Assumptions vs. Mental Models LO16068

Ed Brenegar (edb3@email.msn.com)
Wed, 3 Dec 1997 18:13:16 -0000

Replying to LO16049 --

Patrice, In replying to LO16049, you wrote:

>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.

I know your posting was about assumptions, but I appreciate your openness
and candor about your own mental models. I believe that there are a few
of us perfectionists on the LO list who feel the same way. Let me
encourage you to respond whenever you feel appropriate. Sometimes the
last word is the best word. And for some of us, we need to write quick
responses because that is how we think. For others they need to think and
reflect before being ready to respond. Both are important.

Finally, I find that I want to read several responses to a posting because
I want to see where the discussion is going beyond I jump in. So please
take the liberty to speak to an issue whenever appropriate. It is for all
our benefit to hear from you.

warm regards,

Ed Brenegar
Leadership Resources
edb3@msn.com

-- 

"Ed Brenegar" <edb3@email.msn.com>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>