Decision Making / 1 / 1.9

1.9 SUPERIOR INSIGHTS LEAD TO SUPERIOR LEARNING

Learning at individual and organisational levels, is critically important if we are to deal successfully with ‘wicked’ problems, such as complex, dynamic risk situations are. A fundamental proposition here is that superior insights lead to superior learning. This learning stems from situation awareness that, in turn, informs cycles of revision and development of our mental models, making them more robust and valid, that is, ‘double-loop’ learning from experience. Invoking these mental models, appropriately supported by analytical tools and data should lead to development of more effective policies, strategies, and decisions, and ongoing valid experiential learning. Organisational learning comes about through action research and action learning, and only after individual learning is enabled. The aim should be to develop mental agility with respect to what the future may bring, given the context of a complex dynamic world as revealed at Chapters 2 and 3. Unfortunately, there can be many barriers to learning and developing mental agility.