Richard,
Systems thinking is a skill/focus that can and should be learned. One
needs the willingness to understand the concepts and apply them.... Many
things such as short-term thinking, organizational barriers to effective
communication across traditional boundaries, lack of information about
basic business drivers, etc. hold back systems thinking. It is not so
much the *inclination* that inhibits systems thinking but knowing where
and how to begin.
Carol Sager, Sager Educational Enterprises
http://www.CarolSager.com
Critical Linkages II Newsletter
21 Wallis Road,Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
V.(617)469-9644; Fax(same)-9639
DavidCLT@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 99-11-11 21:41:49 EST, rrichard@agctr.lsu.edu writes:
>
> >Is anyone aware of an instrument that has been developed to identify
> >individuals who are inclined to be system thinkers?
>
> Richard,
>
> There are many different understandings of what systems thinking is.
> There are any number of commercial test makers/sellers who will claim that
> they measure this attribute, however they define it.
>
> Another way to approach this question would be to assess current
> associates who possess the "systems thinking" attributes you want to
> duplicate and identify them as the criterion group. In essence, you're
> creating your own unique operational definition, based on concurrent
> utility in your group. Using serveral cognitive/mental abilities and
> cognitive mode personality assessments, you could determine which
> dimensions in your criterion group have the least variance within the
> group. Of course, in order to avoid the prospect of capitalizing on
> chance, a cross-validation study would be wise. You may find that you're
> looking for something a little more complex than a systems thinker.
>
> DavidCLT@aol.com
--Carol Sager <cs@carolsager.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>