Finding things out is what leaders do.
Finding things out is what leaders do. They are curious about why things are done a
certain way, what is actually going on, why processes and services are or are not
producing desired results. If results are good, curious individuals wonder how they
might be better! Curiosity produces questions, and questions, particularly "why" and
"what if" questions, drive the thinking that leads to innovation and improvement.
But leaders are also people. People tend to have certain blind spots about themselves
and others that they often do not investigate due to lack of awareness. Have you ever
found yourself having a second conversation in your head during an actual conversation
with someone, but you don't share those thoughts? Have you ever made a series of
quick judgments based on assumptions about a situation that later proved wildly
inaccurate? These are universal human experiences.
Thinking habits of mind, heart, and imagination are key to your success as a doctoral
student and a leader. Tools such as the ladder of inference and the two-column exercise
assist in eliminating the noise of our own biases and hidden assumptions and enable a
clearer picture of the truth about a situation. Double-loop learning and other concepts
help us find things out about organizations and the behaviors of their members that
have impacts on organizational awareness, effectiveness, and capacity to change and
improve.
In this assessment, you establish a plan for engaging in intentional discovery about
yourself and your organization. You will explore your progress against your plan as you
complete each of the other assessments in this course
: Apply continuous improvement models and methods
to uncover the multi-dimensional nature of problems of practice.
â—‹ Provide a plan to improve and consolidate thinking habits while
completing the assessments and readings for this course.
â— Competency 3: Analyze the implications of leadership behaviors for
organizational learning.
â—‹ Complete a self-assessment using the thinking habits of mind,
heart, and imagination and providing examples to support
self-rating.
Sample Solution
Plan for Intentional Discovery
Understanding the Task
The goal is to develop a plan for self-discovery and organizational inquiry, focusing on improving thinking habits and analyzing the impact of leadership behaviors on organizational learning. This will involve:
- Applying continuous improvement models
- Improving thinking habits
- Completing a self-assessment of thinking habits
Full Answer Section
Plan for Improvement To achieve these objectives, I will employ the following strategies:- Self-Reflection and Awareness:
- Journaling: Regularly record thoughts, feelings, and observations to identify patterns and biases.
- Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate meditation or mindfulness exercises to enhance self-awareness and reduce mental noise.
- Feedback Seeking: Actively solicit feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors to gain different perspectives.
- Skill Development:
- Ladder of Inference: Practice using this tool to challenge assumptions and uncover underlying beliefs.
- Two-Column Exercise: Regularly apply this technique to differentiate facts from inferences in various situations.
- Double-Loop Learning: Seek opportunities to question underlying assumptions and challenge the status quo.
- Continuous Improvement Models: Explore and apply models like PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and Lean Six Sigma to problem-solving.
- Organizational Inquiry:
- Observation: Pay close attention to organizational behaviors, processes, and communication patterns.
- Questioning: Cultivate a culture of inquiry by asking probing questions and seeking diverse perspectives.
- Experimentation: Encourage a safe space for trying new approaches and learning from failures.
- Knowledge Acquisition:
- Reading: Explore relevant literature on leadership, organizational behavior, and change management.
- Networking: Build relationships with professionals in the field to exchange knowledge and insights.
- Professional Development: Attend conferences, workshops, and webinars to expand expertise.
- Track the frequency of journaling and mindfulness practices.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of using the ladder of inference and two-column exercise.
- Reflect on the depth and breadth of questions asked in organizational settings.
- Assess the ability to apply continuous improvement models to problem-solving.
- Monitor personal and professional growth through self-reflection and feedback.
- Curious and Inquisitive: I am naturally curious and enjoy exploring new ideas and perspectives.
- Analytical: I possess strong analytical skills and enjoy breaking down complex problems into smaller components.
- Open-Minded: I am receptive to different viewpoints and willing to challenge my own assumptions.
- Creative: I enjoy generating new ideas and finding innovative solutions to problems.
- Empathetic: I can understand and share the feelings of others.
- Passionate: I am enthusiastic about my work and committed to making a positive impact.
- Resilient: I can bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive outlook.
- Visionary: I can envision future possibilities and develop strategic plans.
- Innovative: I am able to generate creative and original ideas.
- Storytelling: I can effectively communicate complex ideas through storytelling.