[Ailist] SOAR and LSI

[Don Austin]

Hi all,
 
For some reason, this thought came to me out of the blue this morning,
connected with seemingly unrelated ideas.  How or why, I do not know.
 
I have always been interested in the discussions about SOAR for strategic
planning, as have so many on this list.  I imagine many of you are familiar
with the LSI (Learning Style Inventory).  Very thorough and convincing
research by David Kolb twenty years ago showed four fundamental aspects of
learning:  reflection observation, active experimentation, concrete
experience, and abstract conceptualization.  Out of this he proposes four
distinct preferences for learning.  For example, someone who prefers to
reflect on observed concrete experience learns very differently from someone
who prefers to experiment with abstract concepts.  Of course, thorough
learning of anything requires the use of all the learning styles to some
extent, somewhere in the overall process.
 
Recently, there was discussion here about adjusting AI and/or strategic
planning language to the audience, for example, in reference to their MBTI
type.
 
All of this is lead up to the simple idea that our language needs to also
take into account peoples' learning style preferences.
 
I am guessing that someone who enjoys reflecting on experience will take to
AI/SOAR language more readily, and someone who prefers active
experimentation with abstract concepts will take more to SWOT language, not
wanting to risk ignoring the abstract categories of "weaknesses and
threats."  An engineering firm would gravitate toward abstract language.  A
social services organization might more prefer concrete language.
 
Regardless of our language and labels, of course, any useful strategic
planning will need to somehow consider everything that is needed for a
successful future strategy, including inspiration and how to ward off real
threats.  Or, am I showing my attraction to abstractions?
 
Don Austin, Ph.D. 
Bedrock Effective Action 
Developed for You-with You
 
Cobblestone Coaching 
 
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