After Action Review Basic Class 2

Session Summary

Practical 2 focused on one of the central principles of S:DISS-X: helping becomes more effective when the helper listens for importance before attempting interpretation, explanation, or problem solving. Throughout the session, Mike revisited themes from Practical 1 while introducing a deeper understanding of IMULL, fit, problem finding, and the principle that “the form chooses you.”

The session began with a review of After Action Review feedback from Practical 1. Mike emphasized that the program is intentionally evolving through student feedback and that the AAR process is being used to continuously improve learning materials, examples, and explanations. Several suggestions from students were discussed, including the creation of a visual IMULL diagram and the need for more examples demonstrating how inquiry forms emerge naturally through listening.

A major theme involved understanding why some problems disappear while others persist. Mike explained that many helping efforts focus on symptoms rather than causes. When helpers work only with symptoms, they often create cycles of recurring problems, resulting in superficial solutions. The goal of developmental helping is not simply to solve problems but to discover what would make the problem disappear entirely.

The practical also explored IMULL in greater detail. Importance, Motivation, Urgency, Leverage, and Low-hanging Fruit were presented as practical tools for prioritization. Mike explained that people have limited My Team Resources—Money, Information, Time, Energy, Attention, and Motivation—so helping requires careful attention to what matters most and what creates the greatest leverage. A small action with high leverage may create multiple benefits, while low-hanging fruit helps people get started through manageable steps.

The live demonstration centered on a brief exchange with ChatGPT. Mike opened with “Anything important today?” and then selectively responded using the word “Simple” after the AI introduced it. Rather than introducing interpretation, he stayed inside the existing context. This became an example of PROBE rather than PING because the inquiry remained connected to what had already emerged. Through this example, students were shown how inquiry forms often emerge naturally from attentive listening.

Another important concept introduced was fit. Mike explained that many recurring problems are actually mismatches between task complexity and a person’s potential, CAPACITY, and capability (pCc). When a task exceeds current capability, the solution may involve reducing complexity, increasing support, or breaking the task into smaller steps rather than simply trying harder.

The session concluded by reinforcing beginner’s mind, selective listening, and developmental helping. Rather than forcing solutions, helpers learn to notice patterns, test assumptions, and allow inquiry forms to emerge naturally from what the person reveals.

Full Demo Exchange

What Happened

The practical combined review, concept clarification, and a short live demonstration.

Mike first reviewed feedback from Practical 1 and discussed improvements being made to the learning materials. He then expanded on IMULL, explaining how importance, leverage, and low-hanging fruit help prioritize action when My Team Resources are limited.

The session moved into a brief live inquiry example using ChatGPT. The exercise demonstrated how a helper can remain within the person’s language rather than introducing interpretation. Through a simple exchange, students observed how PROBE emerged naturally from attentive listening.

The discussion then broadened into developmental helping, task complexity, pCc, and fit. Mike explained that recurring problems often reflect mismatches between task demands and capability. Helping therefore requires attention not only to the problem itself but also to the person’s readiness, resources, and ability to engage the challenge successfully.

S:DISS-X Forms Observed

IMULL Score

Overall IMULL Read

4.6 / 5

Importance, leverage, and low-hanging fruit were strongly reinforced throughout the practical.

RightACTION Note

The RightACTION in this session was not solving a problem but improving fit between inquiry and context.

By remaining inside the person’s language and resisting interpretation, the helper increases the likelihood of discovering what is actually important. This creates better conditions for future action and reduces the risk of working on symptoms rather than causes.

The practical reinforced that RightACTION often begins with noticing, listening, and understanding before moving toward intervention.

TPOVs Surfaced

Reinforced TPOVs

New or Candidate TPOVs

Advanced TPOVs Mentioned

Suggestions for Improvement

• Add more beginner examples showing PING versus PROBE.
• Include a visual diagram showing how IMULL supports prioritization.
• Provide a graphic illustrating “The Form Chooses You.”
• Add a simple symptom-versus-cause comparison exercise.
• Use additional real-world helping examples.
• Clarify the relationship between pCc and fit.
• Reduce advanced developmental terminology during beginner sessions.
• Include more examples of leverage and low-hanging fruit.
• Continue using short live demonstrations followed by debriefs.

APC Source Candidate Notes

Candidate Source Title

Importance Before Interpretation

Source Type

S:DISS-X Practice Vignette / Foundational TPOV

Canonical Definition

Importance Before Interpretation is the helping principle that encourages the helper to discover what matters before attempting explanation, diagnosis, analysis, or advice.

Why It Matters

Many helping interactions become distorted when helpers interpret too quickly. By beginning with importance, the helper remains closer to the person’s lived experience and reduces the risk of solving the wrong problem.

The principle supports selective inquiry, better fit, stronger listening, and more effective movement toward RightACTION.

Do Not Collapse With

Do not collapse this with passivity, avoidance, or refusing to think critically. The principle does not eliminate interpretation. It simply delays interpretation until enough context exists to make interpretation useful and appropriate.