Marai,
Like Peggy Holamn, when I first encountered OST sometime in the
mid-90s I was struck by the simplicity and the welcoming, inclusive
spirit. Somewhat consistent with Harrison's observation, I find that
what some people call safety is what others may experience as
avoidance, denial, or external limit setting.
That is not to discount the notion of psychological safety, although,
as gifted as Dr. Edmondson is, I suspect she did not coin the term. I
was introduced to the concept in the late 70s, by people who had been
using it for a long time in much the same way as you defined it. We
were working with serious drug addicts, treatment people, judges and
police officers (including narcotics agents) who we were engaging in
dialogue about potential treatment strategies and public policy.
Getting a "junkie" and a "narc" to meet together required creating
psychologist safety and that's what we called it. I only wish I had
learned about Bohm's Principles of Dialogue and Open Space back then.
--
Shalom,
Chris Kloth
ChangeWorks of the Heartland
254 South Merkle Road
Bexley, OH 43209-1801
ph 614-239-1336
fax 614-237-2347
www.got2change.com
Think globally. Act locally.
Quoting Marai Kiele via OSList <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org>:
Dear colleagues,
Do you know what the core is, of what has drawn you to OST?
Last year I came across a word that describes both, a phenomena I
have experienced and cherished in OST as well as something that has
turned out to be a key ingredient to successful teams:
Psychological Safety
The term was coined by Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of
Leadership and Management, Harvard Business School.
It is referred to in a study by Google, which they undertook to
understand what distinguishes their successful teams from those who
do so-so.
Anyone interested in the subject? more here by Google:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZlSq_Hf08M
"Psychological Safety" means team members are safe to take risk and
be vulnerable in front of others. They know it?s okay or even
requested to speak up, disagree, admit mistakes, ask ?stupid?
questions or share a crazy idea. All of this without the fear of
loosing ?belonging? or lessen one's status within a group.
In the study this has proven to be by far the most important
ingredient for successful team work, even more important than
dependability, meaning, impact?
Years back, I found this beautifully described in other words by
Tova Averbuch, in her TEDx talk ?Opening Space to Collective Wisdom?
(hello Tova! :-) )
She opens with the words ?To be or to belong??a tension that I know
very well: Being fully myself or belonging to a group seemed often
in conflict. Especially during my time in the corporate world as a
product manager. Tova describes how in OST she has found both
together: ?being AND belonging". As I have, too.
Back to my opening question: Do you know what the core is, of what
has drawn you to OST?
I have realised that the phrase ?psychological safety? describes
that. That which is at the core of what has drawn me to OST.
Something I am dedicated to since years. For myself and in creating
spaces for others.
I am eager to explore this topic with others, both on this list as
in real time conversations. I?ll post a session in tomorrows
?Tuesday Open Space Hotline?.
Anyone else interested in this topic, please come to the OS Hotline
OR write on this list OR reach out to me directly.
From a sunny and cold evening in Bielefeld, Germany,
Marai
https://about.me/maraikiele <https://about.me/maraikiele>
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