Weekly Homework

Probably the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Homework 8

"Seek First to Understand"

Due Tuesday, November 27

First, read the Covey selections from next Tuesday's required readings. Next, try to "seek first to understand" in a situation that comes up this Thanksgiving weekend where you normally would try to be understood -- e.g., you and your significant other have a "disagreement," one of your parents doesn't "get it," a friend is irritated at you. (If you're really ambitious, you might try to "seek first to understand" someone whose political / religious views you find repugnant!)

Then briefly describe to me -- a paragraph is fine -- what happened.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1: Briefly describe to me a “mess” YOU are familiar with. Then briefly teach me a stupid way to manage it, followed by a not-so-stupid way to manage it.

2: Briefly describe to me a “wicked problem” YOU are familiar with. Then briefly teach me a stupid way to manage it, followed by a not-so-stupid way to manage it.

2. Briefly describe to me a mess YOU are familiar with that is characterized by "interactive complexity." Then briefly teach me a stupid way to manage it, followed by a not-so-stupid way to manage it.

Then e-mail the result as an attachment.xls / or put hard copy in your folder Tuesday

You are designing a college dormitory or the office spaces of your company. Take your pick.

First, briefly describe its key features or characteristics if efficiency is your primary design principle.

Second, briefly describe its key features or characteristics if you were Judi Heerwagen (see "Unraveling the Mysteries of Productivity,” by Bonda).

Pick one of the three "systems archetypes" -- self-fulfilling prophecies, escalation, fixes that fail -- from Thursday’s readings.

Briefly describe to me a situation you are familiar with which illustrates the archetype’s dynamics.

Then teach me a stupid way to manage the situation followed by a not-so-stupid way to manage the situation.

First, tell me about a chore or task you have to do this weekend or some "problem" that comes up. Next, try thinking of it as a "challenge" or as an "opportunity." Whichever best resonates with you: chore--challenge, problem--opportunity. Now do it with this new frame in mind. Then, briefly tell me what difference, if any, this made.

For example, I hate mowing the lawn but it's got to be done. Last weekend, I reframed this chore as a challenge. I decided to try tracing out "crop circles" as I mowed. When I finished, instead of feeling exhausted and bored, I actually felt pumped and wide awake. Plus I did a good job of mowing to boot!

Briefly describe to me a "flow" moment you have recently experienced: what happened, what was it like, and so what.

Then, briefly tell me (and yourself) why and how you are going to start recapturing such moments from now into the future.