The dialog on metaphors and other frameworks on organizational behavior or
systems continues to be interesting and engaging. And very thought
proviking. Steve's made some excellent points. And so has Richard.
Yet I sense that we are sometimes getting too caught up in detail and
maybe sometimes missing something.
Let me illustrate with The Answer. And The Danger.
(Note: I have published something similar in here before. This is an
attempt to reframe it a little for the benefit of readers. This is also
an exercise that has proven effective and I encourage anyone who wants to
use it to do so):
Two caterpillars saw a beautiful butterfly flit by
and the one caterpillar turned to the other and said:
"You'll never get me up in one of those things!"
Most readers will get the story and understand it right away. Done.
Few will consider an unobvious yet more important message and reality:
There are a LOT of answers to this joke or story. There are more than
one interpretation.
And by taking the time to consider the thoughts of others, we can gain a
much richer understanding of the position of the first catepillar relative
to their thoughts on change and risk.
I had actually put the caterpillars on my wagon and told this as a
one-liner / joke for more than two years before presenting it to a Hong
Kong audience whose reaction was such that I thought it better if they
discussed it. They did, with a great deal of laughter and animation that
was confusing to me (in Cantonese). When they were done interacting, they
gave me more than One Answer to my joke -- they gave me 42!
These included "my" understanding of resistance to change. They also
added "fear of flying," loss of control, being better off riding in the
wagon rather than being blown about in the air, the fact that more food is
available when you crawl in the bushes rather than fly in the air, etc.
And a great answer and perspective shift: My mother was a moth!
I learned a lesson and that is the danger of Knowing The Answer. Because
that will invariably cause one to not consider possibilities. I am of the
opinion that there is seldom One Answer and it is the variety of
perspective that gives rise to new ideas and creativity as well as systems
improvement and development.
We've got some real experts here on the list who have tremendous knowledge
and perspective in their specialities. What I like is that the
interactions shift from agreement to discussion to argument to discussion
to agreement in a very positive fashion.
Thanks for all the ideas and thoughts. Maybe organizations aren't
biological and maybe metaphors don't work. Then again...
I know that I don't have The Answer. But I sure love the questions,
-- For the Fun of It!Scott J. Simmerman SquareWheels@compuserve.com Performance Management Company -- We support consultants and trainers worldwide with products like -- -- The Search for the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine -- www.clicknow.com/stagedright/dutchman/
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>