Pondering Open Space and Spiral Dynamics

[Meg Salter]

Hello all
Yes, I too am a Wilber fan, quite familiar with Spiral dynamics and have
done a fair bit of OST facilitation.
OST works in all 4 quadrants in that it gives a minimal structure for group
process (lower right) that affects how groups interact and inter-think
(lower left - the "group mind"), individual behaviours (upper right) and
individual consciousness (upper left). Whew!  While different individuals in
a group will be at different places, there will be a center of gravity to
whatever group is using OST.  OST is attractive to greens, because of it's
high group inter-activity and "level playing field" message, but I have also
used it with groups who are largely orange or even blue. My sense, is that
OST can serve as a gateway for movement "up the Spiral" by stimulating
growth and expansion in both individual and collective consciousness. So for
example, a government hide-bound beauracracy may become more entrepeneurial
and accountable - orange. Or a $- result only  orange corporation may soften
and expand the group of stakeholders with whom they feel accountable
(green).

And this, I feel, is because (and I'm only building off Harrison here) is
because OST operates at that self-organizing, creative edge of chaos place,
where transformational growth can occur. This growth can occur when a
critical mass of individuals shift there own awareness, and this is often
made easier in a group context. And the centre of consciousness moves to the
only place it can - next level on the spiral.
.......anyway, to my mind, they all "grok" beautifully together!
Meg Salter

MegaSpace Consulting
416/486-6660
meg.salter at sympatico.ca
www.megaspaceconsulting.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "McInerney" <shaymarg at indigo.ie>
To: <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2002 7:39 PM
Subject: Re: Pondering Open Space and Spiral Dynamics


> Hi Peggy,
> I am a big fan of both Wilber and of Spiral Dynamics. Unfortunately I
> have yet to experience OST in any real way but reading the various mails
> on the list makes me long for the experience (some day). It seems to me
> that OST plays a kind of trick on the SD levels. I am assuming here that
> "through greens" means all levels up to and including greens. (English
> usage either side of the atlantic can differ a bit). Wilber does say
> that the levels, green and below are intolerant of each other but what
> better way to get them interacting than by offering them the possibility
> of discussing issues of concern to them. I assume that each of the
> developmental levels can exist (within reason) at the same OS and could
> possibly propose their own version of what is exactly the same issue for
> a session. Each would use their own wording, thereby attracting their
> own participants who would then discuss the issue from their own
> perspective. Each in turn would produce conclusions that support their
> own world view, be it blue, orange or green. According to SD, the group
> can be at one level while individuals within the organisation can be at
> different levels. Hence an organisation can have individuals who are
> creative but not in positions of influence or indeed have superiors who
> block their ideas because they simply don't see the world the same way.
> I can only imagine what OST can do for a senior manager who is trying to
> revitalize an organisation and make contact with the ideas people.
>
> Shay
>
> > Peggy Holman wrote:
> >
> > I just finished reading Ken Wilbur's Boomeritis.  The book talks
> > extensively about Spiral Dynamics.  One aspect he discusses is how the
> > memes through Greens are intolerant of each other.  I started thinking
> > about Open Space's capacity to bring people together and actually
> > interact productively.  Makes me think that the power of OST is that
> > it operates, to use Wilbur-ese, in all quadrants and at all levels.
> >
> > My apologies to those who don't speak this Spiral Dynamics/Ken Wilbur
> > jargon.  For those more familiar with this work than I, what are your
> > thoughts?
> >
> > Peggy
> >
> >
> > _______________________________
> > Peggy Holman
> > The Open Circle Company
> > 15347 SE 49th Place
> > Bellevue, WA  98006
> > 425.746.6274
> > www.opencirclecompany.com

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