TACTics Journal
A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners
November 2008

 

 

In this issue:

 

-         “Announcing the 12th TOCfE International Conference!”  from Kathy Suerken

-          “AHAs from TOCfE Warsaw Conference”  from  Lina Simonavicute, Lithuania

-         “Translating Reflections and Inspiration from Polish Conference into a Local Vision” from Debi Roberts,  United Kingdom

-         “Wanted” from Denise Meyer

-         “How to Be Your Own Jonah” Part 2 from Kathy Suerken

-         “TOC for the Soul”  from  Danilo Sirias, Ph.D

    -    “TOC and the Ladder of Inference” from James Holt, Ph.D (attached)

 

Announcing the 12th TOCfE International Conference!

 Kathy Suerken

 

Location:   Seattle-Takoma, Washington, USA

Venue and Accommodation:  Pacific Lutheran University

Date: June 2009

 

 

“Ahas from Warsaw Conference”

Lina Simonavicute, Lithuania

“Going there I didn’t know what to expect for. However, the experience I gained is unbelievable! And now let me to describe the most important thing I gained there. Before coming to the Conference I was pretty sure that business under TOC and TOC for Education is totally different fields. And finally I realized how blind I was! That belief/assumption was totally wrong. This “aha” moment, the deeper understanding inspired me to get through the crisis at my work and studies (to tell the true I am still working on my Core cloud and not going to give up!). I am considering even to join a JCI (social organization for young and active people) and to use TP tools there, working with other members, enabling them to know more about it. At work there is less freedom, its more “hard” field.”

 

 

 

“Reflections and Inspiration from Polish Conference.

How that translates into a local vision.”

Debi Roberts, United Kingdom

 

 

 

It was with much excitement that I arrived in Warsaw.  It was a journey to the home of some of my fore fathers, fore fathers I did not know but was undeniably connected to and touched by.  I wondered at the poignancy of that fact, as I sat that first night in the hotel reflecting on my recent journey to meet with a group of people who I now felt very much connected to and with whom I shared a vision and passion; using the tools that are TOC and sharing them with those that can benefit and grow through the knowledge that they make possible.

 

The conference for me was almost like a retreat. It was such a grounding experience, reminding me of what I want and what is possible and how much there still is to do.  I am so grateful to Kathy and Efrat for allowing us the opportunity to share with each other and explore together – what a gift those sessions were.  And how invigorating and inspirational it was to learn what incredible work people are involved with and what opportunities are being created all over the world for children and youth to experience TOC.

 

When I look at places where there is great strength and movement I see, as I would expect, great individual qualities and generosity of spirit. However, although each is unique they all share one characteristic…..they have an ‘other’. So this is my call to arms……..If you find yourself working hard but on your own, perhaps there is some merit in exploring what strengths others can bring to your work.

 

The UK has always been a place of innovation and leadership and great entrepreneurial spirit and as such it is of no great surprise that we all seem so very busy working as individuals making wonderful ripples (possibly even waves).  I wonder though, what might be achieved if we were able to communicate or collaborate more easily. And perhaps this is true for other areas of the world who have isolated pockets of TOC knowledge who do not yet have a shared vision or plan.

 

So I would like to challenge all of you who do not yet feel supported or able to support others to reflect on why that is and what might be done to change that.

 

If you are based in the UK and would like to explore what synergy exists and look at how we can best utilize our ‘not-for-profit’ status to create a momentum for change then please get in touch (debiroberts@hotmail.co.uk) I would love to hear from you. The intention being to create a forum for communication either virtually or face to face that will allow TOC to be shared more easily and with greater numbers and really see the UK make the most of the opportunity Dr. Goldratt gave us.

 

If you are not UK based but would like to be in contact with people exposed to TOC who are looking at how to be effective in setting up projects that impact as many as possible then please, please also get in touch.  We all have so much to offer and so much to share.

 

I look forward to hearing from you or perhaps hearing in TACTICS the experiences and challenges others face in promoting TOC in their area.

 

With my very best wishes,

Debi Roberts. 

 

“Wanted”

Denise Meyer

 

WANTED:  U.S. TOC practitioners.  Do you sometimes feel like you out there all alone in the U.S. trying to change the world?  So do we.  We are trying to form a networking group for TOC in Education practitioners in the United States.  A major focus is to work on curriculum but if you just need someone to give you some feedback on something you're working on or to ask for help or advice we'd like to make that resource available by creating this group.  We plan to have regular meetings with an agenda maybe once every two months.  Details have not been worked out but we hope you will become part of the planning process.  If you are interested, please send me your email and we will organize an online meeting for the group and you will be invited. 

 

My information:  Denise Meyer; email - denise3491@yahoo.com; my phone:  (562) 595-8606.  Feel free to contact me if you are interested in participating.

 

“How to Be Your Own Jonah” Part 2

Kathy Suerken

 

Based on my interpretation of the character in THE GOAL, a Jonah is person who enables you to overcome obstacles that prevent you from achieving what’s important to you.  How does he/she do it?

 

Is it through questions that challenge your thinking…especially the assumptions upon which your paradigms are based?  And, is it really possible to challenge our own thinking if, as Chris Argyris suggests, we are blocked by filters of prior knowledge and experience and through which we process and interpret what we see, read & hear?  

 

In other words, at times are we so sure we have sufficient intuition and knowledge that we are blind to the possibility that ‘we don’t know that we don’t know’ and therefore we don’t even consider challenging the validity of what we are thinking? And/or  if we have already taken actions based on these assumptions,  our self esteem is so vested in them that most likely,  do we attempt to validate these assumptions only with someone likely to agree with them who will justify our actions (particularly if we are dealing with a chronic conflict? ) 

 

Lina Simonavicute of Lithuania, also references this phenomenon in checking the validity of our ‘half baked ideas.’    In reply to my question in last month’s TACTics and used with permission, she writes, “It is possible to be your own Jonah.  But maybe you need then another Jonah near you.   Because sometimes the process might be too hurtful and, without outside opinion, you could become blind from time to time.  It is true that every inventor falls in love with his/her inventions, it is true that inertia sometimes becomes very common, and, yes, it is true you gain wisdom in various fields.  We are already Jonahs for ourselves, but for POOGI the collaboration is very important.”

 

But what makes us Jonahs?    If collaboration with another Jonah is the safety net, what creates the platform?     Do we have a TOC process that enables us to guide ourselves toward the  clarity and precision needed in writing logical statements and connections  and especially toward  the honesty (and courage!) needed to challenge our assumptions upon which these statements and connections are based?

 

WE DO!!!  And it is very well described in part three of this series and which is attached.  Entitled “ Avoiding Incorrect Conclusions: TOC and the Ladders of Inference and written by Dr. James Holt, it is a masterful presentation of The TOC Categories of Legitimate Reservations shared as a keynote address at the 11th TOCfE International Conference.  Download a copy here.

 

“TOC for the Soul” Story Format

Danilo Sirias, USA

                                                                                          

Hello friends

 

I am seeking stories for the TOC for the soul book project and here is a description of the format for the story submission.  Upon request, I can send you an example of a story. (dsirias@svsu.edu)

 

It would be great if you can send your story by the end of January 2009.  Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Page Layout

Page Size: Width 6 in, Height 9 in

Margins: All margins 0.5 inches

Gutter 0.3 inch

Multiple pages: Mirror margins

Font: Times New Roman Size, 11

Single Space

Length

Between 2 and 10 pages trees included

Story

Stories should be real (not fiction here!)

Pick a creative title for the story

It is preferable that you do not use real names and make sure you have permission to share the story.

Stories ideally will contain an explanation of the problem, how the thinking tools were used (with trees included) and a final result.

Finish the story with your name and the country you are from.

Biography

If desired, include a short bio about yourself which will be included at the end of the book.

Permission

PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR EMAIL SUBMISSION A SENTENCE SAYING:  “I am giving permission to use the attached story(ies) in your TOC book.

 

Danilo Sirias, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Management

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, MI 48710

Phone: (989) 964-6080

Fax: (989) 964-4699

 

And Finally …

A personal apology for the delay to this November issue, I have been on a two-week course to upgrade my personal knowledge of the Thinking Process and have not been around to prepare and send the emails.  It just proves that we are never too old to learn!

 

Best wishes,

Alan …

Email:   tactics@mct-ltd.com