Bad experiences - was Proximity and Open Space after presentations

[Andrew Ballance]

I'd like to reinforce this message. If I might, here is my example, part of my story.
 
Earlier this year I had experience of something informed by Open Space. There was a change programme in a company I was working with that brought its practitioners together one afternoon, for 'something.' It was a while ago and my memory is hazy now. Nonetheless, what was clear to me then was that an important principle, to self-organise, was being presented to us. I felt that something was missing, that we hadn't been given enough control, and indeed later learnt that they had taken elements of Open Space, but not the entire essence or philosophy of it. They had tried to control, had remained attached to outcomes.
Nevertheless, they brought together a community that had not been assembled theretofore, we had good conversations that triggered new ideas and fresh approaches amongst some of us.
 
There was even one consultant in the room ready to begin a new phase of his career, who recognised the importance of the underlying principle and followed it up: A little over a week ago I finished training with Boscop in Germany. That was my first true experience of Open Space. I am sure I am not alone when I say that this experience has made me see the world in very different ways.
 
For the organisational system, this set in motion a chain of events whereby I joined the change programme and helped them to advise other business units on the desired change process. Through these conversations, the sponsors of the change process were made more aware of different ways to facilitate and support change, of the other newer paradigms for Organisational Development. Whilst many people that have worked at or with this organisation over the past few years have described it as stagnant, here we see possibly the beginnings of a reinvigorated system.
 
All this from something only informed by Open Space... :-)
 
----- Original Message ----
From: Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 10:27:34 PM
Subject: Re: Bad experiences - was Proximity and Open Space after presentations


Eva – I beg to differ. In no way can I see that either you or Open Space failed. You clearly opened and held the space, or “they” never would have found the “dead moose.” And Open Space did what it always does, initiate the process of self organization so that the people could experience themselves as they actually are. In short, be authentically present. The problem occurs when people don’t like what they are! But that is their responsibility. Not yours. Yes things might have been better if you had been able to have a “proper pre-meeting.” However, if the “leader” in question was as unable to face the facts of his (and his organization’s) life as you indicated, I am not at all convinced that any sort of a meeting would have done much good. Basic character flaws are rarely cured with a single meeting. Now maybe you would have seen that the emperor had no clothes, and declined to do the Open Space – but that would also have been a loss for all those
 who did experience “really talking to each other.” No matter what else may, or may not, have happened, those people will never forget their experience in Open Space. My bet is that for some (many?) that was a high point in their work experience – and showed them what they really were and could be. The frustration occurred when they had to settle for something less, much less.
But as the old saw has it, it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. They now have a new benchmark – and some of them will pursue it. In similar situations I have been surprised with a phone call later (maybe even years later) from a participant in the group – who starts the conversation with something like, “You remember that Open Space. . . some people thought it failed. But for me it was the beginning of my new life. Let me tell you. . . “
 
Harrison
 
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland   20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com 
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.ho-image.com 
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