Replying to LO28126 by Daan and others earlier in the thread
Goeiendag Daan and LO'ers
Daan gave three different scenarios of a farmer giving an assignment to a
labourer.
And then Daan continues with
"There is of course no doubt as to which of the three examples one would
like to have applied to oneself.".
a) I agree with that, there is no doubt as to which of the three
examples I would like to have applied to myself. But that is not an
invariant. It depends on the context; and it is - I believe - not always
the same choice for different people. It depends on what level one is
operating giving the task. This is also part of the 2 x 2 matrix of
Situational Leadership (Paul Hersey).
b) Daan suggests, at least as I read it, that in the factoryfloor level,
the directive approach, there is no learning for the labourer. Well maybe
in the specific context of his example he is right, but in general I would
say that giving very detailed instructions can be a very good way to make
sure that a person (in this case the labourer) experiences something that
could lead to real authentic learning.
c) What I strongly miss in the discussion of Daan's scenarios is the
acknowledgement that the involved learning is a two way street street. The
manager should learn regarding the labourer, he should be willing to be
taught by the labourer regarding his capacities and his ideas about the
task. Managing is 'maatwerk', (tailored) to the specific person in a
specific situation.
You can only teach when you are willing to be taught at the same time.
Greetings,
René
René Post
ZANSHINconsultants
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