Weekly Homework

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

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Homeworks

 

Homework 1

Due Wednesday, January 17 

"Beyond Blame Games"

 

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.

 

Homework 2

Due Monday, January 22 

"Thinking Outside the Box 1"

 

Briefly list 5-7  functions – “games,” “frames,” “dimensions,” “parameters of value” – that are involved in university grading systems.   E.g.,          

a) grades provide feedback to parents

b) grades…

c) grades…

…

Homework 3

Due Monday, January 29

“Working Smarter”

    Quoting the late Peter Drucker, “In knowledge and service work…the first questions in increasing productivity – and working smarter – have to be, “What is the task? What are we trying to accomplish? Why do it at all? The easiest, but perhaps also the greatest, productivity gains in such work will come from defining the task and especially from eliminating what does not need to be done.”

    So, pick an example of a situation you are familiar with where there is a real need to ask, “What is the task?” Briefly describe the ways things are and what needs to be done.  You might also identify eliminating what does not need to be done! 

Homework 4

Due Monday, February 5

“Structure and Productivity”

 

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

   First, briefly describe its key structural characteristics if efficiency is your primary design principle (e.g., Dilbert cubes).

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

 

Homework 5

Due Monday, February 12

“Learning to Think in Circles”

Pick one of the three "systems archetypes" (self-fulfilling prophecies, escalation, fixes that fail) from Monday’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.

 

Homework 6

Due Monday, February 19

Reframing: “Turning negatives into positives.”

Briefly describe a “problem” facing you or a chore that you must do.

Now reframe it by viewing the problem or the chore as an opportunity.

Briefly tell me what you now see and tell me what you now feel.

  

Homework 7

Due Monday, March 12

“Seek First to Understand”

 

     First, read the Covey selections from Monday's required readings:  PF-Y: Covey (excerpt) and “Principles of Empathic Communication," Covey.  Combined, they are “Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.”

     Next,  "seek first to understand" in a situation that comes up this 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.