week #5 - February 12

continued reflecting on the articles, book report and text.

What is the significance of the case study presented in chapter 4 of the text?
At first read the case study is very distrubing and discouraging, thinking about the counter productive defensiveness of individuals. Thoughts and feelings critical for learning to occur are covered up and not revealed. Individuals face difficult, embarassing and threatening issues in ways that do not produce learning. There is a discrepancy between behavior and the individual's voiced desire to learn and to help others learn. Even when individuals realize what they are doing, they are unable to produce behavior that fosters learning. These imperfect human beings, who plan 1 thing and act another thing, distort information and refuse to dialogue in a way that clears up the distortions, don't bring the truth to the surface (especially in times of stress), etc. Diplomacy oftens masks true feelings, thoughts and ideas. The problem looms large. Practitioners may become defensive.

Then I remember our discussion regarding the "glimpses" we might catch of a learning organization and I have hope. An OD Consultant must be self aware and transparent. So as I work on my own self awareness and grow in my understanding and appreciation for the nooks and crannies of human nature, I practicie what I am learning and press on. Sometimes there will be glimpses! Learning is not always immediate!
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