How Language Shapes the World: A New Model Providing Actionable Access to the Source of Performance (PDF File of Powerpoint Slides)

Abstract

“The committee is therefore unable to draw conclusions, based on scientific evidence, on what does or does not work to enhance organizational performance.” Committee on Techniques for the Enhancement of Human Performance of the U.S.National Research Council Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (Druckman et al. 1997)
The current model of performance, while having produced many improvements in performance during its 100 year reign, has been essentially exhausted leaving in its wake little more than a labyrinth of explanations for human performance.
Our new model of performance, rather than adding more explanations for why people do what they do and why they don’t do what they don’t do, provides actionable access to the source of performance. The source of performance 'as lived' (as contrasted with described from a third person perspective and then explained from that perspective) is that action is naturally, necessarily closely connected (mutually arising) with the way what one is dealing with occurs (shows up) for one. And, the way in which what one is dealing with occurs for one is accessable through language. This actionable access to the source of performance opens up a new realm of opportunity for study and research, and for new and more effective interventions, applications, and practices for improving individual, group, and organizational performance.
In short, language gives one access to the way in which what one is dealing with occurs for one, with which action (and therefore performance) is naturally, necessarily closely connected (mutually arising).

Keywords: performance, model, source