Audrey O’Sullivan is a practising solicitor and acts as General Counsel, to SIRO DAC. As a member of the SIRO leadership team, working in a fast paced ever changing business environment, the art of asking good questions is paramount. This practice keeps business moving, while ensuring the parameters of tolerable commercial risk are appreciated. It speaks to good risk management. SIRO is a wholesale provider of world class, super-fast, high-quality broadband, deploying future proofed fibre technology across Ireland. Audrey is completing an MSc in Leadership Development with Smurfit Executive Development and is an accredited EMCC Business and Executive Coach practitioner.
Thought leadership:
I have been reading an article recently, by Chris Argyris ‘Teaching Smart People How to Learn’. The author writes about the value of
double-loop thinking, for business. And he explains how high performing individuals can struggle with double loop reflexive learning (how our thoughts and feelings can influence what we do). (Argyris being the former American business theorist and Professor Emeritus of Harvard Business School).
Single Loop learning:
Single-loop thinking and learning is associated with
problem solving. A process of looking outwards. It is something we do every day. Something mechanical. Perfunctory. By way of analogy, this is akin to a thermostat that automatically switches on air conditioning when the heat in a room gets above 30 degrees. The process is automatic. Non reflective.
Double Loop learning:
By contrast, Double loop thinking and learning involves standing back. This approach questions and explores whether the level at which the air conditioning comes on (at 30 degrees) is the right level (in the present), or whether or not some other trigger might be more efficient. Double loop learning involves a questioning of base assumptions. It requires a process of looking inwards. This involves emotional intelligence. Genuine learning occurs with this
additional step of questioning, exploration, and testing. This step involves the ability of individuals or teams to
think and
reflect and it involves an open mindset. It involves an ability to receive challenge, to evaluate and update our thinking, or hypotheses and recommendations we make, vital for key business go-no-go decisions.
Curiously, Argyris explains that high performing individuals, knowledge workers of today, including management consultants, financiers, accountants, lawyers, engineers, and others often
resist or defend against a double-loop learning spotlight being placed on them and their reasoning. As a practising lawyer (and executive coach) I am curious about this. As an advocate it’s normal to ask questions of others and of myself to achieve good outcomes. Significantly, this act of questioning, is not a form of
mistrust or an
invasion of privacy of the other (Argyris) although for experts in their field, it might feel like that. In fact, healthy genuine challenges, debate, and reflection are qualities needed to promote new ideas, innovation, creativity. The art of good questioning affords a valuable learning opportunity for all involved.
Defensive reasoning:
Argyris, recognised, that the testing of assumptions of others, however, can produce a form of
defensive reasoning in the minds of high performing individuals, which is not useful for a company. In business transactions this is due, he claims: to a desire to be in control; or to maximise winning and minimise losing; or the belief that negative feelings should be suppressed; or a desire to appear extremely rational. Defensive reasoning is triggered by challenges to our views which touch upon our
beliefs. We wish to avoid any threat to our identities, or a view of ourselves as being less than competent experts. This is in effect ‘closed loop’ reasoning as in reality, we all make mistakes. However,
‘to cling to a wrong idea for the sake of “credibility” is the height of self-orientation because it is all about us and not at all about the facts’ writes David Maister, in his book ‘The Trusted Advisor’.
Double-loop learning is a reflexive process which looks at the rules and reasoning we use, which influences our pattern of behaving.
The higher you go Double loop learning provides us with an effective leadership tool.
Productive reasoning on the other hand, demonstrates a willingness to examine one’s own role in any difficulties in a project. That I need to be open to criticism and willing to publicly have my assumptions tested against the further evidence and experience of others. As a ground rule, I have relevant information and others also have relevant information and each of us may see things the other does not. This can require a single loop problem solving approach to adapt as double-loop learning recognises that how a problem is
defined and
solved can be part of the solution.
In summary, Double-Loop learning is a useful leadership skill to i) reflect on assumptions more openly and ii) test the validity of hypotheses rather than cling to ideas. This can be the difference maker between being great and near great, between the gold and settling for bronze, as Marshall Goldsmith suggests. The higher you go Double loop learning provides us with an effective leadership tool. And,
‘when senior managers are trained in new productive reasoning skills, they can have a big [positive] impact on the performance of the entire organisation (Argyris).
The roll-out of a full fibre broadband network in Newcastle West is part of SIRO’s ongoing network expansion, targeting more than 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026.
To date, over 560,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. The company is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future-proofed broadband across Ireland.
SIRO is a broadband wholesaler, which means that it designs, builds and maintains its full fibre broadband network. Homes and businesses can then order its services from over 20 retailers such as Virgin Media, Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, Pure Telecom, Ivertec, Blacknight and many more. All details can be found on www.SIRO.ie .
SIRO John Keaney Chief Executive Officer, noted:
Pictured at the announcement of the SIRO network expansion into Claremorris where over 1,500 homes and businesses will have access to full fibre broadband are Joanne Grehan, Director of Services at Mayo County Council and Amanda Glancy, SIRO with elected members of Mayo County Council Claremorris and Swinford Municipal District. Over 8,700 premises across county Mayo will enjoy fibre connectivity upon completion of this expansion. Photo: Alison Laredo[/caption]
Areas in Claremorris which will benefit from the roll out include (but are not limited to): Claremont, Lisnaboley, Clare, Carrowbeg East, and Mayfields.
SIRO first rolled out to Castlebar in 2017, reaching over 3,000 premises in the town. Since then, SIRO has been steadily rolling out its network across the county. In Westport and Ballina over 2,100 premises respectively can access SIRO’s network. This means 7,200 premises can already access SIRO’s network in Mayo.
Once Claremorris is complete , SIRO’s network will be available to over 8,700 premises across the county, providing speeds of up to two gigabits for homes and up to ten gigabits for enterprise.
The roll-out of a full fibre broadband network in Claremorris is part of SIRO’s ongoing network expansion, targeting more than 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026. To date, over 550,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. SIRO is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland.
Mayo County Council Director of Services Joanne Grehan noted:
With a strong reputation built over 25 years, Ivertec is now a leading telecoms partner serving a wide range of businesses particularly in the corporate, education and hospitality sectors.
Through this collaboration with SIRO, Ivertec gains access to the Gigabit broadband network, powered by 100% Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology, providing businesses in Munster with reliable and secure connectivity. The SIRO network is a benchmark for speed and reliability, offering businesses in Munster an unmatched connectivity experience. The alliance will leverage Ivertec's extensive experience in the Telecoms market and their local presence to bring SIRO's Gigabit broadband to even more businesses and homes.
Gerard O Sullivan of IVERTEC said:
Since it first commenced eight years, with the groundbreaking Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, 20 remote and digital working hubs have now participated in the Initiative. Collectively the 20 Hubs now host over 1,000 desks, used by a wider range of businesses from larger more established companies to newly formed start-ups. A wide range and type of companies are now using Gigabit Hubs such as 
11/01/2024 The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr.Joe Conway pictured on Tramore Beach, Co.Waterford with from left, Liam Rafter, SIRO Site Agent, Denis Cambridge, SIRO Build Director, Amanda Glancy, SIRO Director, Corporate Affairs, Jack Doyle, Broadband Officer, Waterford City & County Council and Damien Murray, SIRO Head of Strategic Projects.Picture:Noel Browne[/caption]
Similarly, its build in Dungarvan will complete early this year, with almost 3,200 premises fibre enabled, with the majority of Dungarvan premises already live on the SIRO network.
The network expansion to Tramore, will see over 19,000 premises and over 52,000 County Waterford residents passed by the SIRO network.
Areas in Tramore which will benefit from the rollout include: Moonvoy Valley, Glenroad, Mountfield, Strandhill, Somerville, Meadowbrook, Ard Haven, Main & St. Patrick St, Priest’s Rd, Westbrook, Newtown, Carrigealea.
The first homes in Tramore will be able to order the new broadband services from April 2024, with the remainder coming on stream over the following months.
The rollout of a full fibre broadband network in Tramore is part of SIRO’s ongoing network growth. SIRO is targeting more than 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026. To date, almost 550,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. Overall, SIRO is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland.
[caption id="attachment_9046" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
11/01/2024 The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr.Joe Conway pictured on Tramore Beach, Co.Waterford with from left, Amanda Glancy, SIRO Director, Corporate Affairs, Denis Cambridge, SIRO Build Director and Jack Doyle, Broadband Officer, Waterford City & County Council. .Picture:Noel Browne[/caption]
SIRO Chief Executive Officer, John Keaney, commented,
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste noted: