Cognitive psychologist Gary Klein discusses the PreMortem Method of Risk Assessment, exploring the challenges of integrating a culture of curiosity, the importance of building cultures of curiosity and learning in organizations, and the effectiveness of the shadow box method in improving decision-making skills.
The premortem technique promotes a culture of discovery, candor, and learning, ultimately leading to better decision-making and improved outcomes.
Shadowboxing provides valuable training in decision-making and problem-solving skills, allowing individuals to learn from the expertise of others.
Deep dives
Creating a Culture of Curiosity and Learning
Building a culture of curiosity and learning in organizations is essential to adapt to a changing world. Encouraging curiosity allows people to notice what isn't working and to explore ways to improve. However, there are obstacles to fostering curiosity, such as the tension between curiosity and smooth operations within organizations. Managers may feel pressured to stick to the original plan and may be resistant to changes or delays. Overcoming these obstacles requires a shift in mindset and the establishment of psychological safety. One effective tool for promoting curiosity and learning is the premortem technique. By imagining that a project has already failed, teams can identify potential problems and weaknesses beforehand, facilitating a culture of candor and an openness to learning from mistakes.
The Benefits of Premortem Technique
The premortem technique is a powerful tool for risk management and improving decision-making. By conducting a premortem at the beginning of a project, teams can anticipate and address potential problems proactively. In a premortem, team members imagine that the project has failed and then individually write down the reasons for its failure. The leader then collects and discusses these reasons, creating an environment where people are encouraged to voice concerns and criticisms. This technique changes the mindset by shifting from an overconfident attitude to a more realistic and cautious approach. The premortem technique promotes a culture of discovery, candor, and learning, ultimately leading to better decision-making and improved outcomes.
Shadowboxing: Learning from Experts
Shadowboxing is a training technique that allows individuals to learn from the expertise of others. In a shadowboxing exercise, individuals are presented with simulated situations where they make decisions and set goals. Their rankings and reasons are then compared to those of a group of experts who have gone through the same exercise previously. This process helps individuals expand their mental models, uncover overlooked factors, and appreciate relationships they may not have considered. Shadowboxing provides an opportunity to mimic the mindset of experts and learn from their perspectives, providing valuable training in decision-making and problem-solving skills. This tool can be particularly effective when used by organizations to train their teams and cultivate a culture of curiosity, learning, and continuous improvement.
Fostering a Culture of Curiosity and Learning
To foster a culture of curiosity and learning, organizations should implement techniques like premortems and shadowboxing. However, creating such a culture requires more than just the use of tools. It requires a mindset shift that embraces questioning, curiosity, and continuous learning. Leaders should be encouraged to set the tone by actively participating in these exercises and promoting psychological safety. Additionally, organizations can explore other resources and readings on the topic, such as the books 'Snapshots of the Mind' and 'Sources of Power: How People Make Decisions' by cognitive psychologist Gary Klein. These resources offer further insights into fostering curiosity, improving decision-making, and building a culture of learning within organizations.
Cognitive psychologist Gary Klein has spent his career examining how decisions get made across real-world scenarios. He is well-known for creating the PreMortemMethod of Risk Assessment, an risk management exercise that helps project team members imagine potential problems upfront, rather than examining shortfalls in hindsight. In this episode, we dig into the how and why of Klein’s premortem practice, what differentiates it from other strategic tools, as well as the challenges of integrating a culture of curiosity into established ways of working.
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