Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Being Human - Why do we do what we do?

Another slide from Tom Botts, in which he elegantly summarizes things people do in organizations while they try to operate safely, efficiently and sensibly. Next to each is the "code" for what each one actually means.

Normalizing ----> Always been there, now invisible
Distancing ----> Them, not me
Economizing ----> False efficiency
Discounting ----> Belief over evidence
Coping ----> Doing the best I can
Obscuring ----> Vague communication easier
Learning ----> Always optional

Look familiar? We've seen similar, but more humorous representations, in Scott Adams' Dilbert cartoons. Here's one example, relative to the "Learning" and/or "Discounting" points:

Asok asks, "Wally, how do you keep up with all the changes in technology?"

"Chasing knowledge is a fools game, Asok," replies Wally. Continuing on, he says, "I use experience to answer questions without the burden of knowledge. Observe."

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