At 08:48 AM 3/18/98 -0800, Karen Takle Quinn wrote:
>How many members of this listserv teach systems management?
Dear Karen and list members,
We offer two 3-day on-site workshops called Experiences in Teamwork and
Experiences in Stewardship. The first focusses on the human
dynamic/relationships of what you might call the "human/business system." I
use that term in lieu of a better one to acknowledge the physical
plant/processes that the human system interacts with. The second workshop
focusses on the systems thinking / system dynamics aspects of the
human/business system.
We combine as broad a spectrum as possible of thought, theory, and practice
to provide a rounded and balanced approach. Our belief is that if we can
provide grounded experiences showing new ways of organizing and working
together, we can instill both hope and awareness in people. Hope and
awareness are two very powerful intrinsic "drives." Awareness shifts people
from blame to being seekers of new ways of working together. Without
systems awareness, people may be trying as hard as possible but are working
in ways that are non-systemic, causing many unintended consequences. We
help people practice the skill of living in "the learner's story," rather
than being victims or conquerors. It makes the "seeming chaos" begin to
look like a new kind of music.
We include a number of simulations that include whole-being / action
learning. We're piloting a new addition to the Electric Maze that teaches
dynamic complexity through the addition of a delayed system response. We
also use a neat variation on the MIT "Beer Game." Our adaptation has gone
"non-alcoholic" and is called the Tea Game. The application is very eye
opening because it shows how so many of our past and present efforts can
work against our intentions. It shows why some reengineering,
restructuring, and JIT efforts are counterproductive. It also shows how to
move away from static balance in an organization to "dynamic balance."
(Like the difference between the old bubble balance on a car tire to the new
spin balance so your car doesn't shake at high speeds.)
Sorry for going on so long. This is exciting stuff.
As an aside to all on this list, I'm interested in exploring the combination
of action learning with distance learning. It's based on a concern that too
much of our development is at an intellectual level and isn't incorporating
our reservoirs of inherent tactic level knowledge that often go untapped.
If groups who are trying to learn together yet are separated by great
amounts of space (and sometimes time) could have a common touchstone of
experiences, they could learn together in ways not otherwise possible. If
any of you have thoughts or experiences, or would like to collaborate in
some sort of "experiment," please let me know.
Warm regards,
John
--
John Dicus | Cornerstone Consulting Associates
Providing Experiences In... Teamwork - Systems - Stewardship
jdicus@ourfuture.com |
http://www.ourfuture.com
800-773-8017 (in US) | 330-725-2728 (voice/fax)
2761 Stiegler Rd, Valley City OH 44280
**Join an Online Dialogue --
stewardship@world.std.com**