Traditional Wisdom... LO8930

Robert Bacal (dbt359@freenet.mb.ca)
Tue, 6 Aug 1996 22:37:05 +0000

Replying to LO8917 --

On 6 Aug 96 at 14:48, andrew rowe wrote:

> Although 300 others might say exactly the same, clearly it is
> impossible for a learning organization to develop (even if one never
> fully develops, but that is another issue) with this patronising,
> stultifying, thinking which you describe at the end of your message.
> A SERIOUS attempt at engendering a LO MUST try to avoid falling
> into the syndrome of thinking that suggests that the important
> questions of values, standards are based on the mental models of the
> leaders, at the expense of their subordinates.

I hope Joan responds, by way of explanation. The very curious paradox
about what Joan states is that on a macro level, it is very hard to
disagree with how leaders should behave. On the explanatory, theoretical
level, it seems incorrect to me, either psychologically, or from most
people's experience in organizations.

As a consultant, I have GREAT FAITH in the abilities and desire of staff
at any level to do their best. It is fascinating and buoying to see staff
who try to excel in spite of low expecations, poor management behaviour,
or poor systems. There are certainly people that get bogged down by bad
situations, and give up, but my experience is that they are the minority.
People want to do good regardless of the standards of their bosses; it is
their own search for meaning in the workplace.

Robert Bacal, CEO, Institute For Cooperative Communication
dbt359@freenet.mb.ca, Located in Winnipeg,Canada.
*For articles on management, change, training,communication, etc,
visit our home page at: http://www.winnipeg.freenet.mb.ca/~dbt359

-- 

"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/>