2001-03-22 Action inquiry along the developmental path

P&OT is a highly engaging new guide to putting action inquiry from theory into practice. Journal entries and reflections from working MBA students, consultants and executives illustrate the success of this carefully constructed "manual" to enhance self-efficacy and awareness of multiple mental models in action. Unlike Argyris's and Senge's work, which advocates systems theory as a better, more adequate worldview than the common linear-scientific mental model in Western society, P&OT elucidates the whole sequence of the developmental trajectory in adults. It covers the transformation from early stages to the most rare, and most complex and influential mental models beyond a systems view. It gives a vivid sense of each action logic as it represents both a triumph over the earlier worldview or mental model and presents its own specific opportunities and vulnerabilities for further growth. In addition, the authors postulate developmental parallels to organizational stages and evolution. These may be helpful as signposts or in locating particular growing pains that companies go through from their conception stage through systematic productivity. Ever more important in today's global environment, P&OT also shows what it takes for organizations to become viable learning communities that are capable to renew themselves in response to multiple constituencies and rapidly changing conditions. Fisher, Rooke and Torbert provide an excellent and practical resource for organizational studies and leadership development courses, as well as transformational consulting and coaching. This handy volume calls on all of us to be more courageous, experimental and mindful, a message which is also at the core of Bohmian dialogue practices, critical thinking and self-reflection exercises from other sources. Moreover, with its rigorous developmental foundation, P&OT fits into the All Quadrant, All Levels model of science as advocated in Ken Wilber's Integral Psychology.