Below I am quoting from a few recent postings to the list -- admittedly
out of original context (please excuse) -- that use the word structure in
different ways.
>From Thomas Benjamin (LO14590)
"Value-added learning discoveries are spurred principally I believe through
"downstructuring": a removal of organizational rules and policies such as
job descriptions, arbitrary promotion policies, politics and so on prevent
each individual employee from realizing their full potential."
>From Mike Jay (LO14615):
"... that if structure goes up and by that I mean increased policies,
increased rules and more clearly defined roles..."
>From Simone Maier (LO14607)
"The topic which is most important to me right now is the question, how to
evaluate learning processes..... ..........The tough thing about it is
the question, how to relate mental and organizational (structural and
behavioral) processes to material and energetical performance...."
>From Doc Holloway (LO14612)
"I believe that adult behavior is changed most fundamentally through the
process of discovery. Experience is the great teacher..... ......Rather
than emphasize the relationship of process to performance, I hope to
facilitate people's discovery of human and organizational principles that
focus on pattern, process and structure. I think that a holistic learning
experience can stress intrinsic motivators for behavioral
change--and influence sustainable performance."
In the earlier years of my journey I learned about structure from Robert
Fritz. The story in the beginning of his book "The Path Of Least
Resistance" -- about the cow paths in old Boston being the structure
generated by the cows which subsequently guiding their movement -- has
always stuck with me.
Innovation Associates has always been proponents of a model that contains
an array of "structural" elements influencing behavior. In that model --
which runs the spectrum from reporting diagrams all the way to unwritten
rules and undiscussables -- both the physical aspects and the human
elements of an organization are combined into a composite structure that
determines the path of least resistance.
In most of our recent work we have adopted many "techniques" of open
systems (like Open Space or Emergent Space) in our facilitation. Similar
to what Doc speaks of -- we engage folks in processes of discovery wherein
they live in the experiences of working together and organizing in
new/different ways. We say "well its hard to tell you, but we can show
you."
When exposed to these learning techniques, people say "wow, they're
unstructured." I think I know what they mean and how they are feeling,
but the word "structure" in that sense does not seem right to me any
longer. Often they mean "un-tethered," "unfamiliar," "less rigid," "fewer
degrees of freedom," and so on. In Thomas' and Mike's postings -- I agree
wholeheartedly with their thoughts, yet the use of the word "structure" in
that context again is troubling me. Troubling me because I am seeking a
different language, perhaps, that is compatible with the Robert Fritz/IA
line of thinking. And probably because that particular use of the word
structure is beginning to get in the way of communicating when we begin to
look at the organization of open, living self-organizing systems. (Doc
refers to pattern, structure, and process as Capra does).
Emergent learning environments, I believe, are "differently" structured,
rather then "unstructured." Many people refer to them as higher forms of
structure -- or manifestations of higher complexity where complexity would
mean degree of inter-relatedness and ability to live/adapt/evolve.
What do you think? How can we talk about new and unfamiliar "structures"
without meaning that they are confining, limiting, and contain fewer
avenues of choice for individuals?
(I want to share a neat verse with you about "the structure of life, " but
will put that in another posting I am writing in response to thoughts by
Winfried Dressler.)
Thanks for thinking and sharing.
John
John Dicus | jdicus@ourfuture.com
CornerStone Consulting Associates | http://www.ourfuture.com
Growing Learning Communities Through Whole System Processes
2761 Stiegler Road, Valley City OH 44280
800-773-8017 | 330-725-2728 (fax)
--"John H. Dicus" <jdicus@ourfuture.com>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>