Where does OS end, where does OD start?

[Catherine Pfaehler]

Dear friends

 

After a very successful OS with cancer patients last November, with
wonderful feedbacks from participants as well as from the top of the
organisation itself, I got the feedback this week in our last meeting from
the responsible project manager that I often acted in the field of OD, which
was not my task and sometimes felt as disrespectful. (I will ask back in
what details this was felt most - but for now, it seems that the questions I
asked in order to thoroughly understand the way this well-established
organisation functions were already going too far.) From my work as
administrative manager in our furniture workshop www.wohngeist.ch
<http://www.wohngeist.ch/> , I am used to think in processes and terms of
organisation. This might cause my blind spot in this area.

 

I admit to have a shadow side of "need to know" and "need to control"
(thanks again for that great tool, shadows of the facilitator!). I do want
to make sure I understand the client and their environment well so that I
say the right things when I make my normal announcements during an OS. But I
also feel the need to be honest and clear about the fact that OS WILL change
the organisation (in connection to the required openness to the results from
my sponsor). How explicit do you get on this point? What's honesty, what's
telling too much?

 

And how do you separate OS from OD? Sometimes, when I find a committed
organisation not quite ready for OS, I help them get there by pointing to
what's missing or needs further consideration, e.g. in formulating the
invitation - is that already OD? Sometimes, my way of support is greatly
appreciated and seen as part of the normal preparation process where
everybody flows towards the event and develops naturally - but sometimes, as
in the case above, it is seen as disrespectful. How do I discern the two,
where are the boundaries to be careful around? 

 

Grateful for your inputs - Catherine

 

Catherine Pfaehler Senn

lic.oec.HSG

Open Space Begleitung

Kellersriedweg 8

CH - 2503 Biel

+41-(0)32 - 365 68 41

c.pfaehler at bluewin.ch

 


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