Open Space with Construction Engineers

Tue Jan 29 15:27:41 PST 2008

Thanks for replies Carla, Michael P, Harrison, Doug, Lisa and 
Knud....very rich insights and words of wisdom (I just love this List 
community!)
I have cobbled together a response to my Org Psych colleague (who 
incidentally has come to see that, as Carla says, this the only 
intervention he can think of right now! - another convert methinks 
;-)) - and he has had a further conversation with the managers. They 
have agreed to arrange a meeting with us and the Boss-Belong-All (a 
Pacific Islander indigenous term for the Big Chief!) - so we can 
converse directly....how wonderful!

In this fascinating process, we think that this will give the 
managers some 'breathing space' - they don't need to sell an idea 
that they're not quite sure about to their boss and risk his ire if 
he thinks its dumb...apparently the BBA is known for his charismatic 
leadership style which includes very forthright public commentary on 
what he thinks of people and their ideas!
It will give the BBA the opportunity to hear firsthand what we're 
offering and why...
it will give my Org Psych colleague (and emerging OS convert) an 
opportunity to observe the dynamics and learn more about this 
'consultation-preparation phase' of the process (particularly about 
ensuring that the prerequisite conditions for OS are indeed present)....
it will give me the opportunity to integrate some of the wonderful 
commentary from this community into my own work...
it will give me a rush of adrenalin and charge my batteries for 
engaging in more difficult conversations..
it may even provide some remuneration at some stage - and that would 
be grand too!

So - thanks folks - I'll keep you posted...
Cheers
Brendan

At 07:33 AM 30/01/2008, Harrison Owen wrote:
>Carla -- Absolutely brilliant! ("Open Space is the only intervention I can
>think of. (so there is no plan B). And they also explain to me that nobody
>is going to talk, that nobody is going to step into the circle etc etc. And
>than I say, if nobody is going to talk and if nobody is going to step inside
>the circle than either you do not have a problem or you have a very severe
>problem.")
>
>With or without your permission I intend to use your words at the first
>opportunity. Thanks for sharing.
>
>Harrison
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Vliex,
>Carla (cvl)
>Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:04 PM
>To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>Subject: Re: Open Space with Construction Engineers
>
>Brendan
>
>When I read our story it was with a smile of recognition. Managers in
>general perhaps even mCore in more technical oriented organizations, are
>always afraid that 'them people will not understand'. I did several Open
>Space's in construction, ICT and other 'technical organizations' and it
>worked fine as it always does if you feel that this would be a good
>intervention.
>What I say/do is somethong like:
>I am sure that Open Space will help you and I do not know of any kind of
>other intervention as you seemed to have tried several interventions.
>Open Space is the only intervention I can think of. (so there is no plan
>B). And they also explain to me that nobody is going to talk, that
>nobody is going to step into the circle etc etc. And than I say, if
>nobody is going to talk and if nobody is going to step inside the circle
>than either you do not have a problem or you have a very severe problem.
>And if there is not a problem fine but if it gets clear for all that
>there is a problem, they want to solve it. People in this kind of
>organization like to solve problems.... It is their way of speaking and
>it creates a lof of energy. And I am sure thet are going to do something
>about it, if they realise there is a problem.
>
>I hope this helps and my english is not to bad
>
>Warmest regards from the Netherlands Carla
>
>
>Met vriendelijke groet,
>
>
>
>drs. C.J.P. (Carla) Vliex
>
>__________________________________
>
>senior Adviseur
>
>
>
>Twynstra Gudde Adviseurs en Managers
>
>Stationsplein 1, 3818 LE Amersfoort
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>-----Original Message-----
>From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of
>Brendan McKeague
>Sent: vrijdag 25 januari 2008 09:06
>To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>Subject: Open Space with Construction Engineers
>
>I have been provided with a challenge....
>
>A colleague (an organisational psych and consultant) has introduced me
>to a Construction Alliance - a group of construction companies that have
>joined together to build a major 200klm long highway in Western
>Australia. They have been 'working' together (physically) for about a
>year and have become stuck around 'communication' - especially between
>the project managers, site engineers, supervisors working at the ground
>level. The professional HR company they hired to guide them through the
>human dynamics dimensions of their collaboration has not been very well
>received by the people - they have provided 'facilitated interventions'
>that seem to have added to the difficulties. My colleague suggested they
>try Open Space and arranged the conversation yesterday with two senior
>managers in the Alliance - at which they expressed that they needed a
>process that would allow people to feel trusted and respected, not be
>treated like children at school, and to be able to raise and deal with
>the issues that were causing them problems - mainly lack of
>communication.
>It was obvious (to me and my colleague) that they needed some Open Space
>- and after explaining what it is and how it works - they agreed that
>this would be wonderful....except - that they didn't think it work with
>engineers and construction workers....AND - they would have trouble
>'selling' it to the Alliance Director.
>Funny how the managers clearly identified that what these folks wanted
>was trust and respect for their views - and this was what they wanted
>too - and then baulked at the methodology that would deliver this...!
>
>So, I have had a call today from my consultant colleague who reports
>that they have said:
>
>a) their boss might go along with it if they could assure him that there
>would be a Plan B in place - if it falls apart then the Org Psych would
>step in and rescue (to which I will say something like---mmmm, that
>wouldn't really work for me!)
>
>b) are there any case stories of Construction Companies using this
>method - and it worked?
>(I chuckle - inwardly- when folks think that being in construction - or
>whatever- somehow means that they are distinct from the rest of the
>human species! reminds of Michael Herman's story 'can Catholics do
>this?')
>
>My request
>I can relate Harrison's story about AT&T Olympic Village at Atlanta -
>which is primarily a design team - are there any others involving
>Construction Engineers that spring to mind?
>
>With thanks
>Brendan
>from a very hot Western Australia
>
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