Discernment Linking Spiritual Insight To Strategic Decision Making André L. Delbecq Santa Clara University ©

Discernment “Discernment is a process that allows a person to see, without confusion and ambiguity, what differentiates things….The better our discernment, the clearer our choices.” Wolff (2003, 3) “Seeking the freedom to make choices which lead to the fullness of our own and the organization’s potential for greater service.” Delbecq (2006)

Strategic Decision-Making: A Pillar Of Leadership Pivotal Leadership Roles are to Facilitate: An Unfolding Vision Determine Appropriate Strategic Choices Sustain Implementation Under Adversity

Strategic Decisions Both Means and Ends Are Unclear at the Beginning And Remain Tentative Even At the End of the Decision Process Requiring Shared Discovery and Pooled Judgments Contrasted to Expert Decision Making

Strategic Decisions More Than Rational/Technical Sequences Requires Personal Integration To Avoid Truncating The Process - Fear, Impatience,Undue Control versus - Psychological,Ethical,Spiritual Maturity Requires Pooled Judgment Within A Community of Trust –Complex Issues –Unanticipated Consequences –Loose Organizational Coupling For Implementation

Discernment: The Older Mother Of Decision Making Listening to “The Will Of God” –Requiring stillness,humility and patience Deep, Subjective Insight –Reaches into heart of beliefs and inner self Beyond Emotional Intelligence The Gift of Wisdom

Foundational Assumptions Dichotomy Between Sacred And Secular Is False –God Dwells Within Us And Creation God Is Immanent –If We Listen We Can Hear The Transcendent Through Inner Silence Discernment Is a Holistic“Experience” –Involves Mind, Heart And Spirit

Parallels Across Traditions Reformed Christian Tradition –“Veni Creator Spiritus” in Lutheran, Anglican, Pentecostal Traditions Jewish Tradition –Creator God Who Shares Wisdom and Acts in History Taoist –Chi Permeating The 10,000 Things Hindu –Non-dualism Etc.

A Christian Mystic Everyone who seeks meaning in life must learn to listen with all their capacity in order to recognize the single voice that bears a thousand names. It is the voice spoken to us from the center of our personal being. Frank Houdek, S.J.

Hindu Reflection He is God, hidden in all beings, their inmost soul who is in all. He watches the works of creation, lives in all things, watches all things. The Upanishads

Taoist Perspective Look, it cannot be seen ---it is beyond form. Listen, it cannot be heard --- it is beyond sound Grasp, it cannot be held --- it is intangible Tao Te Ching

Prevalence Of Failed Strategic Decisions More Than Half The Time Strategic Decision Making Fails Paul Nutt, 1999; Ohio State University

Causes Of Failed Leadership: Over-reliance on Expertise Assuming from past practices –Bounded By Past Personal “Expertise” –Bounded By Prior Organizational Practices Hindered by Deep Conceptual, Experiential, Preferential Precedence –Precipitous Closure

Under-attending the Voices Of Others Stakeholder input not sought from those impacted Social and political forces underestimated Conflicting viewpoints not reconciled Barriers to action underestimated Outside sources of information not sought Failing to go outside organizational experience Precipitous resort to persuasion and power “Temptation from Light” - Ignatius of Loyola

Search Behavior Truncated Limited options considered An early solution is uncritically promoted Attention focused on select informants/examples Experimental approach avoided Non - confirming information ignored Search Behavior is More Important Than Brilliance Herbert Simon

Values Not Brought to Bear Values and Ethical Issues Not Attended Relation to Mission Not Made Overt Ontological Questions Ignored Sophisticated Technocratic - Rational Perspectives Remain Deficient

Succumbing to Hubris Pooled Judgments Shown Superior to the Superior Individual

Difficulties Manifest Even In Mature Leaders Who Are Within Boundaries Of Ethics And Law Not Subject To Serious Psychological Impediments In High-Performing Organizations (in the present tense)

Discernment Seeks Freedom from one‘s own biases, defensiveness, preferences, narrowness, anxieties, fears, etc. Freedom for others inclusive of their needs and gifts Organizational freedom to aspire to stretch goals The Desire for Noble Purpose Connecting Mind and Heart Ignatian “Magis”

Why A Structured Process? Orders Our Decision Making Ensures Consideration Of All Relevant Factors Elicits A Multiplicity Of Perspectives Includes Our Spiritual Instincts And Intuitions Increases Ability To Articulate The Rationale For Our Decisions -Connecting Heart and Reason

Elements Of A Discernment Process PRECONDITION: A Contemplative Inner Disposition Is A Gift Of The Spirit Builds Regular Prayer/Meditation Leads to Detachment From The Ego Beginners Mind - Indifference-Openness Learned Through Daily Spiritual Disciplines

Elements Of A Discernment Process Patience In Discovery Of The Underlying Problem Identify and engage stakeholders Discover relevant dimensions associated with the central question Attention to spiritual “insight” as well as rational thought Reconcile competing interpretations where possible Separating Problem Exploration from Solution Search Herbert Simon

Elements Of A Discernment Process Engage Hard Work To Gather Information Regarding Solution Elements Elicit Insight From “Outside” Expertise And Prior Experience Cooperate With Legitimate Authorities Be Patient Building Shared Solution Framework Continue Feedback With Those Impacted Embed Problem Solving In “Truth” (Even When Uncomfortable )

Elements Of A Discernment Process Continually Sift and Winnow Decision Process Through Salient Moral/Values/Ethical Concerns Human Dignity Common Good Justice With Attention to Poor and Marginalized Rights And Responsibilities Individual/Professional/Organizational Values Commitment To Those Served Congruence With Organizational Mission

Elements Of A Discernment Process Returning Over And Over To Shared Reflection And Prayer Sensitive To Consolation And Desolation Informed By Scripture And Wisdom Sources Remaining Open Sharing Spiritual Reflection as a Group Discipline Avoiding Undue Haste (Emptiness, Indifference, Beginners Mind) What would be the more noble path? Are we willing to step outside prior preferences? How are we being spoken to through people, events, authority?

The Bhgavad Gita With your heart intent on me, discipline yourself with spiritual practice. Depend on me completely. Listen and I will dispel all your confusion.

Key Distinction Without shared prayer, meditation/ contemplative practice, reference to scripture, and attention to values a group decision process IS NOT discernment.

Elements Of A Discernment Process Flexible Implementation With Attention to Double Loop Learning Testing For “Fruits Of Spirit” As Well As Performance Indicators Sustaining Courage and Hopefulness But Allowing For Possible Withdrawal

Elements Of A Discernment Process Follow-Up And Review Was the Decision Properly Arrived At? Was Decision Well Implemented? What Have We Learned That Informs Other Endeavors? Accepting The Empirical Risks Associated With Innovation and the Possibility of Failure a

Closing Caveats: Discernment As Mystery –God Is Mystery; Love And Trust Are Required –Outcome Is Directional, Not Specific –Does Not Eliminate Uncertainty Or Suffering –Experience the Paradox of Humility and Greatness We Do Not Become Seers Or Prognosticators Outcomes Are Not Guaranteed