Introduces the concepts of learning-centered leadership and leadership-mode intervention for making sense of, and intervening with, contentious problems. Identifies how the leadership mode differs from the management mode. Introduces the ARIES Framework for supporting leadership-mode intervention with contentious problems.

1. Making Sense of the Hidden Side
of Change:
the ARIES Framework
Presentation to
The Learner Conference, Hong Kong,
July 2010
Don Dunoon
New Futures Pty Ltd

2. Contentious problems
No established
procedures
Seen from a variety of
perspectives
Emotions tend to run
strongly
People may remain silent
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

3. (c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

4. A Definition of Learning-
centered Leadership
Learning-centered leadership involves
establishing current realities, clarifying
preferred futures (purpose and vision), and
eliciting energy for change.
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

5. Defining leadership-mode
action
We act in the leadership mode when we
intervene relationally towards building
shared meaning in the context of efforts to
achieve deep-reaching change with a
contentious problem.
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

6. Intervention in the
management mode:
3 characteristics
The focus is on the explicit (observable,
measurable) aspects of the problem
Task attainment is prior to working
relationally in the particular instance
We rely on whatever
authority we hold
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

7. (c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

8. (c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

9. Three Guidelines for
accessing the hidden side of
change
Work from observation
Attribute reasonableness
Seek to act authentically
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

10. The ARIES Framework –
practices and tools for leadership-mode
intervention – and especially for delving into
the hidden domain safely
Attending
Reflecting
Inquiring
Expressing
Synthesizing
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

11. Attending
Different from “paying
attention” -
concentrating to
achieve our own
objectives
Putting the pursuit of
awareness ahead of the
achievement of tasks in a
particular circumstance
Giving full attention
Perceiving holistically
Separating observation
from inference
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

12. Reflecting
Recognizing and contemplating different
perspectives, as a basis for testing our
interpretations regarding a contentious problem
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

13. Inquiring
Different from questioning
in the Management Mode
– to reveal a correct or
best solution
Asking questions relationally to
build shared meaning with
contentious problems
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

14. Question-type framework
Checking Verifying understandings
Gathering &
Clarifying
Seeking more information &/or
clarifying meanings
Exploring Delving into underlying
assumptions, interests, feelings
and knowledge
Testing Scrutinising claims and examining
inferences
Futuring Seeking to clarify desired and
possible futures
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

15. Expressing
Different from
advocating to win
Voicing one’s thoughts
and feelings relationally,
to build shared meaning
on a contentious problem
and contribute to creating
a context for change
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

16. Expressing framework
Introducing Describe the context
Preview the content
Establish your purpose and stance
Asserting &
Supporting
Put forward the main propositions &
arguments/evidence
Illuminating Offer illustrations, stories and/or
examples
Disclosing Name and describe your previously
unspoken assumptions, interests,
feelings and/or knowledge
Inviting Create opportunities for others to
engage with you on specific aspects
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

17. Synthesizing
Not simply judging,
evaluating,
summarizing, or
pronouncing a view
Involves integrating diverse
perspectives to bring forth
fresh understandings of
current realities and of a
preferred future with the
problem overcome
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

18. The Transformational
Challenge
From Description of current situation, reflecting a
range of stakeholder perspectives
To A preferred future – described in a way that
can be held out for testing
A statement that frames a description of
current reality with that of a preferred future,
so that the essence of the movement between
the two states is made clear
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

19. (c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd

20. Thank you!
Don Dunoon
New Futures Pty Ltd, Sydney
Leadership coaching, executive team
coaching, and skills development workshops
– face-to-face and online.
www.dondunoon.com
(The materials in this slideshow are intended for
individual study and are not to be used for commercial
purposes, without explicit permission. Please contact Don
Dunoon regarding permissions requests, via the contact
form on this website.)
(c) Don Dunoon/New Futures Pty Ltd