have to be a relative or friend. This syndrome can affect any person within your personal and professional circle.
Take for example, a boss or supervisor. What about teachers or professors? Even a helping professional like a physician or dentist can have OCS. Some of you may recall the physician I blogged about several months ago--the middle-aged internist who had pledged to "Do no harm." In my case he did commit harm when he unleashed his anger at me for suggesting he might be well served by posting something about Valley -threatening disease endemic to the Southwest and recently worsening in Arizona and California. His insistence on retaining an all-powerful position collided with my need to spread awareness of Valley Fever. By "firing me" and telling me to seek out another physician, he damaged my self-esteem, which is always precarious due to my struggles with depression and anxiety. He also harmed his other patients by depriving them of the opportunity to learn about Valley Fever. Many people--even Arizona natives--have never heard of the disease, and some, even if they've heard of the disease, don't realize the symptoms or consequences.
So an OCS who happens to be a health professional can not only damage the relationship, but also affect the communication of key content.
Who's the biggest OCS adult in the world today? POTUS, aka the President of the United States. It doesn't matter whether you're a Democrat, Republican, or Independent. Our president uses his OCS to control, manipulate, degrade, and denigrate anyone who criticizes his agenda or disagrees with the manner of execution. Even his compliments and flattery are designed to guide people into playing passive roles in government and as citizens.
But beware of mistaking OCS as a syndrome that only affects those in positions of power such as police officers and CEOs of corporations. Men and women holding jobs of lower status and pay also fall victim to OCS. OCS can just as easily dog the FEDEX delivery person or check out person at COSTCO. Not too long ago I was a member of a local animal welfare organization. The president was a teacher but she also made time to help rescue and adopt out cats and dogs. But her management style did not sit well with many members. She related really well with animals but when it came to volunteers, she was more of a dictator than a diplomat. She ordered specific tasks more than she allowed people to come up with their own strategies to attain the same goals.
Some formerly OCS adults may change their ways if enough pressure is applied from bosses, but others employ the same techniques and methods they have honed over the years. Since I'm childfree I don't have to wonder if I've inadvertently created an OCS, ut all parents should take a long hard look at their children and decide if any children are showing the signs of OCS.
Next chapter: How Teachers and Parents Need to Pool Their Resources
Take for example, a boss or supervisor. What about teachers or professors? Even a helping professional like a physician or dentist can have OCS. Some of you may recall the physician I blogged about several months ago--the middle-aged internist who had pledged to "Do no harm." In my case he did commit harm when he unleashed his anger at me for suggesting he might be well served by posting something about Valley -threatening disease endemic to the Southwest and recently worsening in Arizona and California. His insistence on retaining an all-powerful position collided with my need to spread awareness of Valley Fever. By "firing me" and telling me to seek out another physician, he damaged my self-esteem, which is always precarious due to my struggles with depression and anxiety. He also harmed his other patients by depriving them of the opportunity to learn about Valley Fever. Many people--even Arizona natives--have never heard of the disease, and some, even if they've heard of the disease, don't realize the symptoms or consequences.
So an OCS who happens to be a health professional can not only damage the relationship, but also affect the communication of key content.
Who's the biggest OCS adult in the world today? POTUS, aka the President of the United States. It doesn't matter whether you're a Democrat, Republican, or Independent. Our president uses his OCS to control, manipulate, degrade, and denigrate anyone who criticizes his agenda or disagrees with the manner of execution. Even his compliments and flattery are designed to guide people into playing passive roles in government and as citizens.
But beware of mistaking OCS as a syndrome that only affects those in positions of power such as police officers and CEOs of corporations. Men and women holding jobs of lower status and pay also fall victim to OCS. OCS can just as easily dog the FEDEX delivery person or check out person at COSTCO. Not too long ago I was a member of a local animal welfare organization. The president was a teacher but she also made time to help rescue and adopt out cats and dogs. But her management style did not sit well with many members. She related really well with animals but when it came to volunteers, she was more of a dictator than a diplomat. She ordered specific tasks more than she allowed people to come up with their own strategies to attain the same goals.
Some formerly OCS adults may change their ways if enough pressure is applied from bosses, but others employ the same techniques and methods they have honed over the years. Since I'm childfree I don't have to wonder if I've inadvertently created an OCS, ut all parents should take a long hard look at their children and decide if any children are showing the signs of OCS.
Next chapter: How Teachers and Parents Need to Pool Their Resources
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