FW: back to the future in Liberia with OS

[Harrison Owen]

Some little while ago a friend asked me if I knew anything about using Open
Space in Liberia, West Africa. I had to smile because that is where it all
began. As the martinis were doing their magic, the first image that came to
my mind was that of people sitting in a circle, and it came from my time in
upcountry Liberia in the '60s. Circle complete. As you can see from Blake's
letter space was opened and the people felt right at home. Surprise! I found
it truly wonderful, and I believe you will share the wonder when you read
her letter. Happy day!

 

Harrison

 

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854 

USA

Phone 301-365-2093

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)

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From: mmmblake at aol.com [mailto:mmmblake at aol.com] 
Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010 3:53 PM
To: hhowen at verizon.net
Subject: back to the future in Liberia with OS

 

Dear Harrison,

Just finished OS in an NGO office in Liberia that deals with malaria
prevention, treatment and education. (25 people, 13 topics, 1 day) In the
closing circle, I wished you had been there and thought of you everytime
someone said "This is our heritage of how we use to do it and it feels
good." " This is the first time we sit together in 4 years and it is because
of our Liberian past ."" "It is how they do it in our villages and now it
brings us closer together and we can be one team, one program." "This is the
first time I have seen everyone smile in our office." "People were fully
engaged in the room." Immense pride filled the room. (I was asked to go to
this office to do some team building. I think it worked, wouldn't you say?)

 

This team has gone through major transitions from working with malarial
concerns in an emergency situation, just after the war to post emergency
work; from one country director's style to an opposite country director's
style; and a total change of expat management; all in the last 3 months.
And, you know what the # 1 topic out of the 13, after they prioritized?
LOVE, plain and simple and powerful. A committee is now in charge of finding
ways to express it in the office. I think the country director was shocked
at that choice but even more surprised that a quiet man who pushes the
broom, convened the topic.  

 

I was a bit worried for the first hour as it was very slow moving and I
thought I had made the wrong choice, so I left the room and worked on my
laptop, to not control the group and close the space. Turns out, no one had
ever asked them before for their opinions. That was the hesitancy. The ball
started rolling after the first time period.

 

So, my dear, Harrison...it all comes around and back to Liberia, you and
your brillance at capturing the essence of the African culture and bottling
it up for the rest of the world to sip. You have touched their hearts
deeply. In the closing circle, they didn't thank me...at first I was...gee,
no praise for me bringing it to them...HA!  "When the best leader's work is
done, the people say "We did it ourselves." Lao Tzu.

 

Blessings,

Blake

PS: if you want to post our conversation, please do. I'm still having
trouble with my email address and the listserv.

 

 


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