- Consciousness: knowing what and how I am thinking and being willing to be aware of my actions and their affects
- Craftmanship: knowing I can continually master my craft, pursuing ongoing improvement and excellence rather settling for 'this will do'
- Efficacy: knowing I have the capacity to make a difference and being willing to take the responsibility to do so
- Flexibility: Knowing that I both have and can develop options and being willing and able to demonstrate respect and empathy for other perspectives
- Interdependence: understanding that we are both individual and part of a whole in which each variable affects another and being willing to contribute to that whole through both contributing and receiving from it.
In brain terms, a state is composed of a cluster of neural firing patterns that embed within them certain behaviours, a feeling tone, and access to particular memories. A state of mind makes the brain work more efficiently, tying together relevant (and sometimes widely separate) functions with a 'neural glue' that links them in the moment.
Craftmanship: This is associated with refinement - seeking mastery of your craft through ongoing learning.
Efficacy: This state of mind acts as the driver. It is an internal drive to seek and produce new knowledge and solve problems. Efficacious people are able to operationalize concepts and translate them into deliberate actions, while using feedback loops to continue learning.
Flexibility: This state of mind enables choice. Flexible thinkers are empathetic and able to see multiple perspectives. They are open to ambiguity and able to engage with change. They are able to use both broad and detailed thinking.
Interdependence: This state of mind is what brings the individual together with the whole. Interdependent people value, draw on and contribute to the resources of others. They see themselves and their actions as part of a larger system to which they have the ability and responsibility to contribute.
Developing these frames of mind seems to have many implications to me - not only for teachers but for anyone who wants to engage more fully in life and have an impact through who they are and what they do. Becoming aware of what I believe and value and what I want to do with that, then refining, driving, adapting and joining with others to pursue that - that's what makes things meaningful for me.
Source: Costa, A. and Garmston, R. 2013. Cognitive Coaching Seminars: Foundation Training Learning Guide (9th ed.)