The Oxford Dictionary definition of the word is below:
Definition of consultation in English
consultation
Pronunciation: /kɒnsəlˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
Translate consultation | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish [ mass noun]
Here's a link to the page if you don't believe me: Click Here!
My initial understanding of what "consultation" means is this:
Somebody in management has a new idea that affects everyone so they ask for feedback on the aforesaid idea. People give their feedback, including pointing out stuff that may not work and possibly suggesting improvements. Those in charge then reflect upon these suggestions and amend the new idea where necessary.
The result:
Everyone's feels "ownership" of the idea and it goes relatively well.
In "real life", what does "consultation" actually mean?
Somebody in management has a new idea that affects everyone. They ask for opinions on their new idea because they have to, sometimes by law. People offer suggested improvements. Management totally ignore the suggestions and do what they originally planned.
The result:
The new idea may have some merits, but the suggestions that would have made it a really good idea were ignored, so everyone abandons it as a bad lot all-round, or soldiers on regardless of the consequences, neither of which help anyone.
The problem with consultation from a management point of view however is that people just tend to pick holes in a new idea; the fear of change is a major issue. The trouble is that change is almost always required if you want to move things forward. My gripe with how most "consultation" pans out is that when genuine feedback (ie. that which suggests genuine workable solutions) is almost exclusively ignored. So why bother consulting?
Nothing regarding "consultation" will change though and those affected by the decisions made at management level will feel even more disenfranchised. The argument that if you want your say, then move into management is a tricky one in teaching in that the higher up the food chain you are, the less you teach, which was the original reason for entering the profession in the first place.
Oh well, put up and shut up I suppose.
noun
Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin consultatio(n-), from the verb consultare (see consult)Here's a link to the page if you don't believe me: Click Here!
My initial understanding of what "consultation" means is this:
Somebody in management has a new idea that affects everyone so they ask for feedback on the aforesaid idea. People give their feedback, including pointing out stuff that may not work and possibly suggesting improvements. Those in charge then reflect upon these suggestions and amend the new idea where necessary.
The result:
Everyone's feels "ownership" of the idea and it goes relatively well.
In "real life", what does "consultation" actually mean?
Somebody in management has a new idea that affects everyone. They ask for opinions on their new idea because they have to, sometimes by law. People offer suggested improvements. Management totally ignore the suggestions and do what they originally planned.
The result:
The new idea may have some merits, but the suggestions that would have made it a really good idea were ignored, so everyone abandons it as a bad lot all-round, or soldiers on regardless of the consequences, neither of which help anyone.
The problem with consultation from a management point of view however is that people just tend to pick holes in a new idea; the fear of change is a major issue. The trouble is that change is almost always required if you want to move things forward. My gripe with how most "consultation" pans out is that when genuine feedback (ie. that which suggests genuine workable solutions) is almost exclusively ignored. So why bother consulting?
Nothing regarding "consultation" will change though and those affected by the decisions made at management level will feel even more disenfranchised. The argument that if you want your say, then move into management is a tricky one in teaching in that the higher up the food chain you are, the less you teach, which was the original reason for entering the profession in the first place.
Oh well, put up and shut up I suppose.
No comments:
Post a Comment