RE: Fighting The Merit Cycle- Help!

["Vic Forte" <vic@vichara.f9.co.uk>]

Adults (and this includes senior executives, although some may disagree <g>)
usually learn best by having a theory which they can test and experience the
results. They like to be in control of their own learning. They need to have
respect for the expertise of the teacher or trainer.

The red beads experiment introduces with great impact the idea that the
problem lies in the system. But I agree with Neal that it needs to be
followed up with action.

It gives them a theory. Now it needs to be tested in the real world.

So ask them if they are prepared to test it by working on a real life
process (nothing too big) with people involved using PDSA. You are asking
them to suspend judgement and conduct an experiment. The outcome you can
hope for is that the experience will convince them that the problem really
was in the system and that the workers were all doing their best. This
learning can be brought out by you as facilitator.

They might also become astounded by the qualities that they discover amongst
their own people, be more inclined to get close to them, and less inclined
to seek to control them with remote bonus systems. You never know, they
might even improve something <g>.

It is only through this kind of experience that transformation happens. It
is better to gain one life-long ally this way, than a hundred people who
forget after a week and slip back into old habits.

Good luck. I can tell you though, it does work.
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