Birgitt and Virginia: This is also Open Space at its best in terms of multi-disciplinary approach to working as consultants. Well done each of you.
Esther At 07:28 PM 5/27/99 -0400, you wrote: >>We wish to share this story just to let you know that if Open Space can >work >>so well with the military, and so well for such detailed work, that it can >>work anywhere. >> >>As some of you know, Virginia Burt (landscape architect specializing in >>sacred spaces and healing gardens) and I, Birgitt Bolton, (organizational >>learning consultant specializing in potential unlimited through Open Space) >>have joined forces in a number of projects in which I (Birgitt) facilitate >>an Open Space Technology meeting (often preceded by a story telling >evening) >>to engage a community group/stakeholder group/company in developing their >>ideas for their landscape (yes, I mean physical landscape). And then >>Virginia has considerable data from which to do the landscape design for >the >>land, based on what the client group really wants, really has passion for. >> >>We have learned a considerable amount about how well using Open Space >>Technology delivers data detailed enough for a landscape architect to use >to >>do her work. When I do the Open Space, I view myself as having two >>"clients". The company and Virginia. If I have the Open Space set with the >>right theme and have done a good job with both the organizational givens >and >>the landscape givens, the data flows directly to that which Virginia needs. >>The theme and givens are key. I view it as getting the "toboggan" going >down >>the right hill. If I get the toboggan going down the wrong hill, we might >>have a great meeting, but we won't get what Virginia needs to do her >design. >>This is Open Space at its best for product development or for planning. >>Virginia and I will be presenting a paper about the magic that is possible >>at the Canadian Council of Planners in Montreal Quebec in June. They are >>very intrigued with the use of Open Space for detailed and prioritized >>planning. >> >>Anyhow, our client group this last time were the military. No this was not >>an open space to look at issues and opportunities for transforming the >>military (alas) but for me it was the next best thing. The landscape to be >>developed was 102 acres at one of their most important national >>institutions. The open space took place while there was a gathering of >>leading military officers from across the country which also meant that it >>was a time of lots of military ceremonies on the site while we were there. >>There were 60 people that took part in the Open Space. 7 generals, a >>brigadier general, some colonel's, several commandants, etc, etc. Mostly >>men, mostly older, many with education as engineers. Just the sort of mix >>that I've heard tell Open Space will not work with. A few women in the mix, >>a bit of age diversity with some younger cadets. Mostly people used to >>command and control. Very steeped in being used to being obeyed. >> >>We did a story telling evening prior to the open space. To honour the past >>and present before looking at the future. The history of the land we were >>looking at was so steeped in tradition, ceremony, history and memories that >>conflict was expected as very differing passions abounded. I had been told >>ahead that we would experience much conflict. For many,no change was >wanted. >>For others, they knew that survival depended on looking to the future. So, >>after supper, I had these very dignified persons meet in a circle. And then >>used process facilitation methods to do the storytelling. I placed a group >>of my favourite stones in the centre of the circle, invited the >participants >>to choose a stone (which they each did) despite mumbles of touchy feely. >And >>asked the individuals to look at the stone to see what it revealed to them >>about their memories of the landscape. From this they each were to tell >the >>story to a partner, and then to the group as a whole. Everyone >participated. >>Wonderful stories surfaced. No one dominated. And the stories continued >long >>after the closing of the circle. And the man we were told would be most >>cantankerous spoke of his amazement at what had happenend. And how moved he >>was. >> >>The following morning we opened the space. A lot of detail had to be given >>because of the "givens" about the landscape and I had moments of >awkwardness >>about information overload for the people. And then in the middle of >stating >>the four principles, there were three rounds that went off from a howitzer >>(sp?). Explosive. I was walking the circle. The windows were open. And then >>there was bagpipes playing. And I continued with the opening to these >>background very military noises, opening space for the generals, the >>colonels, etc. And the young people who make their declarations of >>"unlimited liability" willing to give their lives for the country. And we >>had a grand open space. Everyone participated fully. We had lots of >>compliments about a wonderful day and a wonderful process. Virginia and I >>even received hugs. There were excellent discussions. No conflict. >> >>In one case, a topic went up that everyone thought was a sure thing to move >>forward because it was the sort of thing that was traditional. It received >>no votes. In another case, another topic was put up that had no one but the >>leader attend the discussion. He wrote a report, with my encouragement and >>when it came time to vote, it was one of the top vote getters. Much to his >>amazement. Open Space at its best. Be prepared to be surprised. >> >>Virginia received so much excellent data for her design that she will be >>able to cater to the passions of the participants and thereby not have to >>"sell" her design after the fact. The last design she did in this way >>received unanimous approval. No rejections by a "planning committee" or a >>design that was put on a shelf. It is being implemented. We are sure the >>same will happen with this one. And this way of combining Open Space with >>landscape architecture or any other planning or product development allows >>Virginia to have a master plan ready for the client group 40 days from the >>start of the process. No long waiting period for the client, but a plan >>while passion is still running high. >> >>Kindest regards, >>Birgitt Bolton and Virginia Burt >>www.openspacetechnology.com >> >> >> >> >> > >