Re: Jonah and Mental Models - Socratic questioning

Keith Cowan (cowan@pci.on.ca)
Tue, 17 Jan 1995 06:34:57 -0500 (EST)

> The whole philosophy behind the Socratic Method is the fact that
> facilitators (or consultants) should not spell out any of the answers for
> their clients (although they are often hired to do just that!). Instead,
> the facilitators should stimulate their clients to come up with their own
> answers. Once you tell someone something, you rob that someone from the
> opportunity of ever inventing that something by him/her self!!!!!

I believe that what Larry is saying here is fundamental to the L-O.
Any organization that can constantly question for common understanding
will generate enthusiastic BUY-IN from its participants. While this
process seems less efficient than setting standards and TELLING people
to follow them, letting participants DISCOVER the proper course of action
removes the need for selling and control. People will do what THEY think
is the right thing, and they will act with more conviction and creativity!

-- 
Keith Cowan       Phone: (416)565-6253           FAX: (905)858-7131
Toronto        Internet: cowan@pci.on.ca  Compuserve: 72212,51