Report from the field

[Harrison Owen]

Alan - the experience of respect in Open Space is a first for many people,
and may be the first step to renewal, creativity, and for some, healing.
There seems to be a natural progression from respect to trust to hope. At
least I have seen it play out that way on countless occasions. This
progression is most obvious (and most needed) in highly conflicted
environments. I guess it is most obvious there because people usually
experience so little respect that it comes as very much of a surprise. It is
a constant wonder to me that people can survive in situations bereft of
respect and literally dripping with a level of pathology that for me is
incomprehensible. It is an even greater wonder (mystery) that these same
people can consider this situation to be "normal." If the "situation" were a
concentration camp, that makes a certain amount of sense - but more often
than not we are talking about a "perfectly respectable" business or
corporation. Then again, I guess it is not so strange for the standard
organizational structure seems perfectly designed to limit, even eliminate,
essential human connection, to say nothing of respect. Folks are locked in
boxes and deprived of information all in the name of efficiency,
effectiveness and productivity. The name of the game is fear and control.
Nothing new here, and hardly a deep insight - but under the circumstances
Open Space is definitely revolutionary, if only because people are invited
to leave their cages. The greatest wonder may be that we are ever invited to
open space. 

 

Harrison

 

  _____  

From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Alan
Stewart
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 7:54 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Report from the field

 

Hi All

 

To resume the flow post July 4 holiday and Live Earth connectings (still
going strong in the Western hemisphere) ...

 

Here for your information is a brief report on a happening last week in the
East which you may find helpful for your 

purposes. This is slightly adapted from what I sent it initially to a
marketing agent here in Hong Kong.   

 

 

"Am back after a very productive few days in Shanghai co-facilitating a
workshop which featured an Open Space component for the senior management
team of a large international hotel company. This was with my friend and
colleague Vivien Pau. 

 

They got Open Space in one. By this I mean there was no stopping the flow of
respectful interaction. For example, the CEO and the most recent recruits
talked to each other animatedly if they found themselves in a session which
they felt strongly about. 

 

>From your barest soup con [small taste] experiencing of group conversational
processes you may have a glimpse that when all feel totally respected and
included remarkable outcomes are likely. 

 

Among these are new found deeper relationships and associated questioning
from which emerge changed mindsets, creativity, innovation, collaboration,
commitment. The overall result? $ and Joy. 

 

The immediate outcome of the two day event was a clear set of strategies by
which to achieve defined goals by the end of next year. 

 

And a request for me to change my flight so as to stay on to party with them
after the closure. <smile>

 

The 40 people present - from all around China - included several young
women, ie around age 30-35 (in my 'take') who were very articulate and who
contributed with great confidence. Wondrous to observe! 

 

You may be most heartened to know that organisations whose financial success
is based on such an open corporate culture exist in China. For others are
sure to follow when given the opportunity to notice what may happen when
they engage the services of skilled facilitators."

 

With warm regards

 

Going well

 

Alan 

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