How do you reply when asked: “Who are you?”
Christoff Oosthuysen’s coach, Martin Jimmink, uses the model of the “Identity Iceberg” to help his clients in answering this question for themselves.
Listen to Martin’s 10 minute interview with Christoff on applying the Identify Iceberg to Christoff as Business Improver and Flow Coach…
Christoff Oosthuysen interviewed by Martin Jimmink on his Identity Iceberg
What is the Identity Iceberg?
You can think of yourself as an iceberg, with just the tip sticking out of the water — that which is visible to the world.
Your “iceberg tip” is the BEHAVIOUR others can see and the ACTIONS you take. These actions are based on the decisions you make and the results you pursue.
So why is it then that people behave so differently and uniquely?
In answering this question, we need to go below the waterline, where most of the iceberg is hidden. It is not visible, but forms the biggest and most influential part.
In this identity model, the parts of the iceberg below the waterline are the skills, beliefs, values and identity of you as a person:
- SKILLS are what you’ve learn to do and what you’re good at.
- Skills are based on BELIEFS, which are what you hold to be true, but is not necessarily a fact. Beliefs are changed by significant emotional events or re-enforced choices you make yourself.
- Beliefs are based on VALUES, which are what you hold to be important (like people, results, or integrity). What you belief to be true based on your experience and your exposure.
- Long term change takes place at the level of IDENTITY. The words “I am” creates your identity.
Surrounding you is the ENVIRONMENT, like the water around the iceberg. Some people are pushed by the environment and are seen as “victims”, while others shape their environment and become “victors”.