Birgitt: I completely agree with you about the need to not characterize or stereotype people. Perhaps I could add a couple of thoughts... I find that I am sometimes blindsided by assumptions I've made about people either because I've not examined them (the assumptions) or because I'm wrapped up in an unexamined fear of not measuring up. So when I saw the postings about doing OS with police officers, I assumed that it came from a concern to do well rather than a bias toward police officers or any other group. And I saw the responses as reassurance. I had an experience once when I was a very new consultant of faciliation with some Cdn armed forces folks where I felt completely intimidated (I think one officer meant to do it) but it taught me some valuable lessons finding out in advance how people would react to certain kinds of processes. I should say that they weren't my client. Another consultant had called me in to contribute to the facilitation and so I didn't have as much influence on the overall process as I would have if it had been my client. And in retrospect, I can imagine that Open Space would have worked brilliantly. But examining the assumptions about a group you are about to work with, checking them out, and being open to new information is important pre-work (and ongoing work) for ourselves to do as consultants. With great respect, Esther
Esther Ewing The Change Alliance - Assisting Individuals and Organizations to Build Capability _www.ChangeAlliance.com_ (http://www.changealliance.com/) 330 East 38th St, Suite 53K New York, NY 10016-9804 212-661-6024 Authorized Distributor, Panoramic Feedback _www.panoramicfeedback.com_ (http://www.panoramicfeedback.com/) * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
