2009 17th WOSonOS
OPEN SPACE REPORT FORM
Topic Name HOLDING SPACE & LIVING IT – A BOOK ABOUT A PARISH CHANGE IN A CHURCH
Topic Number
Convenor Fr Brian S, Bainbridge
Participants (including Bumble Bees) Jay Hung, Gis, Jochen, David Chard
Insights, Questions Raised, Possible Actions, Recommendations, etc:
Some overview of the possible ways of changing organization culture, of working at making the new way of thinking the operating system for the organization, and of the successful way this has happened in the Bennettswood parish in Melbourne, Australia.
And that there is a set of stories now published (an e-book) illustrating the impact of this “new” way of thinking and its effect o the whole way the parish is now working after nearly five years.
David shared a story of a very successful Open Space, set up in an emergency situation where the CEO had forgotten to do anything about the company/staff annual meeting and “needed something”.
The CEO seemed to accept the whole package, and everything worked swimmingly – but then her refused to distribute the reports because “they wanted to do the wrong things”.
In the longer term, this may have worked out well because the CEO is now up against a wall and Some thought in moving towards changing his leadership style. In the short term, he lost the confidence and trust of his people, clearly.
Another story – a leader being “too open and too trusting” and then getting damaged by people whom he trusted using the openness to abuse the whole financial system. Open space doesn’t mean ignoring the normal checks and balances in a system, obviously.
Another story of a couple of senior executives in open conflict on budget decisions – and some thought about what could/should be done to address this sort of confrontation. A number of options canvassed. The need to “open more space” in such situations, as well as observe the Principle of Subsidiarity by which decisions will best be made at the point closest to where they apply.
Time frames and especially enforced artificial time frames often contribute to this kind of confrontation and difficulty.
A story about the importance of (from David C) having a clear purpose which is espoused by every member of the organization. This from the NASA story “We’re sending a man to the moon.”
Open space always works best by invitation, not by forced attendance – sometimes forgotten.
Holding space and LIVING it – some thoughts and sharing and stories (largely from Brian) about this aspect of how Open Space can and perhaps will continue to be a growing presence in our world
