Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Enterprise Architecture and the Socratic Method for obtaining buy-in...
One of the biggest problems in large enterprises is when people don't know how to talk to each other. We can easily fall into the trap of developing a style that we don't think about and that has effects we do not see...
One technique I frequently use (and forget to use) is the Socratic method. Instead of directly attacking people with your brilliant criticisms, ask leading questions so that people might come to understand the problem and any holes in their analysis. You may learn something. This strategy takes mature ego and patience.
Something interesting about this method: because you are asking questions, the other members of the conversation will have the opportunity to fill in gaps that you might be missing.
| | View blog reactionsOne technique I frequently use (and forget to use) is the Socratic method. Instead of directly attacking people with your brilliant criticisms, ask leading questions so that people might come to understand the problem and any holes in their analysis. You may learn something. This strategy takes mature ego and patience.
Something interesting about this method: because you are asking questions, the other members of the conversation will have the opportunity to fill in gaps that you might be missing.
