I received a fair amount of response to my original posting. I found it
interesting that, although the vast majority of mail was in support of my
thoughts, these came via direct email rather than being posted on the
learning-org list.
I am not criticizing the authors of these correspondence. Rather I am
observing that there seems to be the sme phenomenon Chris Argyris
describes as organizational defensive routines.
1. We have mixed messages.
2. We can't talk about these mixed messages directly.
3. We can't talk about the fact that we can't talk about these mixed
messages.
In a list ostensibly devoted to furthering the principles of systems
thinking and the development of a learning organization, I find it of
great interest that the membership seems to feel the same pressures to
establish, support, and defend organizational defensive routines.
Just a few more thoughts to ponder. If one wonders whether I am accurate,
watch the public postings and see whether they are positive or negative
toward the idea(s) in my original post. In other words, do subscribers
feel free to express agreement with what amounts to a criticism of the
"way things are done here?"
To those who have sent private messages, thank you for your response in
either direction. I am happy that you took the time to respond. Let's
keep the dialogue going here.
--Clyde Howell The Howell Group orgpsych@aol.com or orgpsych@csra.net
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>