#favouritemodel No. 22 – 2nd order observation

A key assumption of systems theory is that each person, as an individual observer of their environment, forms a unique composite of WHAT they perceive with their senses. Together with thoughts, feelings, experiences and expectations, we create a construction of reality that we experience as reality.

We take these processes so much for granted that we rarely spontaneously “think along” with the possibility that “it could be completely different”. Our perception thus appears to us as a supposedly objective reality. Depending on how we talk to ourselves in an inner monologue, we either keep this reality stable or occasionally question it. The second-order observation model is helpful for such reflection.

This model takes up an insight by Humberto Maturana, who describes that everything that is said is said by an observer. Observation as such is therefore not objective, but always contains parts of the observer. With this in mind, the observation process itself becomes a very exciting object of observation. When we observe others as they observe us, we have the opportunity to learn something about their observation patterns and their perception of reality. This is because in a second-order observation, we broaden our view from the factual content of an observation (WHAT) to HOW the observed observer saw or did not see something.

Observing observations offers a broad field of learning. On the one hand, about ourselves, because this act can also be an observation that we can begin with some self-reflection. On the other hand, we can learn a lot about our fellow human beings by observing them and reflecting on them together and offer them opportunities for introspection.

For me personally as well as in my work with my clients, and not least as a management tool, second-order observation is a very powerful method for delving deeper into processes of reality construction. The following questions, for example, help with this:

What distinctions does the respective observer make?
What is the focus of the respective observer?
What is hidden?
How does this observation differ from my observation?
How does this observation differ from other observations?
What patterns of explanation do we learn from the observer about the observation?
What basic assumptions about themselves and the world do observers reveal?

This approach, in which we look at how differently realities are constructed, can be immensely helpful, especially when it comes to making one’s own and other people’s basic assumptions visible and thus workable. In my experience, working on basic assumptions is an essential success factor for development, change and transformation processes at both an individual and collective level. Because just as we individually construct our own reality, this process also takes place at the level of entire organizations. This is where collective convictions are developed and these can make a difference as to whether, for example, a change process is seen as necessary or not in the organization.

Even if the #favoritemodel 2nd order observation seems somewhat abstract at first glance, I can say from my experience that it is very worthwhile to engage with this approach, because self-knowledge lurks in reflecting on one’s own observations and a starting point for real change lurks in reflecting on the observations of others.

How does my #favoritemodel help you?

In addition to the high potential for self-awareness, second-order observation always helps me personally when we are working on supposedly unchangeable aspects of projects. This can be the case in coaching as well as in transformation processes.

Paying attention together to constructs, basic assumptions and beliefs helps to address them and thus also to change them if necessary. That’s why I listen particularly carefully when I come across phrases like:

That’s just the way it is…
Everyone knows that…
I have learned that…
Until now, it was the case that…
It was always important to us that…
We don’t have that…
Experience has shown that…

With a deep conviction that change is always possible for us and that our future does not consist of simply continuing our constructions of the past, I often experience that working together on our own observation patterns enables a new perspective and thus also unfolds new perspectives for change. Of course, this only describes my own construction of reality for dealing with this model and I invite you to make your own experiences and reflect on your constructions accordingly.

Feel free to write to me if you would like to discuss this. By e-mail or on LinkedIn.

Author

Marc Chmielewski
Managing Director