Self-aware

Emerging awareness of inner life and of exceptions to rules; multiple possibilities.

How it sounds

Sometimes I feel lonely even when I'm with friends.

Rules are good, but there are exceptions.

Signs in writing

• 'sometimes' and contingencies
• vague sense of inner feelings
• comparisons of self to norms

Staying healthy at this stage

• pursue mastery in your field
• find mentors whose expertise you respect

Growth edge

• measure success by outcomes, not by being right
• seek feedback from people outside your specialty
• set goals that require others' cooperation

How to be heard at this stage

• respect their expertise
• use evidence and precise logic
• frame change as improving the craft

The same altitude in other models

Mapped by altitude, not measured: models track different lines.

• Expert Cook-Greuter
• Abstract Commons
• Synthetic-Conventional Fowler
• Socialized → Self-authoring Kegan
• Expert Torbert
• Order / Purpose Spiral Dynamics
• Law & social order Kohlberg
• Amber Wilber

Stage descriptions are paraphrased summaries for orientation, written for Worldview Lens; they are not the official scoring manuals. Example sentences were written to illustrate each stage.