Diane you said (16/12/95)
>I would like to understand how others feel about "undiscussibles" and the
>impact on organizational effectiveness. How do you know when a particular
>undiscussible is a barrier and is in need of surfacing? In my particular
>organization, I feel there are issues that need to be discussed before we
>can really make progress as a whole. Very few of my peers agree that
>these issues are in need of "airing".
I share your uncertainty. This is one of the dilemmas I constantly face as
a consultant: "how far do I go?" and I think it is compunded even more so
if you are an in house person - at least a consultant has a limited shelf
life in an organsation.
I have found some simple confronting and reflecting techniques useful in
checking things out.
For instance:
"Before we move on can I check out with you/the group whether...."
"I have a sense that we might be......"
"It feels like to me that we're ......"
"Let me see if I understand; you're/the group is saying......."
"I get the impression that you/the group ........."
"..............is that what you mean?
"Could this be what's going on, you/the group..........."
"From where I stand it seems that the group/we/etc......."
"What's it like for the group/you when.........."
I'm not certain that I understand, is it that the group/you are saying......"
In my experience this at least opens up the discussion, particularly when
in a group environment.One of the difficulties is that you often have to
be courageous, 'one out' and perhaps find yourself without support when
you attempt to make the undiscussables discussable.
Good luck with it, keep us posted
-- John Crofts hunters@ne.com.au