{"id":11516,"date":"2020-01-09T23:12:50","date_gmt":"2020-01-10T05:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/simple-math\/"},"modified":"2021-03-17T09:58:30","modified_gmt":"2021-03-17T14:58:30","slug":"simple-math","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/simple-math\/","title":{"rendered":"Simple Math?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the last 20 years, I\u2019ve been studying a science called axiology\u2014the measurement of value. There are several important concepts contained within this science. The first is an awareness of focus and clarity. Focus asks the question, \u201cWhat are you paying attention to?\u201d Clarity asks, \u201cHow well do you understand it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Each is a crucial concept. What if we are focused on something but don\u2019t understand it very well? It\u2019s like trying to improve my putting but never learning anything from each bad putt. Or understanding everything about putting mechanics\u2014that\u2019s focus \u2014yet never taking the time to apply it to my own putting. The two are critical to creating high performance and impact in anything.<\/p>\n

COMPOSITION VS. TRANSPOSITION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another valuable thing axiology teaches is the difference between composition and transposition.<\/p>\n

Composition happens whenever you take something, add to it, and make it even better or more useful or more valuable. Transposition occurs whenever you take something away and thereby make the thing less valuable.<\/p>\n

For example, I take several pieces of wood, add my skills as a carpenter (something I learned from my father and grandfather), and turn it into a case for a grandfather clock. This is an example of composition. The actions I took upon the wood created greater value.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, I take a chair and break off a leg for no other reason than to break off a leg. This would be an example of transposition. My actions upon the chair made it less valuable. Why? Because the chair will not be as easy to sit on, so it fulfills less of its purpose or concept. It is, if you will, less good.<\/p>\n

This idea applies in other areas, as well. What researchers have discovered is that, in general, people are more focused on transposition (which is negative) than composition (which is positive). We are more attracted to news stories, for example, that tear down than news stories that build up. We are more attracted to gossip than to praise.<\/p>\n

Our fall sports season is just over. Some of the teams and individuals we follow excelled, while others did not. What do you hear most often as people attempt to explain the reasons for a loss? Is the other team or individual praised for being better prepared, more strategic, in better shape, or better able to execute on a given day? Are they honored for their achievement? Or is the explanation filled with excuses and perhaps criticism of the opponent\u2014perhaps with hints of cheating\u2014or comments about the officiating? One is composition, the other transposition. Can you figure out which is which?<\/p>\n

APPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING<\/strong><\/p>\n

How does this apply to training and performance improvement? These two ideas help us realize where we will gain the most value as we coach and train. Do we spend more time \u201ccatching people doing things right\u201d (as Ken Blanchard would say) or tearing into them for what they\u2019ve done wrong? What is the value to be gained from criticizing or correcting someone in front of others rather than in private? And what would my motivation be for doing such a thing?<\/p>\n

Since I started writing Trainer Talk, I\u2019ve ended my article with the phrase, \u201cUntil next time\u2014 add value and make a difference.\u201d That phrase has its roots in the idea of composition versus transposition. I want to encourage us to look for and celebrate the good. I want to challenge us to solve problems, not complain about them. I want to equip us to build people up, rather than tear them down.<\/p>\n

What would the value be to you and the people you live with and work with if you spent just five minutes a day this next month focusing on what you could do to add value to the lives of people around you\u2014including those you train and coach?<\/p>\n

I\u2019d love to hear your thoughts. You can write me at Bob@CTTNewsletters.com<\/a>. If you\u2019d like to know more about the practical application of axiology, send me an e-mail with \u201cAxiology\u201d in the subject line.<\/p>\n

Until next time\u2014add value and make a difference!<\/p>\n

Bob Pike, CSP, CPLP FELLOW, CPAESpeakers Hall of Fame, is known as the \u201ctrainer\u2019s trainer.\u201d He is the author of more than 30 books, including \u201cCreative Training Techniques Handbook\u201d and his newest book, \u201cThe Expert\u2019s Guide to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) to Training.\u201d You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook using bobpikectt.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\n\tAxiology teaches us the difference between composition\u2014adding something to make a thing more valuable\u2014and transposition\u2014taking something away and thereby making the thing less valuable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[26],"class_list":{"0":"post-11516","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-magazine","7":"tag-trainer-talk","8":"magazine_issues-january-2020"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSimple Math?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/simple-math\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" 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