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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>It seems to me that Butterflies and Bumble
bees (by whatever name) are most important in the OS environment. More to the
point, they will appear no matter whether named or not. I find that by naming
them (always with a smile) people are alerted to the coming presence, and those
who do it (Bumble and Flitter) know that they are welcome, and not some nasty aberration.
I think that is really important. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>For whatever it is worth, I have never had
any comments, other than positive ones over 22 years. Most common comment was
from people who felt freed and liberated to be themselves. They always thanked
me, sometimes profusely. And for sure my groups have not been limited to the “touchy-feely”
crowd. How about the Us Military, The Internal Revenue Service, Very Senior
Executives in Financial Firms, Lawyers and Physicians. Never a problem! I say –
Honor the Bumble Bees and Butterflies in our midst. And don’t worry! Every
client will be very nervous on their first time out. They will be sure that
disaster will strike. But up to this moment in time – Open Space always
works provided the conditions are right and the procedure followed (sit in a
circle, create bulletin board, open market place and go to work.) And I
think it works a lot better when you honor the Bumble Bees and Butterflies who
always show up. They are not weird. They are wonderful.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Harrison</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Harrison Owen</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>7808 River Falls Drive</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Potomac,
Maryland 20854</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Phone </span></font><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red'>301-365-2093</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Skype hhowen</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Open Space Training</span></font><font
color=red><span style='color:red'> <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/"><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>www.openspaceworld.com</span></font></a>
</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Open Space Institute</span></font><font
color=red><span style='color:red'> <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/"><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>www.openspaceworld.org</span></font></a></span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Personal website</span></font><font
color=red><span style='color:red'> <a href="http://www.ho-image.com/"><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>www.ho-image.com</span></font></a> </span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>OSLIST</span></font><font
color=red face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:red'>: To subscribe,
unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: </span></font><font
color=red><span style='color:red'><a
href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html"><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'>www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</span></font></a></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On
Behalf Of </span></b>Diane Gibeault<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, March 17, 2008 9:45
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: Creating Space in
Construction (long'ish)</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Congratulations
Brendan,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Again
OS does it’s magic. Would you now go ahead in using the butterfly and bee
metaphor knowing as you said: </span></font>to his amazement, there was no
adverse reaction from the mob!<font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'> Your hesitation was
discussed just a few weeks ago at an OS training where a participant was
going to facilitate her first OS with leaders of 40 large companies and was
also intending to avoid quoting the 2 metaphors. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Other
participants experienced with other daring or so called touchy feely methods
strongly felt that if the facilitator is comfortable and trusts what he –
she is doing and is doing something that has meaning, this trust will be
communicated to participants who will generally not only respect the process
but take full advantage of it to their own greater benefit.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Interesting
that you just demonstrated that with the bells.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Diane</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On
Behalf Of </span></b>Brendan McKeague<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 16 mars 2008 00:45<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Creating Space in
Construction (long'ish)</span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Hi folks <br>
A few weeks ago I posted a topic on the List about a bunch of construction
folks building a big, long road - $550m project - and how they had become a bit
'stuck' around communication and mistrust between management team, supervisors,
designers et al....this was an alliance project where a number of construction
companies had joined together to tender.....a couple of previous interventions
by the 'expert' (and thus expensive) HR consultants had been close to
disastrous and there was now a sense of mistrust around any facilitated
processes that involved outsiders....<br>
<br>
After a couple of heavy'ish conversations with the managers, and my
confirmation that Open Space does not accommodate a Plan B, they decided, 'with
'positive caution', to proceed with an OS meeting for an afternoon - with an
emphasis on the fact that every minute 'off-the-job' was costly and could be of
critical significance to the success of the project.<br>
<br>
And so, we continue the story....<br>
<br>
The invitation was languaged and circulated - "how can we shape the
alliance we want?' - no visually appealing lay-out - plain writing/memo-style
was the order of the day.<br>
About 35 folks came together at the site-office dining area to begin with a
12noon 'working lunch' and were then gathered into the circle at 1230
precisely! (I was amazed at how quickly all the sandwiches disappeared -
mmm, wonder why i noticed that - probable because i missed out!) - here was a
group hungry for something....<br>
I was conscious of the energy levels of 33 big-framed men and two women - in a
relatively confined space and the curious suspicion that permeated the
atmosphere<br>
The Alliance Innovations Manager introduced the meeting, followed by the
Project Director (Big Boss) sponsor thanking everyone for coming and
reiterating that 'time off the job is expensive' and thus the need to use the
time well and then handing over to me....<br>
<br>
I entered the circle of mostly rigid blokes, and breathed my way into the
space...<br>
<br>
'Welcome to Open Space - you have been invited to come to this meeting - you
have agreed to be here rather than somewhere else this afternoon - you have
said yes to help shape the alliance you want to have at this time...as you look
around this circle, notice your colleagues in this alliance who have also come
here this afternoon to join you in this task...and I now invite you to consider
what it is that you wish to address here today....what is really important to
you to raise and deal with here...the remaining time of this Alliance, the next
twelve months or so can be shaped and influenced by what you talk about and
decide to do here today....an important opportunity awaits you"<br>
<br>
Of course by this time I was around the circle and feeling the energies that
were present....mostly suspicious, unsure, somewhat curious and some downright
hostile....<br>
<br>
and then, the rest is history.....into the process of 'opening' and describing
how it works...<br>
<br>
After my opening (about 14.5 mins according to my Org Psych colleague who was
observing) - I walked out of the circle and made my way to other end of the
room - out of site so to speak! There was that pulsating, power-filled
pause - about 10 whole seconds - before the first insertion to the middle - by
one of the women present (i discovered later she was one of the designers) -
and quickly followed by a couple of others - and then they were off....for the
next ten mins, a strange topsy-turvy roller-coaster of announcements and pauses
- nothing happening (on the surface) - then a couple more postings - until I
asked them if they were done - and then they were off.....<br>
<br>
The rest is typically what we see in an OS meeting...in this case it was very
intensified for me - a smaller-than-usual physical space, and a
shorter-than-usual time, with a more heavily male dominated mob of
concrete-operational thinkers - much more accustomed to building spaces than
'being' in them....<br>
Lots of movement and intense levels of engagement throughout most of the
afternoon - some wandering around at times looking unsure what they should be
doing, or which topic was being discussed in each break-out space, little
off-shoot conversations, and plenty of solid work being done...<br>
<br>
There were three 1.25 hr conversation slots - and about 30 mins convergence for
any action planning (similar to what has recently been described here as
're-opening the space') in which five action planning groups met to pin down
next steps....and a closing circle....<br>
<br>
I thought you might identify with some of the comments: </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>This afternoon has opened up some trust in this
group and I'd like to think that we can continue this now... </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>I got to see other people's perspectives - some for
the first time - that is really useful </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>I think that, although it may be a bit late in the
project, the coming together of design and construction folks has been very
positive here today. </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>I'm going to spend a whole day next week riding in
a truck (from a designer) </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>Let's acknowledge that this is a good project -
we're on track for time and within budget...we are doing real well so
far....and I was one of the ones on the management team who was very cynical
about this meeting - I didn't think it could be worthwhile - and I need
to say that I got a couple of niggling issues sorted out here very quickly. I'm
pleased I came. </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>I didn't think that all the right people were here
as it says on the sign - some of those who came left pretty early - and its a
pity they didn't stay to see how its ended up. They've missed out on something
positive and its up to us to convey that to them. (started with 35 and ended
with about 30) </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>There are so many points of view here - it was good
to be able to hear them all without too much aggression </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>I really liked the way that people listened to each
other respectfully and really heard what others were saying. </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>This was so much better than the previous meeting
where we had to draw tortoises with bird's heads....we actually got something
done here. </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>I got a chance to have my say - I feel better about
that now. </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>It didn't solve all my problems with Main Roads
dept but it gave me a good start on some of these. </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·<font
size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font>I now really believe that we're all here because we
want to do a good job and help each other the best way we can. </p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:
.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
And so, the circle concluded with the sponsor thanking everyone for their
contribution and saying that the time together had been productive and
worthwhile for him - now have a beer!<br>
<br>
One of my challenging decisions in preparing for this space was to leave out
the 'butterflies and bees' sign - while still referring (in the opening) to the
fluent and dynamic nature of behaviours (floating and buzzing around) that
might be exhibited in the meeting....I also did bring and ring the temple-bells
- with a little trepidation from the org psych - to his amazement, there was no
adverse reaction from the mob!<br>
<br>
And so another chapter in the experience of this OS practitioner....<br>
there will be a scheduled debrief meeting with sponsor next week<br>
<br>
Cheers<br>
Brendan<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>* *
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