RE: Definitions LO954 ...development, training, education

Michael (Michael@kbddean.demon.co.uk)
Wed, 26 Apr 1995 08:27:03 +0000

Replying to LO928 --

The last part of Jay's message struck me quite forcefully. How many
managers share Jay's lament?"

> I wish I could provide insite on how to develop shared meaning among your
> teammates. The members of my team (outside my department) insist that I'm
> the training expert and their role is to rubber stamp what I want to do.
> So far, I haven't figured out how to convince them otherwise.

The answer takes some time and effort - like everything in life - but
not very much. The distinction of "operational definitions" may go a
long way to facilitate this process. That is, if we aren't trying to
get the "right" derfinition but are agreeing on an interim one that
will help us work effectively, then a lot of the original "heat"
dissipates - and the later arising heat is of a more effective kind.

The point here is that if words have a necessary relationship to
reality, then we will argue to little effect if we don't already
agree. If, to refer to Korzybski, words have "deep structure"
referents to past experiences rather than representing reality, then
we also won't get anywhere with our current approaches. If, however,
words are tools with at best intuitive connection to reality which
are subject to a check, on their usefulness, then distinguishing
terms - such as requested for training, education and development -
might be very powerful. And the pursuit of the distinctions might be
the most powerful part of the process - not the result.

The starting place, however, may be to stop _convincing_. What is
implied in the relationship that calls for convincing? What is
implied about mental content in convincing? What about dialogue
where we are all intent on discovering something. (You might
discover that it is your job to tell them. But you'll more likely
discover that there is something which is at neither extreme and will
work wonders for everyone concerned.


Michael McMaster
Michael@kbddean.demon.co.uk