On 12 Aug 96 at 9:56, Ben Compton wrote:
> I think Robert's point about this list being very philosophical is
> more or less true. I could sense his frustration (Robert, excuse me
> if that is the wrong word), as he has mentioned this once before.
It is the correct word, and I am trying to figure out its source!
> a) In my world, business is a philosophical endeavor. The numbers we
> measure (financial as well as performance measures) , and the
> structures we use to organize our businesses, represent and/or
> reflect our business philosophies.
I agree that the abstract is important, and the older I get the more
I think that principles, values, etc need to be talked about, but
IMHO, there is a useful way and a non-useful way. Unless one is only
interested in the philisophical/abstract one cannot meaningfully
discuss abstractions without exploring their applicability in the
world, and their limiting situations.
This list is rather unique, and I am getting a better feel for my own
reactions. Differing from others (most, maybe), I am not convinced
that dialogue IS talking place here. First, some of the posts are
written, not in readable English, but using arduous sentence
structures that would choke those that taught me to write (and had to
beat this tendency out of me). Jargon, and overblown language is more
common here than on other lists.
Something else I've noticed is that a responder will use a previous
posters post to jump into a somewhat related issue, or as an
opportunity to be unresponsive to the poster. In the last week or so,
I have seen several of my message quoted, followed by a short one or
two line comment that was responsive, and five or six long paragraphs
that largely had nothing to do with what I said, or what I quoted.
When you have a number of people doing this, each message is largely
unrelated to the previous one in the thread.
I find this, indeed frustrating. It's like dialogue interruptus,
leaving me with my...well never mind the analogy, but it is
unsatisfying.
> b) Eventually our business philosophy must be translated into
> practical application. Perhaps this is Robert is frustrated with: We
> collectively shy away from conversations that deal with specific,
> real-world problems. . .at least publicly. I've posted some
> practical challenges I face in my work, and have found the many
> private responses and on-going dialogue to be perhaps more
> beneficial than the public conversations on the list.
Very odd. (the phenomenon, not you, Ben). There is an intimate
relationship between abstract/theoretical and practice. It is my
opinion that without testing the abstract with real cases, examples
and situations, there is only minimal point, except, simply to have a
mentally stimulating experience (which, all in all is not terrible).
Robert Bacal, CEO, Institute For Cooperative Communication
dbt359@freenet.mb.ca, Located in Winnipeg,Canada.
*For articles on management, change, training,communication, etc,
visit our home page at: http://www.winnipeg.freenet.mb.ca/~dbt359
--"Robert Bacal" <dbt359@freenet.mb.ca>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>