A few examples of my political commentary are also provided. A summary of all documents is provided to help you select items of interest.
Articles and Stories
1. ISU Team Skills Guide
This short guide summarizes the information in the team skills, project
management, and process guides from the website.
2. The Firestone
Discovery, love, relationships, renewal, and learning: A short story that
revolves around a simple stone.
3. The Firestone – Questions for Reflection
These questions inquire about events in The Firestone. They probe some of the
everyday things we all have the power to do to improve the environment we live in.
4. Perpetuating Humanity’s Gifts
This is a long essay about creating a better world, achieving a sustainable
environment, and perpetuating human knowledge.
5. Thoughts on Creating A Learning Organization
Thoughts have been extracted from the book Organizing For Leaning by
Daniel Kim that describe learning organization concepts and practices. I have
attempted to capture some major themes that should be considered in developing
a learning organization.
6. Thinking About Organizational Thinking
Eight Ways to Meet the Challenges We Face
7. The task of Leadership
Creating the context for people to be motivated and Inspired.
8. Daring to Lead
Building the capacity to lead, think, and act.
9. The Power of Clear Direction
Clear direction and individual support of that direction are the most important
factors in team success.
10. The Discovery Process of Current Reality and Vision
A shared vision can have profound importance in creating personal and organizational
energy. This is a story of creating purpose, vision, and values.
11. Recognizing Our Own Power
The purpose of this In2InThinking network "thought piece" is to provide thinking
about ways to recognize and use the power we already possess.
12. Personal Reflections on Patterns of Behavior
One way to begin our understanding of the system we operate in is to consider
our own role in maintaining the system as it currently exists.
13. Process Consultation
A summary is provided of Edgar Schein’s ten principles of process consultation.
14. Group Action Learning
This paper reviews a group action learning process that provides an opportunity for
each member of the group to focus on problems and dilemmas. The process is
designed to provide a deep level of self-reflection so that we reveal to ourselves
our (often un-tested) assumptions and theories about handling problems.
15. Definitions of Purpose, Vision, Values, etc.
Definitions of purpose, vision, mission, values, objectives and goals are provided. I have
found these useful in gaining group understanding and consensus as there are many
definitions in use for each of these words.
16. Daring to Explore : The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Opening remarks at the 2006 In2InThinking Forum highlight the Lewis and Clark Expedition
as an exploration model to emulate.
17. The value of clear separation of learning and decision making
Better decision making can result from processes that allow separation of the learning phase
and the decision phase.
18. A current reality process
A process is provided for use by groups in discovering current reality.
19. Forces for Stability and Change
Tension is the predictable condition every organization finds itself in as it deals with the forces
of stability and change.
20. Team Skills – Team Leader Roles
A summary of important roles of team leaders is provided.
21. Thoughts on Organizational Defensive Routines
A summary is provided of Chris Argyris’ work on organizational defensives routines and
how this affects learning.
22. Becoming More Effective: Moving from Model I to Model II Social Virtues
A summary is provided of Chris Argyris’ work on social virtues and how changes in our
thinking can improve our effectiveness.
23. Using Processes for Team Learning
An overview is provided of the opportunity to use processes to achieve team success.
Political Commentary
a. An Open Letter to Dick Cheney (2002)
My fear, anxiety, and anger about proposals to enter the Iraq War.
b. Secretary of State Colin Powell (2003)
Transmittal of important information about the Iraqi situation.
c. A Time for New Leadership for America (2004)
George Bush does not deserve a second term as Commander in Chief.
d. Bakersfield Californian Letter to the Editor (2004)
A short editorial of “A Time for New Leadership for America”.
e. Columbia Investigation (2003)
Changing culture at NASA. Some references and suggestions.
f. Mr. Scott Ridder (2008)
A thank-you note to Scott Ridder for his continuing quest for the truth about weapons
of mass destruction in Iraq.
g. War Quotes (timeless)
A couple of war quotes that seem particularly applicable to the Iraqi war.
