Learning Contracts LO18465

Richard C. Holloway (learnshops@thresholds.com)
Sun, 21 Jun 1998 07:17:58 -0700

Replying to LO18446 -- was: Intro -- Nick Avery

Hi, Nicholas--

I'd like to respond to your inquiry in a nondirect way. My experience is
that contracts or charters can be an excellent way to define
relationships, responsibilities and purpose among the parties to the
charter.

One of the more positive uses of contracts I've seen was with a small team
specializing in mental health services to children. They used a Full
Value Contract that was quite short--and specific--about expectations,
relationships, values and responsibilities. Since the "boss" was a
signatory--and the whole group "walked" the talk of the contract, their
team managed to stay out of many of the problems that similar teams were
frequently mired in.

I've seen the charters being used in state agencies to implement
continuous improvement processes. The best ones are quite simple, direct
and worked on together by all members of the team. If you're interested,
I'm sure that I could get a copy of one of these better charters for you.
Send an e-mail directly to me if you'd like a sample.

regards,

Doc

Nicholas_Avery@ansett.com.au wrote:

> 1) Are learning contracts a useful tool to facilitate learning and increase
> the levels of learning self-awareness & responsibility?
> 2) How can learning contracts be introduced successfully?

-- 
"The most invisible creators I know of are those artists whose medium is life
itself. The ones who express the inexpressible - without brush, hammer, clay or
guitar. They neither paint nor sculpt - their medium is being. Whatever their
presence touches has increased life. They see and don't have to draw. They are
the artists of being alive."  - J. Stone

Thresholds--developing critical skills for living organizations Richard C. "Doc" Holloway Olympia, WA ICQ# 10849650 Please visit our new website, still at <http://www.thresholds.com/> <mailto:learnshops@thresholds.com>

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