IDM Publications: Papers & Lectures by Dr. Otto Laske

These free downloadable papers are a subset of articles written by O. Laske & other authors in the field of human adult development.

• The Rebounding of Dialectical Thinking in Turbulent Times

In this paper dedicated to IDM program graduates and future students, Otto Laske reflects on the journey that led him to the Constructive Developmental Framework (CDF) as taught at IDM.

• Introduction to Measuring Hidden Dimensions of Human Systems - Foundations of Requisite Organization (Volume II book excerpt)

This 25 page PDF comprises the Introduction to Volume 2 (2009) and also includes the table of contents of the book. It states the purpose of the book and the 7 principles of human capital management on which the book is based. In essence, the text shows that the so-called “intangible assets” of organizations can be measured by way of developmental assessment tools. The book presents a decision theory of human resources according to which talent management and strategy design are inseparable.

• On the Autonomy and Influence of the Cognitive Developmental Line: Reflections on Adult Cognitive Development Peaking in Dialectical Thinking 2010 presentation to ITC Annual Conference

I explore the history, theory, tools and benefits of dialectical thinking, a way of thinking adults grow into to different degrees after mastering formal logic, with the goal to show that dialectical thinking is a natural outcome of adult cognitive development, and is learnable. I detail the reverberations of the dialectical tradition in developmental psychology and introduce a set of hypotheses as to the nature of dialecticism. My outline is based on the notion of Four Quadrants of Dialectic (Laske, 2009) each of which is associated in human thinking with a particular “class of thought forms”, or ways of making sense (rather than meaning) of the world.

• An Evidence-Based approach to Measuring, Managing and Supporting Work in Organizations

English translation of Dr. Otto Laske's introduction to articles about the Constructive Developmental Framework (CDF) in the monograph titled "Contributions to an Adult Developmentally Renewed Social Science" published by Pabst Science Publisher in Zeitschrift fur Wirtschaftpsychologie in 2010.

• Adult Developmental Action Learning (ADAL) for Leadership Education by Steven M. Esons

Action Learning is a coached group process used to resolve real-world organizational issues thorugh work in a diverse team composed of people using "good thinking". This paper explores ways to increase the effectiveness of Action Learning by integrating adult learning, adult development, and leadership theories within a new paradigm: ADAL.

• Business Leadership for an Evolving Planet: The Need for Transformational Thinking in Intercultural and International Environments

This paper discusses a new approach to leadership education based on studies in the development of adult thinking. It emphasizes the benefit of transformational thinking for creating cultures of collaboration, as well as the need for bridging the gap between Western and Asian thinking.

• An Integrated Model of Developmental Coaching Published in Consulting Psychology Journal 51(3), 1999

This article outlines a coaching paradigm derived from constructive-developmental psychology, family therapy supervision, and theories of organizational cognition. The paradigm is one of transformative, developmental coaching and thus it differs from both cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic approaches. The paradigm is exemplified by a model of the mental space (topology) in which executive coaching is thought to take place. The paradigm and the model are developmental in a twofold sense, that of “ontic” development occurring in cognitive organisms maturing over their lifetime (“nature”) and of “agentic” development brought about by humans (“nurture”). An introduction to the model is presented, followed by the topology of the mental space of coaching, a summary, and suggested topics for future research.

• The IDM Professional Development Program

• On the Unity of Behavioral and Developmental Perspectives in Coaching

The Constructive Developmental Framework (CDF) is a psychometric tool for coaching research, coaching practice, and for managing human capital. It is also a solid foundation for educating evidence-based coaches and establishing entire organizational coaching programs.

• Contributions of evidence-based developmental coaching to coaching psychology

This article summarizes the contributions of the CDF-based coaching developed at IDM to coaching psychology, distinguishing between methodological and content contributions.

• Mentoring a behavioral coach in thinking developmentally

This article consists of a dialog between a developmental and a behavioral coach in which developmental coaching is explained and demonstrated by way of examples.

• Unused Human Potential in Organizations - Schweizer Interview

2007 Otto Laske interview (in German text) by J. Schläpfer for KPMG International, Switzerland

• Leadership as something we are rather than have

This article formulates and demonstrates the hypothesis that leadership and capability level are identical, and that measuring leadership behaviorally is as insufficient as is talking about it in developmental terms just “waving your hands” (i.e., without using actual assessments).

• From coach training to coach education

This article outlines the philosophy and structure of the IDM Certificate Program.

• Why does your maturity matter?

This article is an informal introduction to why thinking developmentally in coaching is of central importance in practical and ethical terms.

See our Presentations page for more articles and presentations by Dr. Otto Laske and selected authors.