[OSList] Agile Adoptions, Open Space, and control

[Annamarie Pluhar]

Daniel -

I find that model most interesting. Simple and communicates clearly. I 
had not heard of Ed Seykota - found some of him on the web. Found the 
page for his book.. , http://39thday.com/#
Do you have a link for that model?

Thanks


Annamarie

On 26 Apr 2014, at 9:59, Daniel Mezick wrote:

> There is a fellow named Ed Seykota. He innovates. He has 2 pairs of 
> models: a pair for 1-to-1 relationships, and a pair for group & system 
> level relationships. His models confirm and align with the 
> philosophies and assumptions which form the foundation of Open Space:
>
> ·All systems are open
>
> ·All systems are self-organizing
>
> The Models
>
> (1) *intimacy-centric*and *control-centric*models for relationships;
> In a control-centric relationship, the parties go for control.  They 
> use manipulation, force, threats, guilt, etc. to get each other to 
> "behave" properly.  In an intimacy-centric relationship, the parties 
> go for connection.  Every event becomes an opportunity to become 
> closer and more intimate.
>
>
> (2) *causal*and *system*models for dynamic behavior.
> In the causal model, we have a cause and an effect.  You flip the 
> switch and the light goes on.  In the system model, you have 
> inter-relating elements that co-evolve as their effects on each other 
> change.  Some examples of systems are a thermostat that intends to 
> keep the temperature in the room constant and a futures market that 
> intends to find a price that balances supply, demand and other 
> speculative interests. Politicians typically apply the causal model to 
> economic situations so as to find a convenient "cause" that justifies 
> expenditures on their pet projects.
>
> Now, what is interesting & concerning (to me) is the way the so-called 
> Agile institutions tacitly support the control-centric model for 
> relationships and the causal model for dynamic behavior, in Agile 
> adoptions. Throughout the world.
>
> I am an Agile consultant. I choose to focus my attention on finding 
> ways to reduce the number of coaching days, such that organizations 
> can reach a state of self-sustaining, "freestanding" agility faster. 
> And here is what I have discovered: to speed up the process of change, 
> the people in the situation have to actually /consent/ to the change. 
> They must be /willing/. They must be choosing /freely/. High 
> Performance in Agile adoptions is a function of /opt-in willingness to 
> proceed/ on the part of the people who actually do the work.
>
> Sound familiar?
>
> Typical Agile adoptions today are implemented as imposed and mandated 
> process change. By "management". By "formally authorized leadership." 
> This is the control-centric model for relationships.
>
> Typical Agile adoptions today are implemented as imposed, mandated 
> process change. The assumption is that if we can just "make them do 
> this or that", we can "cause" improvement in the organization. This is 
> the causal model for system behavior.
>
> This is a very serious problem in our world, and one that the 
> so-called Agile institutions are just not addressing. The Agile 
> Alliance, for example, has various policy statements. Yet the Agile 
> Alliance has no policy statement whatsoever regarding the harmful, 
> mandated imposition of Agile practices. This amounts to a 
> rubber-stamping of the control-centric, causal, imposed-Agile "status 
> quo" that we see in the world today.
>
> Open Space can help with Agile adoptions, but only if the Facilitator 
> is unwilling to implement the control-centric model for relationships, 
> and only if the Facilitator is unwilling to implement the causal model 
> for social-system behavior. Well-intentioned management often just 
> does not see it that way.
>
> I'm concerned that we are entering a period where, absent any clear 
> position statement on mandated-Agile from the so-called Agile 
> institutions, we can expect trouble in the way Open Space evolves in 
> the Agile-adoption marketplace. As Open Space Facilitators, we (and we 
> alone) are in a position to maintain the sanctity of Open Space, and 
> prevent it from becoming a tool of manipulation and control in Agile 
> adoptions.
>
> Daniel
>
> Related Link: The Agile Imposition
>
> http://martinfowler.com/bliki/AgileImposition.html
>
> Related Link: Sample Agile Alliance policy statement on certification
>
> http://www.agilealliance.org/news/agile-certification-a-position-statement/
>
> Control vs Intimacy Model for 1-to-1 Relationships; Causal vs System 
> Model for Groups
>
> http://www.seykota.com/tt/workshops/examples.html
>
>
>
> -- 
>
> Daniel Mezick, President
>
> New Technology Solutions Inc.
>
> (203) 915 7248 (cell)
>
> Bio <http://newtechusa.net/dan-mezick/>. Blog 
> <http://newtechusa.net/blog/>. Twitter 
> <http://twitter.com/#%21/danmezick/>.
>
> Examine my new book:The Culture Game 
> <http://newtechusa.net/about/the-culture-game-book/>: Tools for the 
> Agile Manager.
>
> Explore Agile Team Training 
> <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-training/> and Coaching. 
> <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-coaching/>
>
> Explore the Agile Boston 
> <http://newtechusa.net//user-groups/ma/>Community.
>
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