Brendan -- As Michael said the Boeing story might be helpful. Of course these are all aeronautical engineers and craftsman. There is also the story of Telcel -- the cell phone company in Venezuela (now in much of South America) that just about went under because they were selling so many phones that they couldn't keep up with the construction of towers etc. And of course they never had a moment to think and talk. One Open Space for the whole company, which was only 300 people at that point, turned it around. You also might think of the USWEST, for which we have a nice DVD which you could show. That system was broke in just about every way you could think of. But of course those were communications engineers...:-)
I can think of a dozen more -- but in my experience you could have 100 stories and it still wouldn't do it. The common comment is, "That is all very nice, but it will never work with THIS group." And of course it never will if they don't try -- which will vindicate the boss's skepticism. When faced with a situation like this I always do something like what Michael P. proposes. Don't try and sell OS, or even "prove" that it will work. Take a very clinical view and simply tell the folks what the essential conditions are (real business issue, complexity, diversity, conflict, immanent decision time) and ask them if they think it fits. Sometimes I will also go a little further and suggest that they try real hard to think of alternative approaches and when, or if, they run out of options, come and talk to me. One thing I would pay special attention to -- the boss's understanding of what "works" means. If he has some hidden agenda (plan) that he wants implemented -- disappointment is inevitable. By the same token, if he is violently allergic to bad news, and maybe even the news that HE is the problem -- OS will "work," but you will have a hard job convincing him that it did. Last thought -- I would never do an OS focused on the "Problem of Communication." It is much too nebulous, and more to the point it is a symptom and not the root cause. As a matter of fact I would suggest that the folks are communicating very well -- and the message is, "In your face, Baby" -- or whatever the Aussie equivalent may be. My theme would be something like, "What are the issues and opportunities for creating a project that really works?" That way there is sufficient space for everything to come out. Doubtless there would be some sessions on "communication" -- which probably won't go very far towards resolution. And there will be many more sessions on real work related issues and opportunities. Guess what -- folks will be communicating about stuff that matters. Have fun! Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20854 Phone 301-365-2093 Skype hhowen Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website www.ho-image.com OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Brendan McKeague Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 3:06 AM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: Open Space with Construction Engineers I have been provided with a challenge.... A colleague (an organisational psych and consultant) has introduced me to a Construction Alliance - a group of construction companies that have joined together to build a major 200klm long highway in Western Australia. They have been 'working' together (physically) for about a year and have become stuck around 'communication' - especially between the project managers, site engineers, supervisors working at the ground level. The professional HR company they hired to guide them through the human dynamics dimensions of their collaboration has not been very well received by the people - they have provided 'facilitated interventions' that seem to have added to the difficulties. My colleague suggested they try Open Space and arranged the conversation yesterday with two senior managers in the Alliance - at which they expressed that they needed a process that would allow people to feel trusted and respected, not be treated like children at school, and to be able to raise and deal with the issues that were causing them problems - mainly lack of communication. It was obvious (to me and my colleague) that they needed some Open Space - and after explaining what it is and how it works - they agreed that this would be wonderful....except - that they didn't think it work with engineers and construction workers....AND - they would have trouble 'selling' it to the Alliance Director. Funny how the managers clearly identified that what these folks wanted was trust and respect for their views - and this was what they wanted too - and then baulked at the methodology that would deliver this...! So, I have had a call today from my consultant colleague who reports that they have said: a) their boss might go along with it if they could assure him that there would be a Plan B in place - if it falls apart then the Org Psych would step in and rescue (to which I will say something like---mmmm, that wouldn't really work for me!) b) are there any case stories of Construction Companies using this method - and it worked? (I chuckle - inwardly- when folks think that being in construction - or whatever- somehow means that they are distinct from the rest of the human species! reminds of Michael Herman's story 'can Catholics do this?') My request I can relate Harrison's story about AT&T Olympic Village at Atlanta - which is primarily a design team - are there any others involving Construction Engineers that spring to mind? With thanks Brendan from a very hot Western Australia * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
