Welcome, Diane. I'm intrigued, fascinated and care very much about "talk
in the workplace" and what it means. How about some steps in
between the wonderful paradigm that you present?
--being able to incorporate information into knowledge is contingent upon
a whole host of factors not the least of which is an operational
understanding of "information" and "knowledge"; and, of course, what it
dynamically takes to hear the information as information and turn it in to
knowledge by understanding and acknowledging (no pun intended) its'
application....yes?...
--knowledge then can have a potential for becoming enlightenment when
applied to understanding and acknowledgement and impact of "mental
models" and their inherent facilitative, enhancement or blocking qualities
--enlightenment precludes the need for "power" as the direct antithesis
(impotence??) renders the power paradigm moot.....in other words, the
need for the power is not there....the power is only a perception or
illusion or allusion at best anyway, don't you think?
So, when anything is "used as a source of power" and power is only
illusory anyway, perhaps we are better served in focusing energy, as
best we can, willfully, into understanding.....who was it that said," it is
better to understand than be understood?" I pose to you, most
respectfully, that power is a fantasy prize - it is like the dialogue we are
having on this list about empowerment.....as if it can be given rather than
assumed. Those that engage in talking at or discussing rather than
talking with or conversing or dialoging usually do themselves in because
noone responds . . . . but then again, maybe they don't hear the slience.
Thank you for listening......
I like hearing your thoughts and ideas, Diane. I look forward to more and
hope that I do not sound as rushed as I feel in responding. Your intro
caught my attention.....thank you again and again. I am very eager to
hear more about your work. Myrna
Myrna J. Casebolt
Quality Improvement Consultant
Division of Care and Treatment Facilities
1 W. Wilson St. #550
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7851
(608) 267-3783 - phone
(608) 266-2579 - fax
MYRNA@WP.DHSS.STATE.WI.US - e-mail
My name is Diane Zitek, and I'm an administrator at County College of
Morris in northern New Jersey.
My expertise, interest, and curiosity lies in "talking in the
workplace," mental models, defensive routines, hidden agendas and
all
those communication rituals we engage in everyday. I have a
master's
degree in organizational communication and wrote my master's thesis
on
communication barriers to planned change. I was introduced to the
works of Senge, Argyris and Bohm while researching my thesis and
was
hooked. I have also written and presented a workshop called
"Harnessing the Power of Collective Minds Through Dialogue."
I'd be interested in information, observations, and comments on ways
of talking in the workplace that support or undermine learning
organizations.
Here's one thought I'd like to throw out.
Learning requires information.
Information leads to knowledge.
Information is power.
Translated: When information is used as a source of power, learning
can't take place.
Diane Zitek
DZITEK@CCM.EDU
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