Information, Understanding, & Power Communication Presented By Donald W. Larson September 8, 2004

Types of Information “We are all surrounded by information that operates at various degrees of immediacy to our lives. These degrees can be roughly divided into five rings, although what constitutes information on one level for one person my operate on another level for someone else.” Information Anxiety 2, ISBN , page 160

Bodily function messages Least control, most affected

Formal and informal exchanges Most control as senders and receivers

System information Supportive documentation for our own lives

Current Events Influences our vision of the world

Least quantifiable form Attempts to come to terms with our civilization, our society as a whole

Information Interfaces The Interfaces of the rings form the essential relationships that are necessary with an increasingly complex world.

An Overview Of Understanding “Understanding should be thought of as a continuum from data to wisdom. The distinction between the steps along this continuum are not terribly discrete but they do exist on some levels.” Information Anxiety 2, ISBN , page 27

Without context or arrangement Has nothing to teach us

Arrangement shapes meaning and interpretation Presentation based upon the arrangement (i.e., verbal, visual); operates on a conceptual level

Gained by experiencing the same set of data in different ways from different perspectives Information understood in other contexts Not easily transferred between people except by stories

Intimately understanding enough patterns and meta-patterns; used in novel ways and situations in which we didn’t learn them Includes the characteristics of: objectivity, clarity, and discernment Almost impossible to transfer wisdom to others

An Example of Wisdom …You may remember a time in your own life when you stubbornly stuck to your position on a problem, but then been faced with options and perspectives you had not seen before. Suddenly, you see another—and better–solution. In this realization you moved from an attached position to a flexible place of wisdom. The Four-Fold Way ISBN , page 122

Review Information Rings: Internal Conversational Reference News Cultural Understanding: Data Information Knowledge Wisdom

Power Of Communication, Part 1 “Effective communications is the leader’s way” “Skillful communication means we have aligned content, timing, and context” “Blunt communication is an announcement of great content, but poor timing and context” “Confused communication often carries good timing and context but poor content and leads to incongruity between our words and behavior” The Four-Fold Way ISBN , page 24

Power Of Communication, Part 2 “Communication that carries integrity always considers timing and context before the delivery of content” “Direct communication—giving voice to what we see without blame or judgment—means we must consider the alignment of the appropriate word choice, tone of voice, and body posture” The Four-Fold Way ISBN , page 83

Power Of Communication Realization “Every head is a world” The Four-Fold Way ISBN , page 110)

The End Thank you for your time! Click your mouse-button to end this presentation. Don Larson Photo copyright © 2003 by Donald W. Larson