Showing Before Explaining
Yesterday, while reading further in God In The Dock by C. S. Lewis, he said, “You must show that a man is wrong before you can explain why a man is wrong.” This really seems so basic, but as Lewis points out, we are very quick to jump to an explanation of why something is wrong, or why someone’s view is wrong without considering the most basic question of whether the person’s claim is right or wrong. This really takes me back to thinking about judging the idea, claim, or hypothesis and not the person.
Lewis argued that it is important to first establish that someone’s belief or argument is flawed or incorrect before attempting to provide an explanation or evidence as to why it is wrong. This could be seen as a way to approach discussions or debates in a logical and persuasive manner. It seems counterintuitive, but think of how many times we’ve done just that. So next time you find yourself ready to explain why someone is wrong, first consider if we can really show the claim to be wrong. There really is, as Lewis pointed out, a difference.
Targeted Universal
I’m contemplating the concept of “targeted universal approach” today. This concept refers to an approach that aims to provide services or benefits to a specific group of people while still being accessible to a broader population. It combines the targeted approach, which focuses on addressing the needs of specific individuals or groups, with the universal approach, which aims to provide benefits to everyone. A targeted universal approach in education can be favorable for several reasons. First, it allows for a highly personalized learning experience for students. By understanding the specific needs and preferences of each student, educators can provide tailored instruction and support that caters to their individual learning styles and abilities.
A targeted universal approach additionally helps address educational inequalities and bridge achievement gaps. It ensures that all students have access to high-quality education and resources, regardless of their background or circumstances. This can ultimately lead to improved academic outcomes and opportunities for all students, promoting equity in education. In practical terms, using a targeted universal approach means designing programs or initiatives that target a specific group based on certain criteria, such as income level or geographic location, while ensuring that the benefits are available to a wider range of people who may also benefit from them.
To apply the concept of “targeted universal,” we must identify the specific group or audience being addressed. This could be based on factors like demographics, needs, or location. In education, a targeted universal approach can promote inclusivity and diversity in the classroom. By valuing and accommodating the unique strengths and challenges of each student, it fosters an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and supported. Then we can design programs or interventions that specifically target their needs while also ensuring that others who may benefit from the initiatives can also access them.
It’s important to keep in mind that the success of a targeted universal approach relies on careful planning, research, and implementation to ensure that the intended outcomes are achieved. A targeted universal approach in education recognizes the importance of individual differences and seeks to address them through personalized support and inclusive practices. It can contribute to enhanced learning experiences, improved educational outcomes, and a more equitable and inclusive education system. Additionally, ongoing evaluation and feedback from the targeted group and other stakeholders can help refine and improve the approach over time.
Leadership Concierge
Like a concierge who helps guests navigate their stay and make the most of their experience, leaders often assist their team members in navigating challenges, achieving goals, and maximizing their potential. In the learning module for my University of Oxford Saïd Business School course this week I heard from Richard Macklin, Global Vice Chair of Dentons (the world’s largest law firm), that he compares leaders as coaches to hotel concierges in the sense that both roles involve providing guidance, assistance, and support to those they serve. As a leader, we can act more like a concierge by being attentive to our team’s needs and actively supporting them in an active coaching role in achieving their goals. Here are some ways to do so:
1. Actively listening: Just like a concierge anticipates guests’ needs by listening, as a leader, you can proactively identify the needs of your team members. This could involve regularly checking in with them, listening to their concerns, and addressing any challenges they may be facing.
2. Fostering a learning organization: A concierge strives to create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for guests. Similarly, as a leader, you can foster a positive work environment by encouraging open communication, promoting teamwork, recognizing achievements, and creating a culture of trust and respect.
3. Trusted advisor: A concierge listens to understand. A key aspect of being a concierge is being readily available to assist guests. As a leader, you can adopt a similar approach by being accessible to your team members. Encourage an open-door policy, actively listen to their concerns, and be approachable for guidance or advice.
4. Personalize support: Just as a concierge tailors their services to meet individual guest preferences, you can personalize your support for each team member. Take the time to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and goals, and provide tailored guidance and feedback to help them grow and excel in their roles.
5. Develop a teaming ethos: Similar to a concierge providing information or recommendations, you can provide your team with the necessary resources, tools, and support they need to perform their tasks effectively. This could include training programs, mentorship opportunities, or access to relevant information or technology. This also includes diversity and inclusion including cognitive diversity.
After hearing this I want to adopt more concierge-like qualities to hopefully enhance my leadership skills and create a supportive and empowering environment for those I serve. How about you? You want to become a leadership concierge?
Secondments
In my University of Oxford Saïd Business School course I am taking right now the topic of “secondments” came up. I learned that a secondment is a temporary assignment or transfer of an employee to another department, organization, or location. The context it was brought up in my Oxford course was using secondments as a way to deepen relationships, finding ways to provide more help, and as a source of personal development. Typically, secondments involve an employee working in a different role or project for a specified period of time.
Most importantly, secondments can deepen relationships by providing employees with the opportunity to work closely with new colleagues, gain new skills and knowledge, and develop a broader understanding of the organization as a whole. It allows employees to build connections, foster collaboration, and strengthen relationships with individuals and teams they may not have otherwise interacted with. Additionally, secondments often involve working in different environments, which can lead to increased adaptability and a broader perspective on different work cultures and practices.
As a professional services provider, I did a little more research on secondments and found I could use these with clients in a few different ways:
- Knowledge transfer: I could second myself, and do in some cases, to the client’s organization. This allows for the transfer of specialized knowledge and skills, helping the client improve their capabilities and resolve specific challenges.
- Capacity building: Secondments can also be used to build capacity within the client’s organization. This gives me opportunity to provide additional support, guidance, and training. A good example of this is the mentoring of teachers I am doing for schools.
- Project management: If the client has a complex project that requires specialized expertise or additional resources, secondments can be used to provide project management support.
- Change management: Secondments can play a crucial role in change management initiatives.
- Relationship building: Secondments can strengthen the relationship between a consultancy and the client’s organization. By working closely together, both parties gain a deeper understanding of each other’s strengths, challenges, and working styles. This can further enhance collaboration and lead to long-term partnerships.
It has been interesting to learn from my colleagues in the course how many of them have formal secondment programs set up within their firms. This is a great cross-functional training, capacity building, and relationship building development tool.
Teaching Learning Ability
Yesterday in our National Association of State Boards of Education Annual Conference opening session, my friend, Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond made the comment that we need to teach our students learning ability. This enablement of learning is important to Linda and I and we even coauthored an article on opportunity to learn. Click here to read it. I spent some time this morning thinking on teaching learning ability. Teaching our kids learning ability means providing them with the skills and tools to become effective learners. This includes teaching them how to think critically, problem solve, and communicate effectively. It also involves fostering a growth mindset, where they understand that intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and effort. Additionally, teaching learning ability involves promoting curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning.
I definitely believe we can teach love for learning. Encouraging a love for learning starts from an early age by creating a positive and engaging learning environment. Providing interesting and relevant content, incorporating hands-on activities, and giving students the opportunity to explore their own interests can help foster a love for learning. Additionally, praising effort and celebrating achievements can also help motivate learners and make the learning experience enjoyable. It’s important to create a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where students feel empowered and excited about learning.
The Restless Learner
Yesterday, I had a person describe me as a “restless learner.“ Of course, this prompted me to think about the question, “Just what is a restless learner?” It turns out there is a definition. Warren Berger in A More Beautiful Question (2014) defined the restless learner as, “a person who can never be comfortable with her/his own expertise in the face of rapid knowledge advancements, research revisions, and obsolescence of facts.” This sums me up pretty well. I want to be a critical thinker who is constantly evaluating what I know and what I need to learn. I am always curious, seeking out knowledge and experiences that expand my understanding of the world.
It’s that constant desire to learn and explore new things. As a restless learners Ian are not satisfied with staying in my comfort zones or sticking to what I already know. Instead, I try to actively seek out opportunities to grow and challenge myself intellectually. I am open-minded, adaptable, and willing to embrace change in order to continue their journey of learning. I’m a proud restless learner, how about you?
Stepping Outside One Experience And Into Another
This morning I continued my reading in God In The Dock by C. S. Lewis. There are so many things Lewis says that I have to think deeply about to get a handle on what he is saying. I love learning that way. This morning’s reading revealed him saying, “In other words, you can step outside one experience only by stepping inside another” (p. 214). On the surface, this comment seems pretty basic, but when reflecting it becomes much deeper. Lewis, in my opinion was emphasizing the importance of gaining new perspectives. He believed that in order to truly understand and appreciate different experiences, we must immerse ourselves in them. We can gain a new perspective or escape from our current experience by immersing ourselves in a different one. By delving into another experience, we can broaden our understanding and potentially overcome the limitations of our own perspective.
According to Lewis, exploring different viewpoints and immersing ourselves in different cultures or ideas, can break us free from our own limited perspectives and gain a broader understanding of the world around us. This can be achieved through reading, learning about different cultures, or even engaging in meaningful conversations with others who hold different views. Lewis encouraged us to be open-minded, curious, and willing to learn from others.
Follow The Argument Wherever It Leads
In God In The Dock, C. S. Lewis reminded us that “Socrates had exhorted men to ‘follow the argument wherever it led them’” (p. 126). Actually, Socrates said, “We must follow the argument wherever, like a wind, it may lead us” (Republic 394d). Socrates argued (pun intended) that one should not be afraid of questioning or challenging ideas and beliefs, even if they seem uncomfortable or go against commonly accepted views. By urging us to follow the argument, Socrates was urging us to explore and engage in intellectual discussions without preconceived biases or limitations. There is power in critical thinking and the pursuit of truth through logical reasoning.
Lewis’ statement is so true: “Each group hears not the best, but the worst, that the other group can say” (p. 127). There is a tendency for groups or individuals to only hear and focus on the negative aspects or criticisms coming from others. He wanted us to recognize this bias and strive to approach discussions and disagreements with an open mind, actively seeking out the best arguments and perspectives from all sides. By doing so, we can foster a more constructive and empathetic dialogue, leading to a better understanding of different viewpoints and ultimately a more inclusive and tolerant society.
Is It Time To Re-Story?
I am a big believer in reflecting on the narratives we are developing with our lives and continually creating a new, more fulfilling and meaningful story for ourselves. To do this we can do what Bruce Feiler called “re-storying” our lives in his great book, The Search: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World. Sometimes the prompt that allows us to re-story our lives is what Feiler called a “workquake,” which Feiler defined as “a moment of disruption, inflection, or reevaluation that redirects our work in a meaningful way.” Things like taking a new job, going back to school, losing employment, the birth of a child – or, as witnessed in the last few years, even a pandemic can cause a workquake, according to Feiler. In other words, what I call “life happening.”
To re-story our lives means to consciously and intentionally rewrite or reshape the narrative of our personal experiences. It involves examining the stories we have been telling ourselves about our lives, identifying any negative or limiting beliefs that may be holding us back, and then actively working to change those stories into more positive and empowering ones. How about you? Have you had a workquake or life happened in a way it is time to re-story?
Remove The Strings
Creating an environment where individuals feel motivated and capable, leads to better collaboration and overall success. Empowering our team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions, while providing guidance and support in the background is an important role of leadership. An effective leader is able to guide and influence their team without command and control. This can be applied to various situations where the skillful execution of something makes it seem effortless or natural to those observing.
This reminds me of the metaphor “In a good puppet show, you never see the strings.” It means that in a well-executed performance or situation, the behind-the-scenes work or mechanisms are not visible or obvious to the audience. It implies that everything appears seamless and effortless, giving the impression that there is no hidden effort or manipulation involved.
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