Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Generational
While facilitating a class of 21 year old seniors, I've been struck by how glued they are to their computers. As I've meandered around the class it is evident that they are checking on lots of things--including some of my comments or references. What is striking is that when I ask a direct question, only a hand full feel compelled to respond while the others just keep doing their computer work. I wonder about the loss of discourse and the unforunate apparent reiforcement that "being in your world" means to unshared wisdom?
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My classes start the semester in very much the same fashion and these dynamics persist for most of the semester. Given that my classes mostly are autonomous in the sense that they manage their own learning experience, one would think they would be more engaged. But, no, the group formation process has to play out--forming, conforming, storming, conforming...and then as the end of the semester gets closer, norming usually happens. I've come to think the punctuated equilibrium model of group change works quite well with the semester system; i.e., the real change doesn't happen (usually) until after spring/fall break.
ReplyDeleteLast week evidenced just such an occasion. One of my classes moved to the class next door--better chairs! The student facilitators for the day mainly asked questions about class progress and then...sat silent. More and more students began to talk (although one girl in the front was listening to a Mets game). The richness of the discussion moved to what is about as close to dialogue as classes seem to be able to accomplish. The "tone" is of speaking from the heart instead of the head was palpable.
Discussion comes from a group (usually the Es). Dialogue emerges from a community which takes time to build (i.e., trust).
And patience. Isn't it funny how the words patience, sympathy, empathy, passion, compassion and such all seem to involve some notion of "suffering together"?
As a member of the millenial generation (barely), and a MBTI carnivore, my mind is constantly engrossed in this "type" of debate. My current setting is composed of over 50% millenials and generation X'ers. By combining our demographics with an increased (to put it lightly) focus on productivity, I observe a decreased desire or interest in sharing wisdom via dialogue with others.
ReplyDeleteThe number one response that I hear to this seemingly unique concept is that, "sharing wisdom takes time." We live in a era where instant customization and access to answers from sources other than the individual sitting to your right hand side, outweigh the effort that it takes to engage others. However, are we fully losing shared dialogue? In my opinion, not yet.
When you walk on a college campus you will instantly notice that an overwhelming majority of students going from one class to another are on a cell phone, or listening to an iPod. If you stopped any of these students and asked them if there was value in sharing wisdom with the purpose of learning, you would surely receive an overwhelming positive response. What I observe is a degredation of the skills it takes to remain present long enough to reach dialogue. Furthermore, the desire to engage those who are different (E to I for example) in regard to their initial openness, is decreasing. As we all know, dialogue does not just happen instantly when two people engage one another.
Lastly, I am currently implementing a leadership development program based on the MBTI for a unit at our hospital. I have purposely designed this program to allow the I's, that ,are usually steamrolled in meetings, to have a chance to enter into dialogue with our group. The response of the group has been a new awareness as to the value of dialogue with those that present in a different manner. More importantly, they are slowly realizing the time that it takes to share wisdom, is well worth the effort! I am sure that all of you have encountered this very scenario.
So, as long as we can identify and act upon those crucial learning moments, I believe the experience of sharing wisdom through being present with others cannot be replaced by a youtube video. Lastly, this shift provides more opportunities to utilize MBTI concepts to improve effectiveness.