How do I get 8 groups to start cooperate?

[Chris Corrigan]

Hi Michael...

Two things come to mind...echoing Harrison, that if there are pressing issues, then you are ready to open space, perhaps around a theme of "how will we learn together as we move forward in this project?"  Something that invites any and all with ideas and experience to post them, host the conversations and record the results.  Some of those results can later be adopted by the whole group, not as agreements per se (with all the attendant structure for accountability) but as PRACTICES.  In other words, use the Open Space to initiate some "things we'd like to try" to see how they work in aid of supporting collaboration and cooperation.

The second thing I'd offer is, if you have some time with them and they are up for it, play some improvisational theatre games with them.  You can find a huge collection of games to play together by googling "improv games" (there is even an iPhone app called iProv which is great).  I've been playing these kinds of games with folks for the past year fairly intensively and it creates a lovely, fun and energetic learning container for experiencing the core competencies of collaboration.  If they begin to become fluent in the skills of improvisation they will have some grounded experience to take to their co-learning about working together in the business context as well.

Depends on how much you are willing to try with them, but it's all good.

Chris

----
Chris Corrigan
chris at chriscorrigan.com
http://www.chriscorrigan.com


On 2010-05-19, at 2:17 AM, Michael Jensen wrote:

> Hi everybody,
> 
> I have really enjoyed reading the conversations in this list and all wisdom there is out there.  now I have a problem and maybe someone can help....
> 
> I'm going to work with a group of 20 leaders from 8 differnt units for 2 days. They are in the beginning of a big project and one of the key success factor is that this units,cooperate and they have to use all the different competens to get ahead. There must be a flow between them, no hidden agenda, no defense behavoir. 
> 
> This is a new situation for them. They have not cooperate on that level before. They don't even know each other. 2 of the units  have been set the frame for the project and some others feel that they are excluded. A nice start : )
> 
> The purpose of these 2 days is that they feel that everyone is a part of the project and that everyone is important. That everyone know how everyone can contribute. That the roles are clear and that they have found a way how to cooperate in a realistic way. 
> 
> Do someone out there have some good idées of process, methods, exercises to work with the HOW to cooperate, and clarify the borders between the groups. They have also problem with the communication - if they don't get information, they feel excluded...
> 
> I think we also have work with:
> Get a common vision and purpose of the project.
> Values in the group, what they are and what they should be.
> Dont' we? But in this area I feel more safe. : ) 
> 
> 
> //best regards Mich J, Berlin
> 
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