The Enthusiasm-Skepticism Sequencing Principle
New proposals generate enthusiasm among supporters and skepticism among doubters. The enthusiasm-skepticism sequencing principle holds that these responses should be sequenced rather than simultaneous: first, understand the proposal in its best light, giving it the fullest possible exploration; then, subject it to rigorous critique. Sequencing prevents the premature dismissal that occurs when skepticism arrives before understanding is complete.
Simultaneous enthusiasm and skepticism produce shallow evaluation. Supporters defend before understanding; doubters attack before comprehending. The resulting debate generates heat without light. Sequencing creates space for genuine understanding before evaluation begins, ensuring that critique addresses what was actually proposed rather than what critics assumed was proposed.
Implementing this principle requires discipline in group process. For those developing effective professional development strategies, the sequencing principle improves the quality of proposal evaluation by ensuring that scrutiny is applied to fully understood proposals rather than to caricatures of them. Our sequencing framework provides process guidance.
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