Gilchrist Institute Finds Fault with the Top-Down Model
BRONXVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 23, 2009 — The Fort Hood tragedy is an example of how critical information can be disregarded or overlooked. “Individuals within the military and the FBI had information that Major Nidal Hasan was flirting with radical Islam,” claims Dr. Robert J. Flower, Director of The Gilchrist Institute for the Achievement Sciences, an economic and political think tank. “But the structure of the information-gathering and decision-making systems prevented anyone from acting on this information effectively.”
Government investigators now show that the shooter was checked out by a Department of Defense investigator last year who found discussions with his Imam were of a “scholarly” nature. Yet, in response to the event and the shooter, the Imam stated, “He is a hero!”
“Clearly, something was overlooked: a fatal flaw in comprehension is evident,” says Dr. Flower. “It is the lack of objective, impartial focusing and insight that consistently enables disasters of this type to occur in America and Europe. While Government agencies are notoriously reactive to events, they are weak in proactive application.”
Dr. Flower continues, “We don’t need to entirely restructure the system; we need to better enable decision makers and promote principles for improving leadership and decision making.” The Gilchrist Institute has developed an organizational methodology called “Center Focusing” that facilitates information flow and provides a modified hierarchical totally involved model for decision making. “Basically, Center Focusing places the issue at the center of an Action Wheel that can incorporate both objective and subjective data sets,” says Dr. Flower. “In the example of Ft. Hood, it was not enough to cross Maj. Hasan off the list after a cursory look at the Imam. Center Focusing looks beyond the immediate details to include the broader picture – the potential downside of being wrong. When the possibility is some sort of terrorism, the issue needs to stay current and watched carefully.”
The Gilchrist Institute promotes Natural Intelligence, a system of multiple intelligences applicable to behavior, comprehension and the development of human potential. This powerful system was presented twice at the U.N. by Dr. Flower over 17 years ago and is recognized and applied all over the world.
ABOUT DR. ROBERT FLOWER
For 29 years, the Gilchrist Institute, under the direction of Dr. Robert J. Flower, has been conducting research and development on the Science of Achievement. Dr. Flower has authored three popular books on Natural Thinking and Intelligence and the Science of Achievement, published by The Gilchrist Institute: Decoding Potential, A Revolution in Understanding and Your Exceptional Mind. He also hosts a local television show, “The Public Advocate,” and a weekly internet feature, “The Master Pattern Report,” featuring investment, economic and political analysis.
For more information, call Marilyn Hall at (914) 779-6299 or email
Contact:
Robert J. Flower, Ph.D., Director
Marilyn Hall, Director of Communications
Gilchrist Institute for the Achievement Sciences
(914) 779-6299
Email:
http://www.gilchristforum.com
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