Learning organizations, impacts and longevity

[Glory Ressler]

Kenoli, Lin and all,

I have appreciated your exploration and exchange and noted that you were hoping for
some conversation around these ideas.  Here's my two cents... late, but hopefully
not entirely worthless  :-)

I have seen and lived the phenomenon you describe, Kenoli.  The tension... what we
are and what we envision ourselves to be. Do the work that comes, and bleed from
the soul, or face insecurity... I am living this.  It has not been fatal (so far,
anyway!) and it does pose certain learning opportunities for me personally.

Essentially, I have come to creative adaptability (consciously choosing to respond
to what appears before me and also taking responsibility for when I do so
unconsciously) and a re-examination of my notions of material sufficiency.
What troubles me most? What am I being called to do here?  How am I learning from
what disturbs me? How can I bring/advocate/model the sort of sensitivity and
inclusiveness you mentioned?
How do I know when enough is enough, materially?  What do I consider sufficient
financially?
By world standards, even when I consider I have it bad, I have it good.

Kenoli wrote>
As world citizens, it is an issue for us about how we are going to carry the dialog
about the future of the planet forward in our work.<
Yes... in our work and in our lives. I will do this anywhere, anytime... The brass
ring may be symbolized by the paying gig and - at this point - I'll give wherever I
can, paid or not.
In some sense, I think my personal experience is one fragment of a larger field...
a longing for community and clan - we must somehow support each other.   Because
the dialogue is, I think, about our relationship to one another (planet, future,
other life)... I believe we need a chance to live this with each other. I am coming
to trust that the support will be there when I give freely of my small gift....
whatever happens...

Kenoli wrote>
It seems to me that there is something missing from the  "learning organization"
model if it can include the kind of ignorance, insensitivity and lack of social and
environmental awareness that has driven Shell's activities in Nigeria.  (I know the
premise here is that all organizations are learning organizations, some better at
it than others, but here is one that seems to purport to be at the forefront of
"learning" awareness.)<
AND
>Any kind of whole system approach -- to truly be a "systems" approach -- will need
to include learning from all relevant quarters, including the larger systems in
which they exist.  <
Oh Kenoli!!  We can rationalize so much when our hearts and heads are walled off
from each other.  There are always good rationale... the way it is, too complex,
etc... and these only hold if you have no felt connection - first with oneself,
then other.  What is missing from the 'learning org' is heart. At this very moment,
I am struggling with having this sort of courageous conversation with a friend of
mine at the World Bank.  They do such good work and yet I also smell something
rotten.
Any truly 'whole systems approach' must include all interested parties and the
'wholeness' of them. Am I bringing my 'whole self' and inviting others to do the
same?

>I know, in my own work with people, that one thing that sabotages efforts are
people's unwillingness to include and engage with stakeholders with whom they feel
uncomfortable.  These are often voices that critically need to be heard.<
I think that every pattern we see is both of the larger system and within our
current struggle for growth.
Am I willing to call it as I see it?  Am I unwilling to include and engage all
stakeholders?  Do I hear them equally and respectfully?
There is no hand that is entirely clean.... I see a frightening future and I need a
clearer vision with which to abate it... I cannot do this alone. Possibility
stories anyone?

>How do these issues inform our work as consultants?<
I continue to do work in the non-profit and education sectors... a small opening
and bigger than the corporate world. Regarding corporate work, the occasional
client happens by... and I am hungry for access to business education, management
theory publishing and action based, qualitative research opportunities.
I am experiencing a personal political revitalization, particularly around
globalisation and human and social justice. I am considering taking a position with
the Red Cross and am open to other opportunities to become involved.  I am also
leaving North America... in part because our family has come to realize that we
need different input concerning what is meaningful and a new perspective.

Kenoli and Lin - thanks for the opportunity to share.
Best,
glory

kenoli Oleari wrote:

> Lin -- I'm hoping for some more thoughts from the list, also.  This
> issue affects us on a difficult level, because most of the consulting
> work that is available comes from a perspective that only takes into
> account the immediate internal needs of a client.
>
> Kenoli
>
> >Hi Kenoli:  you have given me so much to think about.
> >
> >Lin Grist
> >Chrysalis Consulting
> >UK
> >
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.openspacetech.org/pipermail/oslist-openspacetech.org/attachments/20020210/ac2d635b/attachment-0017.htm>