[Ailist] Four Quadrants: Structure?

[Ron Smith]

I suggest you figure out an example to explaining the different areas:

I like to use a "bicycle in the box" example. The action folks start putting 
it together without the instructions. The relationship people go get a 
friend and do it together over a beer, the meaning folks think about the 
ride , they will look and understand the picture of the "put together bike" 
first, how its going to change their life or their kids life....? what the 
box of parts from china went through to get to the US (and on and on....).

The "structure" folks will pull out the instructions first, count the parts, 
follow the directions, may be upset if the instructions are poorly written, 
will be amazed and appreciative if the instructions are well done, check 
their tools, layout the parts in order, clear the space, etc etc. They see 
things more black and white, grey is a challenge for them but manageable 
with effort, they like numbers and appreciate a well balanced check book, 
they find their way to the military, bookeeping and accounting, project 
management, system analysis etc. Without these folks we would certainly live 
in more chaos than perhaps we can handle.

Of course when all is said and done, I almost always spend some time asking 
the group "is this is all we are".....the "boxes" or quadrants that we are 
so taken with? What else are we? How do we express it? Does our culture 
value differently, people with these different preferences? Why is that? Is 
their a trend right now in this regard? Why? Is this hurtful or a good 
thing? What would it take to move into a place of deep respect and 
appreciation for each preference, each way we present ourselves to the world 
around us? (is it  Carl Rogers "unconditional acceptance"..?) . Finally and 
most importantly, how can you use this information to improve your ability 
as a person, team, group, organization to  work together toward your common 
goals? (remember, this is how we often get paid for!!)

Hope the "structure" explanation helps, I will check out Kolbe,

Thanks,

Ron Smith
Director, CELULA
Centro Experiencial de Liderazgo
Universididad Latinoamericana
011 52 558 500 8100 ext. 8235
Gabriel Mancera 1402 Col. Del Valle
Mexico DF, Mexico CP 03100
Gabriel Mancera 1402
D.F. Mexico

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donald P Austin" <don.austin at charter.net>
To: <ailist at lists.business.utah.edu>
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 7:31 AM
Subject: [Ailist] RE: theory/interviews


> Ron, I think this is a GREAT idea.  I am curious about the labels of the
> four quadrants, though.  Based upon Kolb's theory and instrument, left to 
> my
> own, I would have used the words acting (action), valuing (relationship?),
> thinking (meaning), and deciding (structure???).  I actually like your 
> words
> better; they are more "normal," except for "structure."  I think the word
> structure means many different things to different people and might be
> confusing?
>
> Anyway, thanks for a great idea!
>
> Don
>
>
> action, meaning, relationship, structure
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 10:02:26 -0500
>> From: "Ron Smith" <ronsmith at terrela.com>
>> Subject: [Ailist] theory/interviews
>> To: "AI List Serve" <ailist at lists.business.utah.edu>
>> Message-ID: <002c01c7da96$66040ec0$240aa8c0 at RON>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> thanks to all on this theme, before it closes out here's an activity:
>>
>> If you don't have the time or money to do personality profiling of your
>> group (MeyersBriggs or other) there is a quickie exercise (known to many)
>> to find out if there are a lot of folks in your group who need to
>> understand the ideas and the foundational concepts behind AI and the
>> interviews before you go too far with the "cycle". I have a colorful tarp
>> but you can just use tape on the floor/carpet to create a cross with 4
>> cuadrants: action, meaning, relationship, structure. You explain the
>> meaning of each cuadrant, the careers that often go with them and ask for
>> participant ideas about the 4 areas. Then ask them to go to the
>> quadrant/word with which they identy most. You could hold for later, the
>> theory, if there is no one in the "meaning" quadrant.....or modify it up
>> or down in terms of time depending on the percentage of people in the
>> quadrant (or catch a few of them at the break to fill in the theory as 
>> you
>> proceed). If you are working with a sales group (action and relati
>>  onship) they will be taking a power nap (or worse talking to a friend on
>> their cell phone) during your passion filled presentation on
>> constructionist theory.
>>
>> Have fun
>>
>> Ron Smith
>> Director, CELULA
>> Centro Experiencial de Liderazgo
>> Universididad Latinoamericana
>> 011 52 558 500 8100 ext. 8235
>> Gabriel Mancera 1402 Col. Del Valle
>> Mexico DF, Mexico CP 03100
>> Gabriel Mancera 1402
>> D.F. Mexico
>>
>
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