Management Commitment LO8118

Robert Bacal (dbt359@freenet.mb.ca)
Tue, 25 Jun 1996 20:16:27 +0000

Replying to LO8077 --

On 24 Jun 96 at 13:28, jpomo@gate.net wrote:

> I believe that this discussion is very important, but needs some
> definition. Specifically, a "value" is how we do things or
> accomplish our goals as in how honestly, cooperatively, safely,
> respectfully, humbly, knowledgeably, enthusiastically, fairly,
> forthrightly, compassionately and the like.

Your definition is interesting (a value is how we do things). I understand
that you BELIEVE that there are universal values held by everyone, so it
is quite a bit easier to define value as related to the 10 or 15
universals you postulate, (but never document with evidence). But, it's
funny, but I would call how we do things something different...let's say,
our actions. So, we are still stuck with the potential for semantic
problem. Are actions the same as values?

> I do not believe that values conflict, only that they appear to
> conflict because of lack of understanding.

Having seen you suggest this before, I will state categorically that it
offends me. It suggests that if only others would come to the light, they
would be relieved of the tedium of their everyday experiences regarding
real life conflicts regarding values. This approach seems to be an attempt
to disconfirm and demean the experiences of others--my experiences then of
values conflict are apparently illusory. Perhaps reading the book you
speak of would cure me of my misunderstanding, but perhaps I might be too
stupid to have the veil lifted.

> Many people act dishonestly in order to save their jobs. Every case
> I am aware of (hundreds), dishonesty aided no one and only resulted
> in hurting the person(s) who did the lying.

Many people act dishonestly to sell products...let's say books. Why do
they do that? Let's assume they value eating, and they profess to value
honesty? They believe that if they lie about the product, or their
relationship to it, and pretend to be an independent source of
information, they shall eat better and feed their children. Two values;
two apparently competing values. I would be interested in hearing how you
see that there is no conflict of values in this scenario?

Robert Bacal, CEO, Institute For Cooperative Communication
dbt359@freenet.mb.ca, Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
(204 888-9290.

-- 

"Robert Bacal" <dbt359@freenet.mb.ca>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>