I just finished the first course (my graduation is Tuesday).
FACTS
1. No limitation on bathroom breaks. People came and went as they'd like. The course leaders didn't know where the students were going. and there was NO EFFORT made to limit this. some people just left and didn't come back for hours. AFAIK, no one was chastised for this and I observed a Leader catching someone up who had missed part/all of the previous day.
2. There were sellling the next package up. There was effectively group pressure (who wants to walk out during that) to watch it (about 2-3h of it in the first 3 days).
It seems that there are really several questions:
1. Is the course worth the resources (time and money)?
(this is all that really matters to me). YES, for me, I suspect for many.
2. Is the course manipulative or "mind controlling" to the degree it impacts #1. (Maybe it gets you to do something you don't really want to do, ec.)?
Some of this happens on a very subtle level. Not not enough to diminish #2. Makes me suspect of #3, #4.
3. Is being a participating member of the organization going to improve your life?
Unclear.
4. Is it an authentic organization (to use their words) : does it do what it claims to represent?
Unclear.
1. Its a bit too soon to say, but it seems like it's worth the time and resources. (Most of it was fluff, for me. Didn't add value, confused me, etc, but less so than 16 years of schooling. So it's doing better than average :). It's given me some good tools to look at my motivations for interactions (what they call Rackets). Example: avoiding asking someone to lunch or "hemming and hawing" with an akward offer. This is out of fear of rejection. And it costs me the opportunity for a nice discussion/lunch. Once I realize that I'm able to be much much more direct. I make an offer (hey, want to have lunch). It's more direct, less loaded with MY BAGGAGE, and actually more successful. Win, win, win.
2. Is ti manipulative or mind controlling.
There is definitely some "deception" going on. There are times what the deliberatly do things for effect. Example: they are big on "be back on time. your word is your bond". A valid point. I'm not very punctual. This was illuminating to me. I was always on time b/c I CHOSE to be. I suggested they put the return time on the board (b/c it was often nonround time b/e we might stop at 12:34 and have 15m so it's return at 12:54. hard to remember. The response I got was "we want you to remember the time. Maybe we don't want to provide a crutch. what do you think?" (Ironically, they then started posting signs (but NOT on the board, in the bathroom) "return time: xyz". I found this amusing. Was it what they call a "racket"? (didn't want to admit they hadn't thought of it.
BTW, I just realize my big issue:
I want to know I can trust these folks. So.... when I see them doing something Inauthentic I want to call them on it. And (usually) not to be "smart" but I want to give them a chance to show me "nope, wasn't being authentic" or "yep, I was, but I'm going to fess up".
Now, the reality, this "can i trust them" doesn't impact on #1. I can get something out of it even if I can't trust them. I trust me.
I did not find the manipulation (it was minor) to impact on #1. It might impact on #3 or #4.
3. would participating in the group (as a volunteer, etc.) improve my life.
Unclear. I need to practice it a bit.
They gently and ENTHUSIASTICALLY promote assisting as a way to learn more. Valid point. And they address all objections very skillfully.
I was tempted to say "well, they are trying to maintain momentum by getting me to think of the next commitment". But they would admit this is rationalizing. And they'd be right. The real issue is I am afraid of assisting b/c it may be a waste of time or I may be bow to peer pressure. And there is subtle but definite group think going on.
4. This is unclear
If they were truly authentic they'd include "oh, there is 3 hours of where you'll FEEL like a captive audience, where we'll extol the benefits of Landmark and more training.) Now, they'd be the first ones to say "don't bow to peer pressure" and no one was every called out for leaving the room.
They WERE authentic about the Tuesday night graduation where they strongly encourage you to invite a family member. "we'll watch a (I think 20 minute video". Bravo for being authentic.
I just finished the first course (my graduation is Tuesday).
FACTS
1. No limitation on bathroom breaks. People came and went as they'd like. The course leaders didn't know where the students were going. and there was NO EFFORT made to limit this. some people just left and didn't come back for hours. AFAIK, no one was chastised for this and I observed a Leader catching someone up who had missed part/all of the previous day.
2. There were sellling the next package up. There was effectively group pressure (who wants to walk out during that) to watch it (about 2-3h of it in the first 3 days).
It seems that there are really several questions:
1. Is the course worth the resources (time and money)?
(this is all that really matters to me). YES, for me, I suspect for many.
2. Is the course manipulative or "mind controlling" to the degree it impacts #1. (Maybe it gets you to do something you don't really want to do, ec.)?
Some of this happens on a very subtle level. Not not enough to diminish #2. Makes me suspect of #3, #4.
3. Is being a participating member of the organization going to improve your life?
Unclear.
4. Is it an authentic organization (to use their words) : does it do what it claims to represent?
Unclear.
1. Its a bit too soon to say, but it seems like it's worth the time and resources. (Most of it was fluff, for me. Didn't add value, confused me, etc, but less so than 16 years of schooling. So it's doing better than average :). It's given me some good tools to look at my motivations for interactions (what they call Rackets). Example: avoiding asking someone to lunch or "hemming and hawing" with an akward offer. This is out of fear of rejection. And it costs me the opportunity for a nice discussion/lunch. Once I realize that I'm able to be much much more direct. I make an offer (hey, want to have lunch). It's more direct, less loaded with MY BAGGAGE, and actually more successful. Win, win, win.
2. Is ti manipulative or mind controlling.
There is definitely some "deception" going on. There are times what the deliberatly do things for effect. Example: they are big on "be back on time. your word is your bond". A valid point. I'm not very punctual. This was illuminating to me. I was always on time b/c I CHOSE to be. I suggested they put the return time on the board (b/c it was often nonround time b/e we might stop at 12:34 and have 15m so it's return at 12:54. hard to remember. The response I got was "we want you to remember the time. Maybe we don't want to provide a crutch. what do you think?" (Ironically, they then started posting signs (but NOT on the board, in the bathroom) "return time: xyz". I found this amusing. Was it what they call a "racket"? (didn't want to admit they hadn't thought of it.
BTW, I just realize my big issue:
I want to know I can trust these folks. So.... when I see them doing something Inauthentic I want to call them on it. And (usually) not to be "smart" but I want to give them a chance to show me "nope, wasn't being authentic" or "yep, I was, but I'm going to fess up".
Now, the reality, this "can i trust them" doesn't impact on #1. I can get something out of it even if I can't trust them. I trust me.
I did not find the manipulation (it was minor) to impact on #1. It might impact on #3 or #4.
3. would participating in the group (as a volunteer, etc.) improve my life.
Unclear. I need to practice it a bit.
They gently and ENTHUSIASTICALLY promote assisting as a way to learn more. Valid point. And they address all objections very skillfully.
I was tempted to say "well, they are trying to maintain momentum by getting me to think of the next commitment". But they would admit this is rationalizing. And they'd be right. The real issue is I am afraid of assisting b/c it may be a waste of time or I may be bow to peer pressure. And there is subtle but definite group think going on.
4. This is unclear
If they were truly authentic they'd include "oh, there is 3 hours of where you'll FEEL like a captive audience, where we'll extol the benefits of Landmark and more training.) Now, they'd be the first ones to say "don't bow to peer pressure" and no one was every called out for leaving the room.
They WERE authentic about the Tuesday night graduation where they strongly encourage you to invite a family member. "we'll watch a (I think 20 minute video". Bravo for being authentic.