SYNTHESIS WRITTING

Synthesis Writing

Synthesis Writing

It is said that intuition and leadership is the key to success. It is a gut feeling that we somehow know is correct, even though there are no hard data to prove it for certain. It is partly a product of experience, training, and education over the years combined with skills on the feeling side. Immunity to change is about psychological, immune systems and how they protect us from our own best attempts to change our own mindsets.

The authors simplify the path of adult development into three main phases, or what others have called mental operating systems. When you move up from #1 toward #3, you expand the complexity with which you view yourself and your world. This allows you to address the complex problems modern leaders face with an appropriately broader perspective.

The Socialized Mind

Heavily influenced by the expectations of others, what is acceptable according to the team, the boss, and the prevailing values of the organization?

The Self-Authoring Mind

Decide independently, according to one's own beliefs, values and opinions. Confidence in one's own judgment so as not to feel the need for input or approval of others.

The Self-Transforming Mind

Seeing the limits and incompleteness of relying on just one's own perspective and ideology. Open to considering potential “truths” in other positions, even contradictory ones.

For example, when cardiologists tell their seriously risk patients they will literally die if they do not change their eating, drinking, smoking, and exercise habits. If people cannot make thoroughly desired changes when their virtuous lives are on the line, say Kegan and Lahey, how can leaders expect to drive change when the stakes are much lower? It is not a problem of will, say the authors, but of closing the gap between what we want and what we're currently able to do. We know change ...