Sorry, I'm still learning how to participate on list serves and not sure how to
send this back just to you, Birgitt.
Thank you very much Birgitt, for your thoughts and response. What you outlined
is exactly what we didn't do enough of!. Ah, the learning process. My
colleague was the one "grounded" and "trained" in using OS and I was limited in
knowing the pitfalls to challenge and the questions to ask.
from a fellow Canadian, Birgitt -- I grew up in a little town -- La Salle --
outside of Windsor. Small world, eh?
Karen
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Karen du Four des Champs
"a catalyst for change for our changing world"
INERCOR, Training & Consulting Co.
"because change begins at the core"
P.O. Box 472
Vashon Island, WA 98070
Seattle Office: (206) 244-1333
Vashon Office: (206) 463-4122
FAX: (206) 463-4124
Pager: (206) 955-4694
E-mail: k...@inercor.com
The information in this electronic mail message is privileged and
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-----Original Message-----
From: Birgitt Bolton <birg...@worldchat.com>
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu <osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu>
Date: Tuesday, April 27, 1999 6:35 AM
Subject: Re: Question to experienced OS users
Hi Karen,
your question is a good one and it is why we emphasize working out the
"givens" so thoroughly ahead of time. I think that Jay's outline of what it is
he does with the client ahead of time is one of the best I've seen and
certainly encompasses much of what I do with every open space. It is the
sponsor, after all, that really opens the space and needs to determine how much
space is really being opened. I make a big point of saying to the sponsors that
it doesn't matter how much space is opened, even a teeny space is okay---what
matters is that they are TRUTHFUL about the amount of space. This of course is
done by establishing the "givens" very clearly including what the process is
for decision after the event. I build into every contract time to work with the
sponsors ahead of the event to clarify accurate theme (the one they say they
want up front and what they usually really want are often not the same) and
time to go through the "givens". The process of sorting through the "givens" is
much harder than one might think. Mostly because it is about truth and clarity
and many companies have a hard time with this. So, we take a day before the
event to do this. And I build in a day after the event to figure out how to
make the most of it all once the experience of OS has happened.
Warmest regards,
Birgitt
Birgitt Bolton of Dalar Associates
www.openspacetechnology.com
55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
L9G 2E8
phone: 905-648-5775 fax: 905-648-2262
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu]On Behalf Of Karen
du Four des Champs
Sent: Monday, April 26, 1999 1:40 PM
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Subject: Question to experienced OS users
I facilitated a 3 day Retreat for a client using a day and a half of
Open Space with another colleague a year ago. Months later, the client
retained me to continue some aspects of the work we began the year before,
including assuring the OS notes and recommendations were distributed to all.
Some of the work that was to occur by the client in terms assuring all
convenors followed through did not occur consistently.
Now, I'm spending alot of time working to "clean up many of the
assumptions" we put out during the OS process. Our fundamental assumption
(confirmed with the division chief) that staff were "truly empowered" to
convene a session and follow through with their recommendations had several
barriers (not all of which we, as facilitators could be aware of at the time)
i.e.. legal constraints, budgetary constraints and most fundamental and
intrinsic was that this group was just a micro of a macro org that has a
systemic culture of "hierarchical decision making," so although the division
chief was supportive of this process of accountability, there were those
recommendations (stated above) that could not be carried out and thus it
appears to participants that this process was just lip service. My main lesson
in all of this was in tee-ing up the process with clearer directions given the
systems limitations.
Anyone have thoughts of wisdom or ideas to share to minimize the
long-term impact of the process "backfiring." I will be facilitating their
next process next week. Thank you.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Karen du Four des Champs
"a catalyst for change for our changing world"
INERCOR, Training & Consulting Co.
"because change begins at the core"
P.O. Box 472
Vashon Island, WA 98070
Seattle Office: (206) 244-1333
Vashon Office: (206) 463-4122
FAX: (206) 463-4124
Pager: (206) 955-4694
E-mail: k...@inercor.com
The information in this electronic mail message is privileged and
confidential. It is intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named
above. If you received this transmission in error, you are hereby
notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this
communication is strictly prohibited. Please notify our office
immediately if you received this message in error. If appropriate, we
will reimburse for mail, fax, or telephone charges.
