Sensemaking

In my organizational theory class, we recently read excerpts from a book entitled, "Sensemaking in Organizations" by Karl Weick. Sensemaking is essentially the idea that, within organizations' activities and pursuit towards effectiveness and success, individuals and actors within the organization will attempt to "make sense" of what is happening and their surrounding environments, and this largely shapes the activity of the organization as individuals interrelate with one another. At the same time, Weick notes that it is hard for individuals to arrive at a common identity for the organization or situation, partly because each individual makes sense from their own perspective. Even these perspectives adjust continuously because people tend to see themselves and others differently as they interact with others. To illustrate this idea, Weick quotes from Pablo Neruda:

We Are Many
Of the many men who I am, who we are,
I can’t find a single one,
they disappear among my clothes,
they’ve left for another city.

When everything seems to be set
to show me off as intelligent
the fool I always keep hidden
takes over all that I say.

At other times, I’m asleep
among distinguished people,
and when I look for my brave self,
a coward unknown to me
rushes to cover my skeleton
with a thousand fine excuses.

When a decent house catches fire,
instead of the fireman I summon,
an arsonist bursts on the scene,
and that’s me. What can I do?
What can I do to distinguish myself?
How can I pull myself together?

All the books I read
are full of dazzling heroes,
always sure of themselves.
I die with envy of them;
and in films full of wind and bullets,
I goggle at the cowboys,
I even admire the horses.

But when I call for a hero,
out comes my lazy old self;
and so I never know who I am,
nor how many I am or will be.
I’d love to be able to touch a bell
and summon the real me,
because if I really need myself,
I mustn’t disappear.

While I am writing, I’m far away;
and when I come back, I’ve gone.
I would like to know if others
go through the same things that I do,
have as many selves as I have,
and see themselves similarly;
and when I’ve exhausted this problem,
I’m going to study so hard
that when I explain myself,
I’ll be talking geography.

by Pablo Neruda (1968)
(From EXTRAVAGARIA, translated by Alastair Reid).

I know that I can relate to this in ways - I have felt like there are times I summon the "hero" in me only to be disappointed to find my "lazy old self" show up instead. In a sense it is poetic justice that we are humbled when we try to stand out in our pride and show ourselves off to others. I find encouragement though in thinking about sanctification. While our lives are currently torn between status of saint and sinner, we have hope that one day we will be perfectly made in Christ's image...I'm thankful for that!