My experience with Open Space Technology is that it is one crazy idea to try to wrap one's head around without ever experiencing it. Almost no one believes that it works. Part of trying to overcome this resistance in my experience has been sharing stories of how people in similar sectors have been using the process.
I think that the realization that people are people is something that comes in an accelerated fashion if one has been around OST for a while, because it tends to blur or erase those boundaries that we construct around ourselves. Through and ongoing practice of OST I think we come to experience the kind of mutuality that Michael Herman once described to me as "making others as real to me as I am to myself." I think that's cool. My perspective on these kinds of conversations is that I enjoy reading stories of how Open Space is being used by facilitators, organizations, communities and people. I enjoy following the learning journeys that many list members are pursuing. I like it when new people arrive on the OSLIST, ask a few questions, use OST, report their amazement and success and grow into a deeper and subtler appreciation of the process and its potential. Chris --- CHRIS CORRIGAN Bowen Island, BC, Canada Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot Honmepage: http://www.chriscorrigan.com ch...@chriscorrigan.com (604) 947-9236 > -----Original Message----- > From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Birgitt > Williams > Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 7:20 AM > To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > Subject: Re: Police > > This conversation has again brought up for me a feeling of sadness that I > experience on this list from time to time when identical conversations > come > up. People are people. OST works. What nationality the people are, what > profession they hold, what race they are and so on has no effect on > whether > people can benefit from an OST meeting. I am saddened every time there is > a > conversation on this list where generalizations are made about a > particular > group of people and then there is a discussion about whether OST will work > for them or not AND/OR there is applause that OST worked with a particular > type of person as though it is a surprise. > > I agree with what Chris Corrigan said: > "So, I think you'll do fine with the police. It's really a question of > saying to them "you have stuff you need to do? Fine, we have a process > that > will get everything out of the way so you can get down to it."" > > I add to that "if the givens are sorted out well, there is space that can > be > opened in any type of organization. In some organizations, it might be a > teeny tiny space but a space that can be opened can be identified > nevertheless." > > Blessings to you and to all with whom you make Genuine Contact, > Birgitt > Birgitt Williams of Dalar International Consultancy > www.dalarinternational.com > > We provide inspirational and practical how to guidance for leaders who > want to achieve healthy and balanced organizations to produce exciting, > tangible results for the organization and for its people. > View the calendar for upcoming training in the Organizational Health and > Balance series of workshops featuring the Genuine ContactÔ program at > http://www.openspacetechnology.com/training.html > <http://www.openspacetechnology.com/training.html> > We invite you to join the Genuine Contact list serve at > http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/genuinecontact > <http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/genuinecontact> > Contact information for Dalar International Consultancy: Po Box 19373, > Raleigh, North Carolina, USA 27619 Raleigh, North Carolina USA > Phone: 919-522-7750 Fax: 919-870-6599 > Founders of the Wellness Revolution for Organizations > Founders of the International Alliance for Mentoring > Creators of the Organizational Health and Balance series of workshops > featuring the Genuine ContactÔ program > > > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.561 / Virus Database: 353 - Release Date: 1/13/2004 > > * > * > ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > ------------------------------ > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, > view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu, > Visit: > > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu, Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html