Chris Argyris Quotes & Sayings

Individual learning is a necessary but insufficient condition for organizational learning. — Chris Argyris

One must treat theory-in-use as both a psychological certainty and an intellectual hypothesis. — Chris Argyris

Most people define learning too narrowly as mere 'problem-solving', so they focus on identifying and correcting errors in the external environment. Solving problems is important. But if learning is to persist, managers and employees must also look inward. The need to reflect critically on their own behaviour, identify the ways they often inadvertently contribute to the organisation's problems, and then change how they act. — Chris Argyris

Smart people don't learn ... because they have too much invested in proving what they know and avoiding being seen as not knowing. — Chris Argyris

In fact, people themselves are responsible for making the status quo so resistant to change. We are trapped by our own behavior. — Chris Argyris

Success in the marketplace increasingly depends on learning. Yet most people don't know how to learn. — Chris Argyris

people get trapped by using patterns of behavior to protect themselves against threats to their self-esteem and confidence and to protect groups, intergroups, and organizations to which they belong against fundamental, disruptive change. — Chris Argyris

Leadership is the day to day communications about the real issues. — Chris Argyris

Managers who are skilled communicators may also be good at covering up real problems. — Chris Argyris