"It always works" - revisited again

[Larry Peterson]

"OST always works because the 4 Principles always, inherently work
because they reflect the truth."


The principles also create the conditions for the truth that is there to
emerge.  I agree, that most people do want to choose a truth that
embodies love and connection.

I saw this happen again in the last couple of weeks.  The Dean's of
Education of all major Universities in Ontario met with the College of
Teachers an the Ontario Teacher's Federations to explore how to "reclaim
professionalism".  Many factors have militated against a self-managing
profession that is proud and capable - including a number of new
government policies being implemented by some of the people in the room.
The eveing speaker presented the forces against professional educators
in dramatic fashion the night before.  His was not an "appreciative"
presations but took strips off the corporate sector, the government,
academia and the teacher federations for loosing education as the
primary focus.  His analysis was searing and well presented.  I did not
know the details of his presentation, but it was a given when I joined
the planning team.

The impact was still strong by the next morning when I opened the space.
There was less energy and fewer topics than I would have expected.  (My
assumption was that the "expert" was soo thurough in critically taking
apart everything that fewer participants believed that they had what it
took to address the issues.)  So, even though it was slow it did start
and then went.  The energy was over after three rounds of OS
discussions.  A fourth was possible, but not wanted and so we moved to
the "faculty area groups" convergence process earlier.  In these groups,
based on geography, faculties and their federation contacts applyied
what they had learned.  When they very briefly reported back to the room
on their next steps people were amazed at what had been learned and the
kinds of steps the particpants were ready to take.  The closing was full
of excitement and energy and praise for Open Space.

One University is already purusing an Education Faculty Open Space and
two potential trainees are wanting to learn how to do it.

Much of what the speaker had said was seen by the participants to be the
"truth" even though it was difficult.   Once in Open Space, they began
the conversations that allowed them to see what they could do in
response to their understanding.  They strenghthened connections and saw
some paths forward.

Again, the event worked even with beginning with negaitve energy.
Ongoing impact is yet to be seen, but there will be some collective and
well as individual impact.  This is close to the 10th major Open Space
sponsored by the Teachers Federation who have come to see substantial
value in both the process and the impact of each of the
conversaitons/events.  Are they an "Open Space organizaiton"  -- maybe.
Do they see the value of the emergent and now recognize the
opportunities to practice it with OST?  I think so.

Larry

Larry Peterson
Associates in Transformation
Toronto, ON, Canada
416.653.4829

 <mailto:larry at spiritedorg.com> larry at spiritedorg.com
 <http://www.spiritedorg.com> www.spiritedorg.com


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