Replying to LO29027 --
Dear LO-ers
Discrepancies in the orbits of planets have lead astromers to suspect the
existence of a ninth planet before it (Pluto) was actually discovered in
1930. Though we now know its mass is too small to account for the
discrepancies, the latter still fueled and sustained much of the
underlying curiosity.
Discrepancies abound in the universe of organisational science. Though as
a science it may never approximate the precision now so characteristic of
astronomy, the many underlying discrepancies fuel our individual and
collective curiosity (passion to learn?).
Is there a single large entity in our (organisational) universe, which
will - once it is discovered and accounted for - explain some (or many) of
the discrepancies we now wrestle with. I believe so.
The current dialogue concerning the nature, scope and role of consultants
again highlights our different and often contradicting experiences. Having
worked with a large Insurance company for the past 6 years my own
experience differes from the one Alex describes. Which, let me hasten to
add, does not invalidate his own experience. Alex wrote:
> I would still argue that a
> consultant that is almost permanently
> part of the same organization for
> a longer period of time looses the
> outside perspective the company
> normally seeks when he/she is hired.
Ever since my first encounter with this list I suspected that only if and
when we understand the mechanics and dynamics of <energy> in
organisational contexts, will some of the discrepancies be cleared up. The
issue is not whether a consultant should be(come) involved but <how>. The
<how> is dealt with in the 7 E's, though much remains to be learnt in
terms of the praxis therefo.
I remember how I stumbled into the LO-list (circa July 1999): I typed
<energy> into a search engine (Webferrret my favourite cyberpet) and in
addition to an enormous learning curve, as a bonus I met At as well.
I suspect (hope) At will be writing about the need for consultants to be
sensitive to organisational energy dynamics soon.
with kind regards
Chris Klopper
--"Chris Klopper" <syntagm@icon.co.za>
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