Problem solving tool kit LO25491

From: Gavin Ritz (garritz@xtra.co.nz)
Date: 10/19/00


Replying to LO25485 --

Hi Roy

Roy Benford wrote:

> Gavin
>
> >> The temporal scale applies to an individual's time
> >> horizon. It seems a bit of a jump to go from an individual to an
> >> organisational situation or issue.
> >
> >It is better for you to read the work of Jaques and to understand the
> >frame of reference that it works in. There has been found to be
> >correlation's between temporal scales, logic, cognition and the structure
> >of organisations.
>
> My query is not with Jacques work which draws correlations between an
> individual's temporal scales, logic, cognition and the structure of an
> organisation. My query is the assumption that issues at levels in
> organisation correspond with specific time frames.
>
> I am comfortable with the view that an individual with a time horizon of
> upto 3 months is likely to be comfortable working on the shop floor.

This is not really how it works, a medical doctor could have a level of
work that is only up to three months.

> But
> I would query that shop floor issues have time horizons of upto 3 months.

No they definitely do not, some shop floor issues can be up to 2 years or
more. The nature of roles and time horizons area related to work and the
logic that is needed to do certain types of work. (the complexity of
information).

To really understand Jaques' work one needs to read Human Capability,
Requisite Organisation and Executive Leadership, and probably the Form of
Time. (as a minimum) It is very difficult to discus his work as we both do
not share the same frames of reference. Which is critical to discus levels
of work, complexity of information, time horizons, chronological time,
psychological time, levels of abstraction and cognition, human logic and
structure and their relationships with each other.

I have personally used the cognition for hiring managers at different
levels in organisations and have found it to be extremely useful. All the
managers we employed have met certain cognitive criteria with really good
results in their ability to lead. Those that were not profiled in this
manner have not really cut the mustard- interesting stuff.

Jaques work in many senses is a continuation of Piagets work.

> That is what I was trying to say.

Yes I see, however to discus Jaques work one really needs to understand the
basic principles of levels of work. It is very difficult to discus this
without having a thorough knowledge of his work.
As I said we just do not have the same frame of reference, hence your doubt
about the time frame and its meaning. Really, it is like me discussing
geotechnical terms about soil which are totally different to the normal daily
usage of words and their meanings about soil.

Kindest
gavin

-- 

Gavin Ritz <garritz@xtra.co.nz>

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