The Catalyst Perspectives Group
Response to Stimuli: An Overview
The Premise
Every living thing is capable of responding to stimuli from its environment. This capability requires that the organism is first able to detect relevant changes and then express an appropriate response. Every kingdom of living things displays a wide variety of forms and functions that enable the individual organism to sense its environment. While there is greater diversity in organisms that are able to move, even plants and other organisms that are sessile, have evolved an astounding variety of mechanisms for responding to stimuli from their surroundings.
Organizations need similarly comprehensive abilities to assess the changing dynamics of their settings and an equally varied and effective suite of capabilities to respond. One might even argue that, for an organization, the thoughtful response to changing internal dynamics may be even more crucial than autonomic responses that maintain homeostasis because missing an internal issue may reflect a substantive change that may be more consequential. Is your organization attuned to its setting and adjusting advantageously?
The Process
The essays in this section will consider:
- Oooops... That paint really is wet! --- Living things have a plethora of different parts and processes for perceiving their physical surroundings. Organizations must have these senses tuned to the needs of their employees and also must be able to assess changes in the climate of their business. Is your organization "in touch" with its surroundings?
- Ain't Misbehavin... As easy as ABC. --- Invariably, organisms display behaviors that are adaptive for their setting because the consequences of failing to do so are extinction. And yet, the challenge for consistently expressing the optimal behaviors is surely a greater challenge for organizations. Rather then managing cells, which are all guided by identical genes, organizations are managing the actions of self-guided employees. How well has your organization created conditions that consistently and effectively prompt productive behaviors from all employees?
- Preaching to the choir. --- Evolution has shaped living things so that they express the right behaviors, in the right manner, at the right time as needed for the species specific circumstances. Organizations need to have the same process rigor to ensure their success. Are all or your employees following best practices and using standard work to produce consistently high quality results?
Oooops... That paint really is wet!
The Premise
A: Chemoreception, Echolocation, Electroreception, Equilibrioception, Hearing, Magnetoception, Minerals, Nocieception, Pressure detection, Proprioception, Sight, Smell, Tactition, Taste, Thermoception, and Ultraviolet light,
Q: What are examples of the sensory abilities of living things?
It is unquestionably true that, if there is something changing in the environment that potentially could impact living things, there is a living thing in that environment that is able to detect that change. Of course, these abilities vary across living things and are specifically tuned to the circumstances of each species so that what they are able to detect is the most critical for their survival.
Because it is composed of living things, any organization must have a variety of sensory abilities just to be able to assess its physical space. However, beyond the confines of its physical environment, an organization must have senses that enable it to assess changing conditions in its business climate.
Is your organization "in touch" with its surroundings?
Readers' comments
Is the topic for this essay one that you are interested in? If yes, please let me know and I'll push it up the "to do" list and finish the essay for posting.
Of course, to make this a discussion, the reader (aka you) will need to offer your perspective. I'll add your comments directly to this section of the essay (or correct or edit other parts as needed). I'll take the liberty to edit lightly if appropriate and will include your contact information to encourage continued discussion.
Ain't Misbehavin... As easy as ABC
The Premise
A: Antecedent - Behavior - Consequence
Q: What does the ABC stand for in the ABC model of behavior?
Invariable, the behaviors and actions of a living thing are prompted by changes in either their internal or external environment. The "correct" behaviors have been selected for over evolutionary time to allow the organism to avoid something negative or benefit from something positive.
Organizational success is significantly depended upon how well the organization is able to create settings that promote the correct actions of the employees. These essential behaviors of the employees are what empower the processes that produce the products and services they deliver to customers.
How well has your organization created conditions that consistently and effectively prompt productive employee behaviors?
Readers' comments
Is the topic for this essay one that you are interested in? If yes, please let me know and I'll push it up the "to do" list and finish the essay for posting.
Of course, to make this a discussion, the reader (aka you) will need to offer your perspective. I'll add your comments directly to this section of the essay (or correct or edit other parts as needed). I'll take the liberty to edit lightly if appropriate and will include your contact information to encourage continued discussion.
Preaching to the choir
The Premise
A: A mixed metaphor to describe Best Practices & Standard Work.
Q: What is preaching to the choir while singing from the same sheet of music?
The animals foraging for food in the forest might not describe it as such but, they are expressing behaviors that represent standard work for their species in that setting. That is, they are performing the actions needed that are most likely to result in them finding the food they need. In this context, those behaviors are the "best practices" for that species and are defined by the species-specific form and functions that are encoded in their genes.
Sustainable success and growth for organizations also depends on employees who understand how and are consistently able to perform the activities they are responsible for.
Are all or your employees following best practices and using standard work to produce consistently high quality results?
Readers' comments
Is the topic for this essay one that you are interested in? If yes, please let me know and I'll push it up the "to do" list and finish the essay for posting.
Of course, to make this a discussion, the reader (aka you) will need to offer your perspective. I'll add your comments directly to this section of the essay (or correct or edit other parts as needed). I'll take the liberty to edit lightly if appropriate and will include your contact information to encourage continued discussion.