Snippets of a great corporate open space story by Kenny Moore, author of the CEO and the Monk: One Company’s Journey to Profit and Purpose.
Meetings were held, discussions were had and individuals were identified: somewhat akin to the Spanish Inquisition…
The fact that there were almost 400 people in this newly combined I/T department and that they were intimately responsible for the $1 billion savings, all seemed to make the CIO a little edgy, and on occasion, apoplectic. I believe someone also let it slip that his future career was somewhat connected to fixing these “minor personnel issues” as well as delivering on the one billion bucks.
“If you’re truly looking to fix this problem, you’ll need to do something like an ‘Open Space’ to turn this situation around.”
With executive alacrity, he barked: “Well, then, we’ll do it.”
“Do what?” I replied. “Why, we’ll do an ‘Open Space.'”
Plans proceeded quickly. We booked the entire facility, using the Grand Ballroom as the central gathering point for the crowd of 400.
One off-site event does not a triumphant merger make. Our future success, as a corporate community as well as a global one, does not reside in offering bribes, incentive plans or clearly articulated measurable goals. It lies elsewhere. It dwells within. Confronting people with their freedom is what’s required.
Inviting, convening and listening need to replace commanding, legislating and critiquing.