Provocative?
I had initially found myself distressed over Dr. Ramsey’s article on “Provocative Theory and a Scholarship of Practice”; the scholarly language was making the meaning difficult for me discern. Yet with the encouragement of my cohort, I read it with a British accent and that cleared it up perfectly. On a serious note, why choose the word ‘provocative’? It can mean “causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction especially deliberately”[1] and the secondary meaning has to do with “arousing sexual desire”[2] and I’m pretty sure that that was not what she was intending. So I go into this asking: ‘how this theory would deliberately cause strong reactions?’
From the context of the article I can see a theory of praxis that’s designed to stimulate learning between the management theory scholars and management practitioners. A conversation between theory and practice that assumes that practitioners are well suited to adjust or adapt theory that works best in their context. Dr. Ramsey gave two case studies of postgraduate student managers (Mike and Kieran) who put the theory to practice, and from their experience we learn the three foundational values of this theory, a theory of managerial empowerment. First there is a conversation between academic theory and actionable; in referring to Mike and Kieran, Ramsey writes they “danced, played with …the academic material”[3] and the movement of that dance was towards making the conceptual and academic thought – actionable. Second, is the praxis method or a cycle of experience, reflection, adjustment and further experience; thus coming up with new ideas (or theory) customized for their specific work environments. And third it’s a collaborative and conversational implementation; within said workplaces where the manger is projecting his or her evolving theory onto his colleagues, whom in turn give real-time feedback and improvement.
The case studies were very helpful and I especially resonated with Mike’s consulting with the ward sisters to strengthen their leadership skills. Mike used the metaphor of the ‘Venetian polyphonic ensemble’ as a way to rethink the typical hierarchical management structure that had limited the engagement and ownership of the ward nurses in their workplace. “Mike positioned himself as a Maestro di Cappella in accepting and promoting the creative input of the ward sisters”,[4] the article goes on to explain how the Venetian ensemble differs from the modern day composer, not a leader out front conducting, but a musician who participates with and allows the group to create new actions. Mike’s example stressed that managers can lead while being collaborators, while leveraging the creative energies of the whole group.
This is where the light bulb clicked on in my mind. I pastor a small church where my office manager and myself are the only full time employees; we have a great volunteer youth pastor as well as a children’s minister and worship arts director whom are both employed at 10 hours a week. In the back of my mind I’ve been bemoaning the fact that with part-time and volunteer ministry leaders we don’t have the collaboration nor momentum I’ve always wanted and believed would help propel our church forward. As I read Mike’s example, I realized that I needed a different posture with my staff and with my key volunteer ministry leaders. I’ve fallen into the old mindset of pastor as CEO, pastor-offering directives for staff and leaders to follow, traditional hierarchical thinking. What the provocative theory reminds me is that I have much to offer as lead collaborator, I can facilitate the ministry leader’s engagement. Instead of primarily directing, we can primarily learn and collaborate together, and their greater engagement will lead to iterative improvement of the life and ministry of the church. My leadership goes from ‘directive’ to ‘projective’. That’s helpful to me, but is it ‘provocative’?
I’m at the end of the post and I still don’t know why Dr. Ramsey calls this ‘provocative theory’? I imagine among scholars that any theory that stresses practical usefulness over theoretical purity might be provocative. The more I think about it, it just seems like common sense, has common sense become provocative?
[1] New Oxford American Dictionary., 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010), ‘provocative’.
[2] Ibid,.
[3] Ramsey, Caroline (2011). Provocative theory and a scholarship of practice. Management Learning, 42(5), pp.469-483
[4] Ibid,.
About the Author
Dave Young
husband, dad, friend, student of culture and a pastor.15 responses to “Provocative?”
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Dave, I’m trying to become a “learning provocateur”, stimulating people to open their eyes and ears to new learning generated within their local leadership contexts. Learning doesn’t have to happen exclusively within the ivory towers of academia…
The section in the article where Ramsey recounts how “Mike” was impacted by a scholarly article written by Frank Barrett is helpful. In the article, Barrett likens adaptive leadership to an improv jazz trio where each member plays off each other to create new, unique music “in the moment.” Where the “provocative” piece comes in is that Mike did not just take Barrett’s principles of adaptive leadership and apply them to his context as if it were some new piece of knowledge. In fact, he didn’t even reference it beyond an initial mention but the idea provoked him to “A different line of exploration” (Ramsey 9) which culminated in his analogy of the Venetian polyphonic ensemble. Once he embraced that idea, new vistas of potential began to unfold naturally for the group with which he was consulting.
J
Jon, That helps me understand provocative. The Jazz trio article created a strong reaction in Mike and thats what lead him to think about his own Venetian polyphonic point of reference. Now I get it. I just wasn’t seeing the connection to provocative before. I appreciate it. It also worked in my own reading of mike’s story and how I applied it to my own situation… good stuff.
Jon,
Since it is good when people are provoked to action by a sermon, maybe we should start preaching more provocative sermons. Just a thought. ; )
Brian,
Healthy conflict is a good thing – provocative thought breeds innovation.:)
And then get fired 🙂
Brian, maybe a new haircut might be considered provocative to all the ladies in the house?
J
Dave,
The use of the word “provocative” also stuck out to me. I downloaded the article on the computer and set an email of it to my tablet to read. In the subject, I put “Ramsey-Provocative”. As I share an email with my wife, I had to explained that I was not sending myself a provocative email about some lady named Ramsey.
I think the reason she used it is because it provokes action, thus it is provocative: “The interesting thing about taught content is the action it provokes (Ramsey, 2011a) and the way in which manager-learners relate ideas to their working context” (p16).
Of course, she’ll probably tell me on Monday that I am wrong, but I can at least pass the weekend thinking I understand her.
Brian and Dave, In the “provocative” writing, I gained great clarity when in one of the sentences the word “invitation” was used synonymously with “provoking.” The light bulb went on for me in that the provocative theory was a theory of invitation to learning and exploring vs. a pattern of rigid rote operating in any field, team, organization, or setting. It took a while . . . didn’t it? . . . but I think we all got it:).
Phil, if she asks for a definition on Monday I’m going to cut and paste yours. You better be quick – I might even take credit for it. 🙂 REally thanks “a theory of invitation to learning and exploring” is helpful.
Dave and Phil,
me too – I’m copying Phil’s definition. Something about holding provocative and invitation in the same sentence creates a posture of wonder in me.
Same here! So whoever has it cued up in their clipboard to paste the fastest gets credit for the definition!
I’ll paste in my mullet/pickup truck picture in first to distract you all, then WHAM! In goes the definition. “a theory of invitation to learning and exploring”
Now, maybe Phil is totally wrong and we’re all going to be embarrassed…
.
Dave,
Homerun ball here . . . “What the provocative theory reminds me is that I have much to offer as lead collaborator, I can facilitate the ministry leader’s engagement. Instead of primarily directing, we can primarily learn and collaborate together, and their greater engagement will lead to iterative improvement of the life and ministry of the church.” Well said! I think this really captures the opportunity through Caroline’s provocative theory and should make her proud that at least one of us “got it!” I really loved being able to dive deeply into two articles vs. plowing through large texts this week. And the two articles definitely required a deep dive:)!
Phil and Dave. And doesn’t this also resonate with the talk given by Patrick Marungu (sp?) while we were in Cape Town? He prefers trans-national LEARNING community over Short Term Mission Teams for much the same reason. Let’s learn together while working in real-time rather than one dispense knowledge from the ivory (American) towers to the other, lesser person…
Hmm
Continuity is cool
j
Dave,
I smile when I read your words. I get a picture of you looking out at a huge lake, knowing just how cold it really is. You put your toe in, reluctantly at first, then gradually at the coaxing of others, proceed further. And the lo and behold, you are immersed, baptized if you will, fully understanding (perhaps without understanding) the main point.
Your willingness to continue to learn, regardless of the obstacles, is a great example to me of what it means to be a pastor who truly learns and pastors and practices and provocatively invites others to do the same.
Dave,
I too pastor a small church. I have thought like you as well so its nothing strange. May big problem is trying to collaborate with church leaders who are not really interested in doing anything in the church. I have prayed to see if I am lacking in motivating them. But for some reason right when they get motivated about doing something they seem to disappear after doing it for awile. It is very frustrating at times. But through this i am realizing that God may have other plans for people. I believe when the right people come along it wont be so difficult. At least thats hoping!!!!!