I am now fortunate enough to have access to the Internet and am very excited
about the prospects of sharing information, concepts and ideas regarding the
learning organization.
I am a consultant for Arthur Andersen working out of Dallas, TX. In the past
I have primarily worked with clients who were in a "reduction mode". I now
find myself on a journey-destination unknown. I feel this journey will
provide me with many new insights about myself and those around me. My hope
at this point is that in some small way I may be of service to the larger
community in which I live. This community has new and exciting boundries.
Boundries which expand and contract all at the same time. At some points,
the boundries seem to fade away only to reappear at some unexpected moment in
time.
My firm began working with the The Learning Circle about two years ago.
Based upon some "research" with our clients we found (or created a result)
which was very disturbing. What had worked for us in the past was no longer
meeting the needs of our client. We think that our clients were wanting
lasting change to take hold in their organiztions and felt that a consultant
may be one way for them to realize and work through this process.
After this inquiry, we searched for someone to help us find a new way to do
business. We began work the members of The Learning Circle and gathered
forty people from around the world to participate in a year long orientation
to the Learning Organization.
Our journey is continuing as this core group is begining to expand upon what
we have learned with others in our organization and with clients. I must
admit that it is slow going. The mental models of the firm are very strong,
and it is often hard for me to find the courage to speak the unspeakable
(that there may be another way).
So, a question I have is where do I begin? I see so many things to do and
sometimes get confused. My own answer to this question is very simple and at
the same time inadequate. Begin wherever you are. How did others begin to
share these wonderful concepts and ways of being with others?
Thanks and I look forward to meeting each of you through this medium.
Please remeber to treat the world with kindness and respect.
David Dobat
DDobat@aol.com
-----
Host's Note: The Learning Circle in Sudbury MA can be reached at (508)
443-2723. They are good friends and can arrange various kinds of programs
built around the Learning Organization concepts.
-- Rick Karash, rkarash@world.std.com, host for learning-org