John Dicus said
>my partner called up and said she was having one of those days where
>familiar words looked strange
>she simply said, explain to me the difference between assumptions and mental
>models in common words
I've been lurking too long, mainly because by the time I read LO messages
and take the time I need to prepare a response so much time has gone by
that I assume everyone else has responded and my response will be too late
to be useful. Obviously one of my assumptions here is that other list
subscribers are reading and responding faster than I am. My mental model
in operation is, as far as a hasty self-assessment reveals, a model of the
appropriate, best, most acceptable, commonly shared, method of reading and
responding to postings. My assumption is that I will be too late to
contribute anything valuable.
The mental model behind this is a model for the perfect post and includes
the notion that contributions must be made within a certain time in order
to be of value, and that value found by readers is knowable by me. In
other words the way I construct the difference between mental models and
assumptions is that I make assumptions about other people's mental models,
and my mental models lead me to make assumptions. If I suspend all
judgement I will not attribute any value to the amount of time gone by,
will not decide in what way my postings will be received or that I can in
any way judge the value others will find in anything I may post.
In my work with people I am constantly reminded that we get into trouble
because we assume others are working from, or hold, the same mental
models. It is in checking out each others mental models that we realize
the futility in assuming things. I often say to group work participants
"my assumption is that you will all take responsibility for your own
learning." Even if people agree that is a safe assumption, how do I know
what their mental model is for taking "responsibility for your own
learning"?
-- Patrice
"The off-center, in-between state is an ideal situation, a situation in
which we don't get caught, and in which we can open our hearts and minds
beyond limit." Pema Chodron, When Things Fall Apart.
--Patrice Lewis I email: patricelew@aol.com Facilitator, Coach, Trainer I Helping People Help Themselves To Increase Collaboration, Effectiveness and Creativity I (206) 938-2118
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>