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<DIV><STRONG>Birgitt:</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>I completely agree with you about the need to not characterize or
stereotype people. Perhaps I could add a couple of thoughts...</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>I find that I am sometimes blindsided by assumptions I've made
about people either because I've not examined them (the assumptions) or because
I'm wrapped up in an unexamined fear of not measuring up.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>So when I saw the postings about doing OS with police officers, I
assumed that it came from a concern to do well rather than a bias toward police
officers or any other group. And I saw the responses as
reassurance.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>I had an experience once when I was a very new consultant of
faciliation with some Cdn armed forces folks where I felt completely intimidated
(I think one officer meant to do it) but it taught me some valuable lessons
finding out in advance how people would react to certain kinds of
processes. I should say that they weren't my client. Another consultant had
called me in to contribute to the facilitation and so I didn't have as much
influence on the overall process as I would have if it had been my client. And
in retrospect, I can imagine that Open Space would have worked
brilliantly.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>But examining the assumptions about a group you are about to work
with, checking them out, and being open to new information is important pre-work
(and ongoing work) for ourselves to do as consultants.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>With great respect,</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Esther</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 PTSIZE="10"><BR>Esther Ewing<BR>The Change Alliance -
Assisting Individuals and Organizations to Build Capability<BR><A
href="http://www.changealliance.com/">www.ChangeAlliance.com</A><BR>330 East
38th St, Suite 53K<BR>New York, NY 10016-9804<BR>212-661-6024<BR><BR>Authorized
Distributor, Panoramic Feedback<BR><A
href="http://www.panoramicfeedback.com/">www.panoramicfeedback.com</A><BR><BR></FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>
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