HBR 4-6: Discussion HBR on KM: Ch. 4-6 Discussion Osama Solieman 2 nd Year MIS Masters

HBR 4-6: Discussion Discussion Topics Chris Argyris: –Teaching Smart People How to Learn, 1991 –Single Loop vs. Double Loop –Maturity / Immaturity Theory –Interview –How does this relate to Knowledge Management?

HBR 4-6: Discussion Teaching Smart People How to Learn “…most people don’t know how to learn” (p.82) Learning is not problem-solving Defensive reasoning is a sign of not knowing how to learn People can be taught to reason in a new way If leadership is trained to “learn”, they can impact the entire organization

HBR 4-6: Discussion Single Loop vs. Double Loop Single-loop learning ignores governing variables such as goals, values, frameworks and strategies. Double-loop learning involves consideration of the underlying assumptions behind the action strategy.

HBR 4-6: Discussion Maturity / Immaturity Model Most individuals do not fully reach “maturity” The traditional organizational pyramid is designed to keep employees “immature” Employees at bottom are tools controlled by top people

HBR 4-6: Discussion ODJ Interview: 2003 “…emotions are produced in the heads of human beings…No emotion is irrational. I think that I am focused on emotions but on discovering why a person feels that way and what can be done about it. Emotions can’t be disconnected from reality.” “We get good at defensive reasoning, and then we get good at denying that we are good at defensive reasoning.“ “The job of an effective leader is still to advocate, evaluate and make attributions, but to do so in a way that corresponds to reality, that can be tested. You do this by inviting others to confront your views and conclusions. “

HBR 4-6: Discussion Relation to Knowledge Management Problems: Workers do not know how to learn Defensive reasoning is an obstacle to organizational learning Work is designed to promote single-loop learning Pyramid structureSolutions: Teaching employees how to learn Removal of pyramid structure Work needs to be restructured so that employees can develop

HBR 4-6: Discussion References Harvard Business Review on Knowledge Management all/ArgyrisInterview.pdfhttp:// all/ArgyrisInterview.pdf team.com/motivation/chris_argyris_00.htmlhttp:// team.com/motivation/chris_argyris_00.html