Discernment

Linking Spiritual Insight To StrategicDecision Making

André L. DelbecqSanta Clara University

adelbecq@scu.edu©10 2011

Discernment

• “Discernment is a process that allows a person to see, without confusion and ambiguity, what differentiates things….The better our discernment, the clearer our choices.” Wolff (2003, 3)

• “Seeking the freedom to make choices which lead to the fullness of our own and the organization’s potential for greater service.” Delbecq (2006)

Strategic Decision-Making: A Pillar Of Leadership

Pivotal Leadership Roles are to Facilitate:

• An Unfolding Vision

• Determine Appropriate Strategic Choices

• Sustain Implementation Under Adversity

Strategic Decisions

• Both Means and Ends Are Unclear at the Beginning

• And Remain Tentative Even At the End of the Decision Process

Requiring Shared Discovery and Pooled JudgmentsContrasted to Expert Decision Making

Strategic Decisions More Than Rational/Technical Sequences

• Requires Personal Integration To Avoid Truncating The Process - Fear, Impatience,Undue Control

versus - Psychological,Ethical,Spiritual Maturity

• Requires Pooled Judgment Within A Community of Trust

– Complex Issues– Unanticipated Consequences– Loose Organizational Coupling For Implementation

Discernment: The Older Mother Of Decision Making

Listening to “The Will Of God”

– Requiring stillness,humility and patience

Deep, Subjective Insight– Reaches into heart of beliefs and inner self

Beyond Emotional Intelligence The Gift of Wisdom

Foundational Assumptions

• Dichotomy Between Sacred And Secular Is False– God Dwells Within Us And Creation

• God Is Immanent– If We Listen We Can Hear The Transcendent Through

Inner Silence

• Discernment Is a Holistic“Experience”– Involves Mind, Heart And Spirit

Parallels Across Traditions

• Reformed Christian Tradition– “Veni Creator Spiritus” in Lutheran, Anglican, Pentecostal

Traditions

• Jewish Tradition– Creator God Who Shares Wisdom and Acts in History

• Taoist– Chi Permeating The 10,000 Things

• Hindu– Non-dualism Etc.

A Christian Mystic

Everyone who seeks meaning in life must learn to listen with all their capacity in order to recognize the single voice that bears a thousand names. It is the voice spoken to us from the center of our personal being.

Frank Houdek, S.J.

Hindu Reflection

He is God, hidden in all beings,their inmost soul who is in all.

He watches the works of creation,lives in all things,watches all things.

The Upanishads

Taoist Perspective

• Look, it cannot be seen ---it is beyond form.

• Listen, it cannot be heard --- it is beyond sound

• Grasp, it cannot be held --- it is intangible

Tao Te Ching

Prevalence Of Failed Strategic Decisions

• More Than Half The Time Strategic Decision Making Fails

Paul Nutt, 1999; Ohio State University

Causes Of Failed Leadership:Over-reliance on Expertise

Assuming from past practices – Bounded By Past Personal “Expertise”

– Bounded By Prior Organizational Practices

Hindered by Deep Conceptual, Experiential,

Preferential Precedence

– Precipitous Closure

Under-attending the Voices Of Others

Stakeholder input not sought from those impactedSocial and political forces underestimated

Conflicting viewpoints not reconciled Barriers to action underestimatedOutside sources of information not sought

Failing to go outside organizational experience Precipitous resort to persuasion and power “Temptation from Light” - Ignatius of Loyola

Search Behavior Truncated

• Limited options considered• An early solution is uncritically promoted• Attention focused on select informants/examples• Experimental approach avoided

Non - confirming information ignored Search Behavior is More Important Than Brilliance Herbert Simon

Values Not Brought to Bear

• Values and Ethical Issues Not Attended• Relation to Mission Not Made Overt• Ontological Questions Ignored

Sophisticated Technocratic - Rational

Perspectives Remain Deficient

Succumbing to Hubris

Pooled Judgments Shown Superior to theSuperior Individual

Difficulties Manifest Even In Mature Leaders Who Are

• Within Boundaries Of Ethics And Law

• Not Subject To Serious Psychological Impediments

• In High-Performing Organizations

(in the present tense)

Discernment Seeks

• Freedom from one‘s own biases, defensiveness, preferences, narrowness, anxieties, fears, etc.

• Freedom for others inclusive of their needs and gifts

• Organizational freedom to aspire to stretch goals The Desire for Noble Purpose Connecting Mind and Heart

Ignatian “Magis”

Why A Structured Process?

• Orders Our Decision Making• Ensures Consideration Of All Relevant Factors• Elicits A Multiplicity Of Perspectives• Includes Our Spiritual Instincts And Intuitions• Increases Ability To Articulate The Rationale For

Our Decisions -Connecting Heart and Reason

Elements Of A Discernment Process

PRECONDITION: A ContemplativeInner Disposition

• Is A Gift Of The Spirit• Builds Regular Prayer/Meditation• Leads to Detachment From The Ego

Beginners Mind - Indifference-Openness Learned Through Daily Spiritual Disciplines

Elements Of A Discernment Process

Patience In Discovery Of The Underlying Problem• Identify and engage stakeholders • Discover relevant dimensions associated with the

central question• Attention to spiritual “insight” as well as rational

thought• Reconcile competing interpretations where possible Separating Problem Exploration from Solution Search Herbert Simon

Elements Of A Discernment Process

Engage Hard Work To Gather Information Regarding Solution Elements

• Elicit Insight From “Outside” Expertise And Prior Experience

• Cooperate With Legitimate Authorities• Be Patient Building Shared Solution Framework• Continue Feedback With Those Impacted Embed Problem Solving In “Truth”

(Even When Uncomfortable)

Elements Of A Discernment Process

Continually Sift and Winnow Decision Process Through Salient Moral/Values/Ethical Concerns

• Human Dignity• Common Good• Justice With Attention to Poor and Marginalized• Rights And Responsibilities• Individual/Professional/Organizational Values• Commitment To Those Served

• Congruence With Organizational Mission

Elements Of A Discernment Process

Returning Over And Over To Shared Reflection And Prayer Sensitive To Consolation And Desolation• Informed By Scripture And Wisdom Sources• Remaining Open Sharing Spiritual Reflection as a Group Discipline• Avoiding Undue Haste

(Emptiness, Indifference, Beginners Mind)

What would be the more noble path?Are we willing to step outside prior preferences?How are we being spoken to through people, events,

authority?

The Bhgavad Gita

With your heart intent on me, discipline yourself with spiritual practice.

Depend on me completely.

Listen and I will dispel all your confusion.

Key Distinction

Without shared prayer, meditation/ contemplative practice, reference to scripture, and attention to values a group decision process IS NOT discernment.

Elements Of A Discernment Process

Flexible Implementation With Attention to Double Loop Learning

• Testing For “Fruits Of Spirit” As Well As Performance Indicators

• Sustaining Courage and Hopefulness But Allowing For Possible Withdrawal

Elements Of A Discernment Process

Follow-Up And Review

Was the Decision Properly Arrived At?• Was Decision Well Implemented?• What Have We Learned That Informs Other Endeavors?

Accepting The Empirical Risks Associated With Innovation and the Possibility of Failure

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Closing Caveats: Discernment As Mystery

– God Is Mystery; Love And Trust Are Required

– Outcome Is Directional, Not Specific

– Does Not Eliminate Uncertainty Or Suffering

– Experience the Paradox of Humility and Greatness

We Do Not Become Seers Or Prognosticators

Outcomes Are Not Guaranteed