Balancing Inquiry and Advocacy

Peter Senge writes about the need for all individuals in an organization to be willing to inquire regarding the opinions and "mental models" of other individuals in the group prior to advocating one's on views or "mental models." The Spirit of Ubuntu lives within the group when this kind of acknowledgement goes on. (Part of the discipline is to fight the urge to come up with quick fixes that usually are short-sighted, and ultimately ill-fated. ) Intentionally exploring the mental models of a group regarding the nature of a problem, the means for understanding what the problem is, whether the stated problem really is the probem are critical before developing solutions or agreed upon courses of action. Failure to acknowledge the ownership of other group members by forcing issues and enforcing silence on their part will doom any initiative to short term implementation with minimal results. Sustainable high impact solutions require having people on board.

So, as a group member, the discipline for me is to be willing to inquire and understand the mental models of other group members (especially those with whom I have strong disagreement) , but also be willing to advocate my mental model and answer questions directed at me regarding my mental model. There may have been flaws in my thinking (See ladders of inference in next posting.) that resulted in the mental model that I now hold. I must be willing to challenge my own views as others also demonstrate willingness to challenge their own views. This takes time and patience but the long run sustainability and effectiveness of action are the ultimate rewards.