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Sam988 · 08-10-2007, 03:49 AM

Level 7: Existential Level

“Express Self Now, but Not at the Expense of Others or the World, so that Life May Continue.”

According to Graves, a second cycle starts here, in which each level reflects the values of the corresponding level in the first cycle, but in a different realm. For example, Level 1 was about physical survival. A person moves from Level 6 to Level 7 in a search for survival, but not in the physical realm this time. Individual survival in the emotional and mental realm becomes a dominant need at Level 7. Having moved through all the lower Levels, and recognizing the disfunctional natures of people and groups at all the previous levels, this individual seeks a way of being and responding that produces results. He is tired of being self-absorbed and trying to solve the same problems in different guises. Individuals at Level 7 can adopt any of the lower levels as necessary, and as 7's begin to accept themselves, they also learn to accept other people at whatever level they are. 7's begin to develop true wisdom, flexibility, and ability to go with the flow. They begin to realize that long-term survival of the planet depends on wisdom, not on a powerful system from Level 4, advancing technology from Level 5 or touchy-feely group synergy from Level 6.

Uncertainty and complexity are handled well at Level 7, and functionality is critically important to 7's. They recognize the need to behave appropriately and contextually, while appreciating one's unique abilities or limitations. 7's feel the need to withdraw from group activities and become individualistic. They are not impressed with status or materialism but are influenced by knowledge and believe information is a key to solving problems. They think systemically and holistically, are the least egotistical of any of the groups to this point, and become concerned more with competency than appearances. Withholding information from 7's is a big problem for them. They tend to think politics and social games are dysfunctional and usually don't participate in them. 7's usually don't vote, don't go to therapy, don't join groups and clubs, and prefer to work alone or in small groups of like-minded individuals. They often feel misunderstood and think it is “lonely at the top”. At Level 7, people value diversity and respect other types of people, cultures, etc. 7's naturally look at the “big picture” and long term consequences. They become irritated and frustrated with the rigid thinking of the 4's and the lack of regard for nature of the 5's They may feel uncomfortable with the pointless hugging and emotional expressions of the 6's and crave deeper interpersonal connections.

Management at Level 7 is a matrix. The most competent person is in charge and makes decisions. Management serves mainly a supportive function for project-centered activity. Communication is only as needed. 7's hate unnecessary meetings and phone calls. They prefer to work alone or in small groups with each participant having a unique essential role.

Training for 7's involves giving them lots of information and they compulsively seek out information. They can learn by themselves from books, people, models, or the internet.

On the Myers- Briggs scale, 7's are introverted, intuitive thinkers (INT).

Transition to Level 8 begins when the 7 begins to realize that independence is a heavy burden. Just as the Level 1's naturally gravitated toward the formation of lasting associations, Level 7's crave personal contact also. Seeking out others with similar consciousness becomes a holy grail for 7's, and they realize they are only a part of a larger whole.

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08-10-2007, 03:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sam988 Family Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,232	Level 7: Existential Level “Express Self Now, but Not at the Expense of Others or the World, so that Life May Continue.” According to Graves, a second cycle starts here, in which each level reflects the values of the corresponding level in the first cycle, but in a different realm. For example, Level 1 was about physical survival. A person moves from Level 6 to Level 7 in a search for survival, but not in the physical realm this time. Individual survival in the emotional and mental realm becomes a dominant need at Level 7. Having moved through all the lower Levels, and recognizing the disfunctional natures of people and groups at all the previous levels, this individual seeks a way of being and responding that produces results. He is tired of being self-absorbed and trying to solve the same problems in different guises. Individuals at Level 7 can adopt any of the lower levels as necessary, and as 7's begin to accept themselves, they also learn to accept other people at whatever level they are. 7's begin to develop true wisdom, flexibility, and ability to go with the flow. They begin to realize that long-term survival of the planet depends on wisdom, not on a powerful system from Level 4, advancing technology from Level 5 or touchy-feely group synergy from Level 6. Uncertainty and complexity are handled well at Level 7, and functionality is critically important to 7's. They recognize the need to behave appropriately and contextually, while appreciating one's unique abilities or limitations. 7's feel the need to withdraw from group activities and become individualistic. They are not impressed with status or materialism but are influenced by knowledge and believe information is a key to solving problems. They think systemically and holistically, are the least egotistical of any of the groups to this point, and become concerned more with competency than appearances. Withholding information from 7's is a big problem for them. They tend to think politics and social games are dysfunctional and usually don't participate in them. 7's usually don't vote, don't go to therapy, don't join groups and clubs, and prefer to work alone or in small groups of like-minded individuals. They often feel misunderstood and think it is “lonely at the top”. At Level 7, people value diversity and respect other types of people, cultures, etc. 7's naturally look at the “big picture” and long term consequences. They become irritated and frustrated with the rigid thinking of the 4's and the lack of regard for nature of the 5's They may feel uncomfortable with the pointless hugging and emotional expressions of the 6's and crave deeper interpersonal connections. Management at Level 7 is a matrix. The most competent person is in charge and makes decisions. Management serves mainly a supportive function for project-centered activity. Communication is only as needed. 7's hate unnecessary meetings and phone calls. They prefer to work alone or in small groups with each participant having a unique essential role. Training for 7's involves giving them lots of information and they compulsively seek out information. They can learn by themselves from books, people, models, or the internet. On the Myers- Briggs scale, 7's are introverted, intuitive thinkers (INT). Transition to Level 8 begins when the 7 begins to realize that independence is a heavy burden. Just as the Level 1's naturally gravitated toward the formation of lasting associations, Level 7's crave personal contact also. Seeking out others with similar consciousness becomes a holy grail for 7's, and they realize they are only a part of a larger whole. Continues below... . . . .