[[Doing]] tags:: #on/behavior | #on/debriefing dates:: 2022-03-21 people:: #people/chrisargyris # Theory of action *Let's explore the difference between what we say and what we do.* This reminds me of [[embrace your hypocrisy]] when thinking about our own gap. It reminds me of Growth [[Mindset]], looking for the learning in the most painful moments by trying to [[invest in loss to get new growth]]. It's kind of like [[modern ancient mismatch]], how our modern world makes us feel like we need to behave a certain way, but our ancient mind is full of drivers based on the [[approach-withdrawal system]]. We also are more motivated by loss than gain which makes us loss averse, or get into a defensive posture. The theory of action is the basis for the Chris Argyris and Robert Quinn theory of how to get past defensiveness into a learning mode. #### Theory in use What people actually do #### Defensive reasoning - Win more than loose - Appear rational - Maintain individual control - Avoid negative feelings #### Espoused Theory What people state they would do Inquiry is used to explore the gap between these two: [[expect surprises]] This matters because when we are working on [[Learning]] we MUST inevitably disrupt the defending of the pre-existing state to get people to imagine the new state. ### What would the opposite argument be? [[Skilled Incompetence]] ### Sources: [@argyrisTeachingSmartPeople1991] [@argyrisOrganizationalLearningII1996] [@argyrischrisSkilledIncompetence1986] [[Change the World]]