Introduction to S:DISS-X BASICS
Helping is not the same as solving.
That distinction is becoming more important every day.
As we prepare the S:DISS-X Basic Practical work at LeadU, I’m seeing more clearly why basic does not mean simple-minded. Basic means grounded.
At the basic level, we are working in the L9–L11 range of hierarchical complexity:
L9: See the move.
L10: Recognize the pattern.
L11: Choose the form under simple conditions.
That matters because most helping breaks down before the “big theory” ever arrives.
We move too fast.
We interpret too soon.
We ask questions that lead the person before we know where they are.
We give advice that sounds good but cannot be carried.
That is why S:DISS-X begins with selectivity.
S:DISS-X is the selective use of seven forms of inquiry:
PING, PROBE, PROMPT, PERMIT, PERTURB, PAUSE, and PACE.
They are not “the seven skills.” Skills develop from practicing the forms.
For basic practice, we also need a few critical tools from the LeadU APC framework:
IMULL helps us notice Importance, Motivation, Urgency, Leverage, and Low-hanging fruit.
pCc helps us check potential, CAPACITY, and capability.
RWAF helps us ask whether the person is Ready, Willing, Able, and Fit.
MITEAM reminds us that every action uses Money, Information, Time, Energy, Attention, and Motivation.
And RightACTION reminds us that the goal is not just action.
It is the fitting next move under real conditions.
The deeper point is this:
Good helping does not take over the person’s problem.
It helps the person find the problem they can actually work with, at the level they can actually carry, in the conditions they are actually facing.
That is where basic training must begin.
Not with clever questions.
Not with advice.
Not with performance.
But with learning to see the move, recognize the pattern, and choose the form that fits.
That is the next practical frontier for S:DISS-X.
More here: https://leadu.ai/s-diss-x/basics/serve/
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Our team at Living & Loving Inquiry
Mike R Jay & Gary Gile
Founders @ The NEW LeadU
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You, Me, and We @LeadU
Mike R. Jay is a developmentalist utilizing consulting, coaching, advising and helping… emergent from dynamic inquiry as a means to cue, scaffold, support, lift, and protect; offering inspiration to aspiring leaders who are interested in humaning where being, doing, having, becoming, contributing, relating, guiding to produce resilience and wellth help people lead generative lives.
