Convergence or Group Consensus

[Diane Gibeault]

Hi Martin,

 

The concern you describe is precisely why when the support of management is
determinant in follow-ups, it's important not only to get participants to
identify priorities. After the survey or vote on priorities, I also have the
management team meet for 10 minutes so they can give immediate feedback to
the group as to whether these recommended priorities are a GO or not, given
the resources, context or other factors. When after this, participants
invest time and energy in action planning, they are assured it is not wasted
and we avoid cultivating cynicism with a process that as you described could
be deceiving. 

 

Management teams usually feel more comfortable agreeing to do an OS event
knowing they have that opportunity during the process to adjust outcome to
reality. Participants are also reassured knowing it won't be just a dream
exercise but that it will be anchored with leadership support.

 

Diane

 

From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Martin
Boroson
Sent: 14 mars 2008 09:08
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Convergence or Group Consensus

 

Thank you Harrison, Michael and Michael for your simple, elegant
suggestions.

 

I am wondering how you (or anyone else) would handle this situation:  

 

The client is happy to open the space for issues and ideas, and happy to see
some initial steps taken on those ideas, but doesn't want to give too much
away in the convergence process (or the 'invitation to action phase').  The
client just isn't willing to give a green light, in advance, to whatever
project emerges, and doesn't want to mislead the people assembled.  Would
the re-opening of the space on the third day, with the question "What next?"
imply that the setting of priorities is the group's decision?  Or that the
participants can proceed with whatever they want afterward?  I imagine that
many people leave Open Space events with this kind of expectation, only to
face a different reality at work the next day.  

 

How would you handle this with the client?  How would you communicate this
to the group? Any other thoughts?  

 

Many thanks,

 

Marty

 


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