Dear Chris and all
Spot on, Chris. For my money.
I confess to never having used the word "givens" in any context with a
client. Ever.
But I know the concept is important for me to understand and be aware of
and take into consideration when I am working through the formulation of
the THEME with the client. The concept helps. The word seems not to.
And, without getting into trouble with other LIST-ers, I sense that
over-concentration on the "Givens" as they are called, simply disallows
the surprise and openness of what we embark on once space is opened.
If the OCSO concept is correct, then we surely see givens - at best - as
basic elements or foundations from which and on which the space
inhabitants will likely build and grow to better the conditions and
activities they are involved in.
My insighting.
Cheers and blessings, BRIAN
Chris Corrigan wrote:
Larry Peterson wrote:
I do think that “givens” are a myth, a social construction, at least at
one level of consciousness.
However, most of my clients have some substantial social constructions,
including the “theme”, which gives shape, direction and boundaries to
the self-organizing they want to accelerate or engage with OST. They
also have some personal and organizational “karma” that will still be
around after an OST event and will affect what is done with the
resulting ideas and cultural changes. I find that some articulation of
these ahead of time makes it more, not less, possible to move forward
with what emerges during and after an OST event. I have found that it
frees people up to know where the sponsors are.
I totally agree Larry. I have always thought of "givens" as really just
a clear articulation of what we have to play with. If we understand
these well , then it invites people to be really creative in finding a
way around them. There is a real art to communicating these in a way
that is inviting transformation rather than limiting engagement.
For example, I have used before the example of the givens of human
flight. It is a given that gravity and our body shape prevents us from
flying. But understanding exactly what gravity is means that we can use
our bodies to build a machine that will overcome these givens.
I think "givens" are not about the span boundaries of impossibility, but
funnels which invite us to deeper possibility.
Chris
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Fr Brian S. Bainbridge
0412 111 525
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