Justin Zamora Remember your role. Who is in focus? Be careful not to make these business people feel stupid. I have worked a lot with process leadership and with guidance groups with business professionals. I have also worked with learning and assessment. To learn is to discover for oneself, and being the person to point out "wrong thinking" is quite a task. To whom is this important? Will it make a difference if they develop what you think is the right or non-contradicting thinking? If it is important, remember that the relation is your first priority. Remember that, at best, as rule of thumb, a person needs three parts praise to be able to handle one part criticism. Some will argue the ratio is more ten to one. If you get there, and the atmosphere for reflection is established, I have often found questions like: I feel like the positions presented are contradicting, could someone give me an example so I can understand it better? The power of asking for an example often brings about reflection in the group. You are not first and foremost pointing out wrong thinking here, you are saying you don't understand and need help to understand better. Good luck and be careful.

The theory must be useful and helpful for the professionals. Many academics do not have practical work experience, and they push theory just for the sake of theory. The professionals have lots of work experience, and if the theory is not relevant to them, they will reject the theories. My recommendation is that PLEASE make the theory relevant to the daily work of the professionals.

Dear Justin Zamora,

Your question is "I have been asked to give a presentation on this process -- thinking in theoretical terms, understanding one's theoretical lens, and so forth".

My take (Link to open & proceed):

Being practicing psychiatrist & psychotherapist I often deal with such situations, difference in your & that of mine is, your are an observer at present & I'm an established expert. So I think degree of resistance to accept theoretical concepts from you or from me differs, like resistance for me is mostly 'subtle' & for you it could be 'overt/obvious'. But resistance to accept or resistance to change one's own thoughts is found everywhere. Is it not okay?

I declare my stand first saying that their views or point of views if differ from theoretical terms then I myself respect and may at times accept their views, but world or renowned experts may not. Why? Because their 'suggestions or recommendations cannot rule out of possibility of being personal or subjective suggestions'. And personal views cannot be applied universally. Is it not?

So what do one does? Do you want your recommendations to be accepted universally & unanimously?

If you really do, then you got to "change" something.

But you may not be willing to 'change', because no one wants to change. Am i correct? What do think sir? (pointing out some one, gentle looking person).

Now, may be, some of you may rethink tomorrow, and if someone does then, here is an idea or suggestion, not really my own, but stalwarts/my Guru/Holy teacher (whatever you may choose to say) have often said so. Can I share it with you all?

Pause.

Do you want me go ahead & explain? How many among you really think so, let's see for fun. Would you mind? (Small pause to watch reactions & face reading of audiences).

If you observe them listening or half listening, then start a discussion by throwing question to all or any specific person whom you find listening with interest. Question you may pose with like, "I want to understand what is real meaning of learning, de-learning & re-learning?". Make this discussion live and interactive with the help of soft skills of communication and leadership you have acquired till now.

I am sure you must have. What do you think? -------

Dear justin, this is a link I thought of putting in front of you. I am sure you will complete it further.

Principle: Without strong base of theory no practical or physical endeavor can succeed. Many people say, 'practical experience & theoretical explanation differ a lot', is a MYTH. BEWARE of it.

sorry for dribbling this message a bit long. Hope my take make some sound sense to you and simplify your process of presentation.

Offer me you critical feedback if you have one. It will really help me.

Thanks, good luck.

People make suggestions and think from different perspectives with different assumptions. It may look contradictory to you but maybe the participants do not see it that way. Perhaps it would be useful to have a discussion and present what you think are the "contradictions" and see whether they agree, and then think of ways to "resolve" the contradictions.

Help them to be happy, healthy and strong. No need to teach them how to think. Happy, healthy and strong people naturally think in a positive and productive way.