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Viewpoint Learning Model
The Viewpoint Learning Model grows from a new
understanding of how people in organizations
and society need to learn, align, lead and implement.
Our model is based on a half-century of research
by Viewpoint Learning's founders into how organizations
and the public learn and make up their minds
on difficult issues. This research demonstrates
that people's views evolve through three stages:
- Consciousness Raising
In Stage I, Consciousness Raising, people become aware of an issue
and develop a sense of urgency. There are many
well-established ways to accomplish this both
in organizations and in society (e.g., speeches,
conferences, planning groups, the media, advocacy
organizations, advertising, etc.).
- Working Through
It's
easy to ignore the working through
stage for two reasons:
- In the past top leaders did not need their
followers to work through issues. They could work through issues by themselves and expect others to implement their decisions.
However, if decisions on today's
most important issues are to
be accepted, understood and
implemented effectively, leaders
must engage many more people
in working through.
- We often assume that information and rational deliberation alone will drive people's choices and judgments. But when issues involving values, identity and worldview are at stake, strong feelings are bound to arise.
These values and feelings must be integrated into the choice-making process in a productive way. They cannot be excluded.
People reach their most important judgments by successfully blending facts and values through dialogue.
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In Stage II, Working Through, people struggle to reconcile proposed action with their basic values. If the choices are tough or involve painful tradeoffs, people procrastinate and avoid the "choice-work" needed to arrive at mature judgment and resolution.
Eventually, however, through interaction with others, people engage the issue from different viewpoints, and gradually abandon wishful thinking. This involves a process of dialogue in which people come to understand other points of view and use that understanding to broaden their own. Working through is driven less by information than by feelings, values and moral convictions.
- Decision-Making
and Resolution
In Stage III, Decision-Making and Resolution,
leaders build on the Working Through stage to make the key decisions
needed to resolve the issue. If these decisions are made prematurely
without successful working through, however, the issue remains unresolved
in reality, and returns again and again.
Stage II, working through, is the most complex of the three stages because inviting people to change strongly held views or to choose among cherished but conflicting values evokes strong emotions.
go to top How is Viewpoint Learning's Model Different?
The traditional leadership model focuses on Stages I and III, but tends to ignore the working through stage because of the time investment required, the emotions it evokes, and the skills needed to counter resistance to change.
Our organizations, communities and society possess the knowledge and techniques needed for Stages I and III. However, they lack adequate mechanisms and institutions for Stage II, Working Through, or even a sound understanding of its dynamics.
As a result, issues get stuck in Stage II, and remain stuck for months, years or decades. Viewpoint Learning's programs are designed to help leaders at all levels in organizations, communities, and society to engage people effectively in this process of working through.
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