4. New Ways of Working Organisations can reverse the cycle and can be taught to understand the difference between their espoused and actual theories of action. ‘ They can face up to the fact that they unconsciously design and implement actions.’ Argyris
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6. Theories of action are: These are: the master programs, patterns, designs, sets of rules, or propositions that people use to design and carry out their actions. the governing variables, values, theories beliefs, concepts, rules, attitudes, routines, policies, practices, norms or skills that underlie actions. Action Science looks at Theories of Actions
8. Theories of Action Moving Model 1 to Model 11 reduces ineffectiveness in resolving difficult problems Theory-in-Use Model 1 Governing Variables 1. Define goals to achieve unilaterally 2. Maximise winning, minimise losing 3. Minimise expressing or generating negative 4. Be rational and minimize emotionality Theory-in-Use Model 11 Governing Variables 1. Maximize valid information 2. Have free and informed choice for all concerned 3. Have high internal commitment to the choice and constant monitoring of its implementation
9. Single Loop vs Double Loop Single loop - a very defensive chicken not prepared to look at how it contributed to the problem Single loop - not your fault, not my fault Double loop - the monkey at least challenged its own process
12. Change Starts at the Top Ryan and Oestreich agree with Argyris: Behaviour change must start with self awareness by senior management. image of a mountain here
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14. Data comes from Personal Dialogue For more information see www.actiondesign.com How to write a case for personal dialogue, 2 columns. 1. The challenge or theme illustrated by this episode 2. Brief statement of context 3.What actually happened 4. Results from this conversation that I would want to change: 5.Questions I would like to address when we discuss this case: My thoughts & feelings What we said
15. A simple approach to learn technique: Connect learning with real life experience
20. References: Arygris,C. (1991) Teaching Smart people how to learn , Harvard Business Review , 69 (3) , 99-109. D. Oestreich, K. R. A. (1998) Driving Fear out of the Workplace - Creating the High Trust, High Performance Organisation, San Franciso, Jossey-Bass Inc. Deem, J. (2009), The relationship of organizational culture to Balanced Scorecard effectiveness , Dissertations & Theses: Full Text. Sostrin, J. (2008) Establishing and validating a conceptual framework of barriers to workplace learning and performance: A Q-method study. Dissertations & Theses. Action Science, <http://www.actionscience.com/actinq.htm >, viewed on August 12, 2009.
Editor's Notes
Welcome, hi I’m Craig and I am introducing Action Science. It is a strategy of organisational development defined and vigorously advanced primarily by Dr. Chris Argyris. He also worked with Donald Schon and others.
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The barrier most organisations face however is that people, and particularly the people in key leadership positions do not know how to learn. The primary reason is because that they define learning as problem solving. They fail to reflect internally on their own behaviour and understand how it contributes to the organisation’s problems. (Sostrin, 2008) identifies the right type of learning will directly evolve business leaders mind set and elevate their capacity to learn and perform.
Drucker (management of self) posits that to make yourself a better leader, your most valuable asset is to know how to manage yourself. He puts forward that the only way to know oneself is through feedback analysis.
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Action science is about finding new theories of actions. On the slide we see what theories of actions are all about.
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Action Science is about providing tools to shift from Model 1 which leads to defensiveness, mistrust, anti-learning and decreased effectiveness to model 2 which leads collaboration, trust, effective problem solving, decision making and increased long term effectiveness.
Argyris introduces models one and two through use of single loop and double loop learning. Single loop learning goes on within a persons given belief system. Double loop learning involves questioning ones own belief systems and assumptions. When single loop learning strategies go wrong highly skilled professionals become defensive and blame others. Effective double loop learning is not just about how people feel it is a reflection on how we think. That is professionals are focused on improving but are often the biggest obstacle because of their framework of thought. Managers focused on external organisational factors (single loop) were enthusiastic about change and growth but the moment the focus came on their performance (double loop) they became embarrassed and defensive and learning shuts down.
The purpose of these values is to avoid embarrassment. According Ryan and Oestreich fear in the work place has a crippling effect on an organisations effectiveness and ability to improve. Employees believe that not saying what they think is often an important compromise for being a team player.(D.Oestreich, 1998) Based on these values there is an incredibly high fear of failure – any negative feedback can lead to a ‘doom zoom’ (Argyris, 1991)p. 104 When met with a situation they cannot handle they suddenly fall apart. In this situation defensive reasoning becomes cyclic. Feedback to an individual intended toward learning and growth actually has the opposite effect. This can be most evident during performance management when instead of taking feedback on board people are inclined to blame external factors.
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Personal dialogue is a way to analyse our behaviour and the behaviour of others. It is a great tool to use in focus groups and is something that Argyris developed.
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Case studies are a great way to discuss problems in a safe atmosphere. By creating a safe atmosphere greater understanding of causes of the problems and how they can be overcome.
I work for Fairfax Community Network, we launched Mannigham Weekly. The launch led to financial loss, poor sales, staff turnover and low morale. First stage was to blame implementation process and middle management. A case study and 360º review including clients revealed senior management had launched the wrong product! A new gloss magazine was launched 12 months later taking on all feedback resulted in quickest revenue growth on record. All stakeholders learnt and grew from the experience.
Design Action says many teams in business have been together two or more years. If you’ve met regularly for that long, and have not taken the time to reflect on your results and your competence as a team, then you are probably perpetuating errors. The most critical constraint isn’t time, but the willingness, as a group, to talk openly and candidly about your experiences.
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