Recently I did a two-day OS event for "Leadership Tomorrow" on the subject: Diversity: Issues, Opportunities, Concerns. It was part of their regular curriculum which they offer every year to a very very diverse class of Seattle "leaders" (75 or so people). The curriculum committee decided to use OST as the container for their diversity module and the "teachers" participated along with the "students" as equals in the module.
It was superb! The class rated it 4.75 out of 5.0.. the highest rating Jan Levy, the Director, could remember. AND, they want to use OST in their opening Retreat as well as to explore how to use the principals and rituals in their on-going work during the year. Some of the reflections mentioned: "Everyone was listened to, with respect." "We really behaved as "leaders"" "The first time I've ever been in a diversity "training" where true diversity happened." It tremendously advanced their "community" with each other. And many spoke of the practice of the Law of Two Feet (following what had heart and meaning for them as individuals) as being the foundation of leadership. As yet, we who were the convening group (The Director & faculty, and me) haven't been able to get together to reflect and debrief. But in the immediate aftermath, the faculty were ecstatic, very very enthusiastic about repeating this approach to diversity learning. So, I enthusiastically recommend this to all of you!! And I'd be happy to put you in touch with the faculty and the Director of Leadership Tomorrow. (It's a program that's in 450 cities in the country, run here by the Chamber of Commerce, and as I said, there's a special emphasis on gathering a very diverse group of leaders for each year's class.) Let me know if any of the rest of you have tried anything similar. All the Best!! Anne Stadler
