that is the question

[Michael Herman]

all true, harrison.  though i think it depends on what "getting back to
work" is.  where it is more like general motors structure, then the
ritual is perfect and does bring what's already happened out into the
light in symbolic and practical ways.  in some places that are
overwhelmed with externazation of inner spirit, it's sometimes entered
into with some trepidation, but still seems to work.  it's just scarier
for some folks, which can be its own learnign.  where there is no solid
structure, but rather more of a sea of volunteers and community people,
then "open space" is pretty close to "getting back to work" and that is
the situation where i was first really noticing the value of
non-convergence.  it's always a question for me of what will seem most
real to these folks and how much to will they need to be continuing to
create their own structures vs. being able to rest back into existing
structures.  mixing TASC voting, non-converge, dots, and other hybrids,
there is definitely a broad palette from which to paint these
ending/beginning moments so as to match the furniture they already have.
michaelh



Harrison Owen wrote:

>Kerry -- I am not quite sure which stream you are flowing in -- but if your
>comments about Action Planning / Convergence relate to some of the things I
>said about -- "It is all action planning" -- I think maybe you misunderstood
>me. I have not problem at all with convergence, priority setting, action
>planning. In fact I am perhaps more rigorous and direct in my approach than
>many others. I certainly like the idea of opening space again at the end --
>however, my preference actually is a straight balloting procedure with the
>TASC software or equivalent. I don't think it is a question of right or
>wrong -- but I like, and my clients seem to like, the sort of decisive
>conclusion that occurs when you have nice bar charts indicating the levels
>of interest/passion attached to each of the issues. Certainly the engineers
>like it. You can almost hear the folks saying -- Enough of this Open Space,
>let's get some hard numbers and go to work. Actually I have heard them say
>just that. I feel even more comfortable with this "direct approach" because
>I know that in a real sense it probably isn't needed, or more to the point
>it has already happened. I am not suggesting that everybody "knows" the
>relative position of some of the more marginal issues -- but in terms of the
>biggies, folks are already there. They may not always like what they know,
>but knowing what is important doesn't seem to be a problem. So why do
>something that has already been done (if I am correct)? Well, it makes
>everybody feel good, brings closure, and may actually add something. But I
>think the final part may be more important ceremonially and symbolically
>than in terms of concrete contribution. And I love symbols and ceremonies --
>as do most people, I think.
>
>Harrison
>
>Harrison Owen
>7808 River Falls Drive
>Potomac, Maryland   20845
>Phone 301-365-2093
>
>Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
>Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
>Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm
>OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
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>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of kerry
>napuk
>Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2004 3:22 AM
>To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>Subject: that is the question
>
>Hi HO, Raffi and Artur et al
>
>To converge or not to converge, that is the question.
>
>Call me old fashion, but I feel that's a matter for the planning team
>and sponsor about desired outcomes from an event.  If the
>participants agree and put their energy behind selecting priorities
>and making detailed action plans for those priorities AND any other
>burning issues, what's wrong with that?
>
>The major advantage of doing action planning at the event rests on
>people being together when motivation, creativity, commitment and
>ownership are at a high point.  Moreover, sometimes a detailed plan
>makes the actions seem real and possible, giving a running start to a
>project planning team. After an event, the return to work lives,
>organisational entropy, operational detail and memory fade can often
>take a punishing toll on outcomes.
>
>If the planning team, sponsor and participants do not want to do
>convergence or action planning OR find some other way to do something
>after an event, it's up to them.
>
>Sometimes sponsors want a dialogue on issues, others seek tangible results.
>So, it's different courses for different horses (a quaint British saying.)
>
>I do feel, however, the planning team and sponsor should be aware of
>the options and decide what they want to do with outcomes before
>making a commitment to an event.  Accordingly, if there is time, we
>always offer the option of taking a half or full day to do action
>planning around priorities or any other issue that emerges after an
>overnight "soak."   In any event, as facilitators, we need to clarify
>this point before drafting a timetable.
>
>Cheers
>
>Kerry
>Open Futures
>Edinburgh
>www.openfutures.com
>
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--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
300 West North Avenue #1105
Chicago IL 60610 USA
(312) 280-7838

http://www.michaelherman.com - consulting & publications
http://www.globalchicago.net - laboratory & playground
http://www.openspaceworld.org - worldwide open space

...inviting organization into movement

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