need of your ideas

Birgitt Bolton birgitt at worldchat.com
Thu Oct 2 07:14:54 PDT 1997


Hi Bob and Anne,
Good to hear from you. And I remember our conversation in the rocking
chairs well. Actually those rocking chairs provided for a series of
gatherings. Kind of like a backdrop in a play. I liked that. Makes life
more fun.

Your wisdom about not forgetting to involve the union right from the
beginning meetings is an important reminder. Thank you.

My meeting to roll out the plan for use of Open Space with this group was
delayed to Oct. 23 so I still have think time on this one. I hear what you
are saying about Future Search, but at this point I have a belief that OS
is the way to go right off the bat. But I would like to hear more from you
about why common ground, common purpose is important in your estimation to
achieve first. My tendency is to come to an understanding of the "Givens"
(that which is non-negotiable) before the first Open Space, bound the space
with the story (is the  story of past and present enough common ground do
you think?), and then see if purpose becomes emergent. My experience with
Open Space is that it generally does and when it does and people then run
with it in their actions, that transformation is likely. So...these are my
current viewpoints but I would very much appreciate continued dialogue on
the importance of common ground.

My own passion is not so much in the Open Space events (or other large
system work ie: future search) that could bring people to excitement and
enthusiasm and some understanding...but is about the longer term
organization and the sustainability. You cited the recent example of future
search, and it is too soon to tell. Do you or does anyone who might respond
to this have stories/data about sustainability after an event in terms of
the change begun at the event?

Thanks for help with thoughts on this.

Be well.
Birgitt

 ----------
From: Robert R Lee <rrlee at bizserve.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list OSLIST <OSLIST at IDBSU.IDBSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: need of your ideas
Date: October 1, 1997 5:42 PM

Hi, Brigitt

Ann Thomas and I talked with you briefly at OT15 and you told us a
little about this challenging project.

We have a few thoughts that might be helpful.  One of the aspects that
struck us is the conflict between union and management.  Maybe finding
common ground between these two groups is a precursor to moving into
open space.  In your options, you talk about meetings with senior level
management - does this include the union?  It could be critical to move
management and union in parallel towards the desired future.  A risk of
further alienation could result from focusing only on management.  In
view of the short time frame, there may not be time to recover.

In the open space events we have participated in, seen on video, or read
about either alignment (common ground) among participants is not
important (e.g., OT15) or already exists coming in (e.g., Presbyterian
Church video).  Our sense is that an assumption of reasonable alignment
around a common goal/purpose needs to be met for the participants in
open space.

We speculate that when a group is not aligned, more structure than open
space provides may be useful to find the common ground necessary for the
group to work together on specific actions.  Future Search technology
(Weisbord & Janoff) is one way to do this.  It shares some principles
with open space.  While participants do not control they agenda, they do
control the content with everyone in the room of equal status.  There is
much more total group conversation and sharing which helps everyone
understand other?s viewpoints and move toward the common ground.

We recently did a one day event for people from multiple organizations
that participate in a once-a-year large event that requires lots of
coordinated action and agreement throughout the year.  The 5 key
organizations were drifting apart.  The future search format worked well
for them to see their common ground and incentives to work together.
They left with renewed energy; its too soon to tell if this event will
bring them together, but it does have promise.

We wish you success in your effort.

Bob Lee and Ann Thomas
EDGE Consulting, Inc.   explore . discover . generate . emerge
Ann Arbor, MI    (313) 669-9968
 ----------




More information about the OSList mailing list