Tag: #leadershipdesign

Posted on

Modified Open Space Technology

I learned something recently in hosting a group in what I would call a “modified open space.”

The client had already set up the room of tables. It wasn’t classroom style, but it was eight large rounds with eight chairs at each. Fortunately there was ample space around the sides of the table — lots of wall space. The intent was to use the tables as the meeting spaces. It was quite tight.

OK, no problem. I’ve worked with these modified formats before. I scoped out a few hall spaces that would be easy to pull a few couches and chairs together at. It would give people some room to talk and some space to move. Check.

I have experience invoking the spirit of open space technology, even though we couldn’t start in a round. Did it on this occasion too. Market place set up on the wall. Posters for principles and roles on another wall. Good.

Here’s what I noticed. When the market place was opened to populate, a noticeable amount of talking was taking place. Yes, some of it was about topics to host. Yes, some of it was about people conferring on topics. But there was a lot of chatter, something near “bad behavior” I would say. The attention to people announcing their topics felt very low.

Fast forward, the open space worked well. Ten groups convened. They scribbled notes and insights on some harvest templates. The energy in the room shifted, as I love when it does, to the people owning their process. Good, right.

However, my takeaway learning and assertion is that the opening circle in open space creates a different kind of relationship among the larger group. There is an accountability to each other that is different when sitting in the circle than when sitting at already separated tables. There is a different or decreased feeling for the whole of the group working together as a group when at separated tables than when in that opening circle.

It won’t be the last time that I do a modified open space. I’m ok with experimenting and breaking form. However, if I were teaching it for people who want to learn the process, oh boy, I’d point to the importance of the artistry of open space in that opening circle, not just the mechanics of creating that bulletin board.

Posted on

Enough Words

Mile 2Yesterday I was involved in a very good and very helpful design day. I was with Teresa Posakony, Chris Corrigan, and Caitlin Frost. It’s a treat when we get to do this work together.

We are in Gallup, New Mexico, preparing for an event with our Navajo friends and colleagues: The Art of Leadership in Restoring Resilience. We are teaching and offering many things with them (I love how they reference shared teachings as medicine). We are also learning from — these people and this culture have much, much to offer.

Teresa, Chris, Caitlin and I talked about purpose. We gave good attention to reading bios of the participants coming. We shared some of our current learning with one another. Asked each other questions. We shared many thoughts and good words together. It’s good to evolve edges together isn’t it.

At the end of the day, we treated ourselves to a 90 minute hike. Two pictures from that hike are below. We began at the Gamerco Trailhead just north of Gallup, and walked in two miles. It’s a sandy kind of trail, often about three feet wide, used by both hikers and mountain bike riders. It’s a big sky landscape, in the high desert that winds through juniper, sage, and the occasional flowering cacti. Though we talked in little pockets along the way, it was mostly a space of “enough words.”

I need those kind of times and those kind of friends. When the winding, quiet path helps integrate the good words of the day. There are many mediums for good learning individually and collectively, aren’t there. And for resilience. I love the ones that cap with a sunset like this, when really nothing needs to be said.

Sunset Near Gamerco

 

Proudly powered by WordPress

Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

This will close in 60 seconds

asd
In My Nature is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

This will close in 60 seconds

asd
Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

This will close in 60 seconds