ONTOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS

They are composed of two sub-classes.  Perceptual Constraints and Functional Constraints. Our worldview (model of reality) and frames of reference (mindset) act as perceptual constraints that limit and shape our being and how the world occurs for us. Our worldview and frames of reference are the ideas, beliefs, biases, prejudices, social and cultural embeddedness, and taken for granted assumptions through which an individual interprets and interacts with the world, other people and himself or herself. The difference between the two is that one’s worldview is relative to everything in one’s world and one’s frame of reference is relative to something specific in one’s world.

Functional Constraints represent threats to our identity which triggers these reactions where we either fight (defensiveness) or flight (avoidance) and so doing suppress our rational functioning. When that happens we become dysfunctional individuals. Such behaviour in leaders is counterproductive and is evidence of a dysfunctional leader.