deep democracy - action planning

[Chris Corrigan]

Hi LIsa...this is such wise counsel and observation. Thank you for it.

Chris

On 11/7/05, Lisa Heft <lisaheft at openingspace.net> wrote:
>
>  Hi, all –
>
>  Harrison wrote:
>
> Keep the space open for action – again and again. But never force it, for
> that is to close the space.
>
>  I have found that when action planning is not appropriate – or when it
> was designed into an OS and participants didn't engage to a high level – it
> is for various reasons.
>
>
>    - Sometimes it is because people didn't get enough time for
>    emergent/divergent thinking in Open Space (too short – they are asked to
>    think of every possibility and then suddenly to think in a linear way about
>    what to move forward next).
>
>
>    - Sometimes because the design for action is not reflective of the
>    energy of the group (I am one who prefers reopening the space for action to
>    support just the actions that have energy and 'champions'/stewards behind
>    them, engaging passion and personal responsibility – instead of some group
>    agreement on some actions that are necessary that someone should work on)
>
>
>    - Sometimes only the hosts/sponsors/clients want action planning –
>    but if you were to ask what percentage of the total group of participants
>    are coming / would say they need action at this event, the hosts might
>    reflect that actually only 10% would want that – the rest come together to
>    network, learn from one another and share resources. Again,
>    inappropriate design to build in action planning if only the hosts or a
>    small percentage feel the need for it, for example, but the participants are
>    happy with the other deliverables of meeting in Open Space.
>
>
>    - Sometimes I find that when I'm talking to clients/sponsors/hosts
>    they say they want action planning as part of the design – and with further
>    discussion it turns out they want tangible achievements at the end of the
>    event. And they are **used to** seeing that as action items. To
>    measuring results in action items. The Breaking News posted all over
>    the walls and the Book of Proceedings (given out during or post-event) are
>    indeed impressive achievements and with this, the client feels that this is
>    perfect for their / the group's needs.
>
>  And I think it's also the way we sometimes measure things. So many people
> feel that nothing has been achieved if action hasn't been a result of a 2
> day (or whatever) OS. Well: how do we **know** that action hasn't happened
> or won't happen? And why does it have to happen in a way (or timeframe)
> that we see it? It could be happening all over the place, as a result of /
> kindled by / given nutrition from that Open Space and that coming together
> of fabulous people. And how do we know that action is just 'people getting
> together in action planning groups or forming committees or announcing they
> are starting projects'? It could be so many things such as rich
> conversations that shift priorities or perceptions, new collaborations that
> co-create mutual benefits, new partnerships where resources will now be
> shared and budgets are enhanced through sharing…
>
>  Sometimes people don't need to do action or aren't ready for it – because
> they have to tell their story (of pain, grief, loss, what once was) – and be
> fully witnessed / listened to in this story – before they can move to
> action. And that can't always happen in just a few days.
>
>  Having said all of the above, I also enjoy designing in action planning
> in Open Space if that is what the situation calls for, and I see great
> things emerge in the reopening of space towards the end of an OS meeting.
>
>  From autumnal action planning of trees turning fiery red, dropping their
> leaves and saving their energy for Spring's new growth,
>
>  Lisa
>
>  ___________________________
>
> *L i s a H e f t*
>
> Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
>
> O p e n i n g S p a c e
>
> 2325 Oregon
>
> Berkeley, California
>
> 94705-1106 USA
>
> +01 510 548-8449
>
> lisaheft at openingspace.net
>
> www.openingspace.net <http://www.openingspace.net>
>
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--

CHRIS CORRIGAN
Consultation - Facilitation
Open Space Technology

Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com
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