lights &/ shadows?

[Joelle Lyons Everett]

In a message dated 7/3/03 1:42:00 AM, dlgottlieb at chello.nl writes:

<< >So what positiv point could they make to "loosing" or "give up" control?

>What could be attractiv about that to them?

>What if they would make themselfs unneccesary in the whole process of the

>organization?

 >>

Susanne, Doris--

My current client has scheduled an Open Space event for their organization on
August 1.  They have just broken ground for a new building in a new location,
and will move the staffs of two separate offices into the new center in about
a year.

In our planning meetings, the managers are talking about practical matters,
their concerns about the move.  And they are talking about the kind of
questions you asked.  To my surprise, they do not appear to feel too threatened.
Instead, they are saying things like, "I know that I will have to change.  But
right now, things are not working as well as they should, and maybe this will
help."  They are seeing OST as a way of announcing loud and clear to the
organization that things are going to be different. It's encouraging to me to see them
curious and excited about what might happen!

You also wrote:

<<About people who are feeling as you say, extremely hopeless, who have lost

joy and passion for anything in their work environment... I wonder if Open

Space provides them with a mirror to that experience and a chance to

question it. Perhaps not at the moment in the Open Space, but maybe later,

when back at work or other aspects of their lives. I think it might be that

Open Space really has a powerful (if perhaps invisible effect) on these

people just because it gives them a chance to be there as they are -

unimpassioned, unhappy, burnt out. That they are allowed to be there like

that and still have a place. In my very personal experience sometimes I

think the ideas of "learning organizations" can be extremely disheartening

and painful to people in the organization, and often a bit hypocritical.

YOU MUST LEARN, YOU MUST DEVELOP. In my own experience in organizations I

remember sometimes how oppressive this felt (especially since the

expectations were so high and yet the "organization" itself seemed to be so

uncommitted to me - I learn but then a reorganization comes and blam, out on

the street who cares about you - after such a large investment on my part).

Sometimes when I read OD discussions about learning organizations etc. I

feel this oppression and how it kills my own passions.

Anyway what I mean is I wonder if there is an invisible effect on these

people, one that might not make them happy about being in Open Space but

that would have an internal effect on them that could be helpful to them I

their work - and maybe one that deserves recognition in some way and at some

point.>>

I was very moved by your insight on this point.  I was reminded about my
sister, who teaches art and activities classes in nursing homes, Alzheimers' day
centers, mental health programs and high school classes for developmentally
disabled teenagers.  She encourages the staff to bring even those patients who
are unable to participate actively, if they are willing to come.  She scatters
her materials all around the room, so those who are distracted and wandering
are still in the space of the activity.  She never makes judgments about who
might be a "good" participant, but encourages everyone to be there in whatever
way they can.  And she sometimes see miracles, patients with severe dementia and
depression finding meaning in their lives once more.  I learn a lot from her!

Joelle Everett

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>From  Thu Jul  3 20:09:01 2003
Message-Id: <THU.3.JUL.2003.200901.0200.>
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2003 20:09:01 +0200
Reply-To: thomas at openspaceconsulting.com
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Thomas Herrmann <thomas at openspaceconsulting.com>
Subject: preworkgroup gathered
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
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Dear friends
Just a few lines sharing with you that we had a nice little planning meeting
last week. There were 6 of us attending and lots of spirit. We gathered in a
beutiful place in a little town called Höör in the South of Sweden. Our host
Cia had arranged it very nice so we were well taken care of. All bits and
pieces are coming together and responsibility is shared amongst us.

So far almost all of our preparations have been done using Open Space
Technology.

Still a few countries missing (out of the 70+) but registrations keep coming
in.
Warmest regards to you all
Thomas Herrmann         Phone +46 (0)709-98 97 81
Open Space Consulting   Fax   +46 (0)300-713 89
Pensévägen 4
434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden
Email: thomas at openspaceconsulting.com
www.openspaceconsulting.com

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