Report from the field

Tue Jul 10 00:47:10 PDT 2007

Harrison and All

Picking up your focus on respect and how it emerges .

Tom Atlee, who you may be aware of,  http://www.co-intelligence.org

articulates very nicely the 'reason' why processes such as Open Space are so critical to bringing forth a spirit of 'We are in this together.' 

Or, in these words which I found when poking around in Jack Ricchiuto's www.DesigningLife.com , to help promote awareness of 

"Our behaviors change only if we decide to belong together differently."

                                                           Margaret Wheatley, author of 'A Simpler Way'

Tom notes: "Co-intelligence, dialogue and democracy all flourish best among peers. It isn't a matter of everybody being equal in every way. It is a matter of everyone having comparable power to influence the outcome of their interactions and, most importantly, everyone giving each other respect.

This is, unfortunately, seldom the case. Most of us have deeply ingrained ways of not respecting each other -- sometimes without even knowing it. This is one of the main reasons that we need "processes" and "facilitators" to help us get good results from our meetings and conversations."

As those of us who facilitate/host conversing processes know, the according of respect occurs spontaneously and naturally when conditions for self organizing are in place. And that this happens (at least for now) in the hands of skilled and experienced process facilitators working with sponsors who intuit the potential value in letting go of control.

In the case of the group with whom Vivien Pau and I were working in Shanghai last week:

The notion of 'circularity', which comes from cybernetics - the study of self organizing systems (or of how 'one thing leads to another') - may be useful in understanding what transpired. 

Being treated with respect was not a novel experience for the participants in this instance. For what was readily apparent to us was that the CEO (an Aussie) habitually accorded respect and trust to his colleagues. This led him to take a 'risk' of bringing in OST for the company's deliberations even though he had not ever experienced it. He did so at Vivien's suggestion, whose professional judgment he trusted having engaged her services last year with good outcomes. In turn the team of 40 people 'dived in' when trusting the process as their 'boss' - who they greatly respect - said it was OK. None of these other people had ever heard of OST prior to the event.

We supplied the form of words with which the CEO introduced the Open Space component. These concluded with:

"I invite everyone to express your passion and responsibility for things you feel are important. Let's see where Open Space takes us!"

As I reported the process fitted very well with their existing ways of interacting with each other. And their consistent feedback at the closure indicated their delight that Vivien and I had accepted their invitation to open space for them.

Now they have the language and the experience to carry them forward with greater vigor and awareness. 

And we are inspired likewise.  

My observations on the role of young women as integral team members brings this to mind:

If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never.                                                                                                                                                                        Soren Kierkegaard

Go well

Alan 

. 

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Harrison Owen 
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU 
  Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 8:15 PM
  Subject: Re: Report from the field

  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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