"OST always works because the 4 Principles always, inherently work because they reflect the truth."
The principles also create the conditions for the truth that is there to emerge. I agree, that most people do want to choose a truth that embodies love and connection. I saw this happen again in the last couple of weeks. The Dean's of Education of all major Universities in Ontario met with the College of Teachers an the Ontario Teacher's Federations to explore how to "reclaim professionalism". Many factors have militated against a self-managing profession that is proud and capable - including a number of new government policies being implemented by some of the people in the room. The eveing speaker presented the forces against professional educators in dramatic fashion the night before. His was not an "appreciative" presations but took strips off the corporate sector, the government, academia and the teacher federations for loosing education as the primary focus. His analysis was searing and well presented. I did not know the details of his presentation, but it was a given when I joined the planning team. The impact was still strong by the next morning when I opened the space. There was less energy and fewer topics than I would have expected. (My assumption was that the "expert" was soo thurough in critically taking apart everything that fewer participants believed that they had what it took to address the issues.) So, even though it was slow it did start and then went. The energy was over after three rounds of OS discussions. A fourth was possible, but not wanted and so we moved to the "faculty area groups" convergence process earlier. In these groups, based on geography, faculties and their federation contacts applyied what they had learned. When they very briefly reported back to the room on their next steps people were amazed at what had been learned and the kinds of steps the particpants were ready to take. The closing was full of excitement and energy and praise for Open Space. One University is already purusing an Education Faculty Open Space and two potential trainees are wanting to learn how to do it. Much of what the speaker had said was seen by the participants to be the "truth" even though it was difficult. Once in Open Space, they began the conversations that allowed them to see what they could do in response to their understanding. They strenghthened connections and saw some paths forward. Again, the event worked even with beginning with negaitve energy. Ongoing impact is yet to be seen, but there will be some collective and well as individual impact. This is close to the 10th major Open Space sponsored by the Teachers Federation who have come to see substantial value in both the process and the impact of each of the conversaitons/events. Are they an "Open Space organizaiton" -- maybe. Do they see the value of the emergent and now recognize the opportunities to practice it with OST? I think so. Larry Larry Peterson Associates in Transformation Toronto, ON, Canada 416.653.4829 <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] <http://www.spiritedorg.com> www.spiritedorg.com * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
