Open Space with Peggy and Ann - How do we flip the center?

[Elaine Hansen]

At the recent Open Space gathering with Peggy Holman and Ann (can't remember Ann's last name), I participated in Deborah's conversation around the question, "How do we flip the center – power – dominant culture, systems, establishments?"

This question has been working on me since then. I didn't write the question down - so I don’t have the exact wording, but it related to how do we bring more equality and distribution of power into our workplaces and organizations (churches, etc.), our systems and processes? Bring all the voices to the conversation?

What if it has already flipped? AND We just don’t have eyes to see it.

As with most change, some of us our invested in the status quo and are resisting this change. They didn’t ask for this and they were happy with the status quo. It worked for them and they knew there place. There are also those for whom the status quo wasn’t working – BUT at least they knew what to expect and how to work within that system.

But, denial and resistance will not undo it. Things have changed.

When I saw the diversity of people who voted for Obama, I was struck that things had shifted when I wasn’t looking. I’ve been waiting along time for it to come AND when I wasn’t looking it happened!

Yes, it will take time for those in power to “get it” – But, that doesn’t change the reality that it has happened.

Large corporations are scrambling to right their ship, to return things to the status quo, command and control…and I think the ones who embrace the change will thrive and prosper during this time.

Timing is everything – and the economic crisis, the election of a man of African and European ethnicity as our new President, environmental crisis, Katrina, September 11, and more – it is the perfect storm to bring about dramatic change in a short time.

Here is a section from an online post I found by Harrison Owen (the developer of Open Space Technology) - http://www.openspaceworld.com/intro%20to%20pop.htm - If you don't have time to read the full blog, scroll down to the section labeled: Two Stories to Set the Stage - Harrison shares how they used Open Space technology in South Africa a few weeks after Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

We need this conversation in Cincinnati - in the USA - in the world...

If I really believe that our world has shifted, what is my part in facilitating this transition? How can I help others to embrace and discover, define the new future?

Do you want to join me? Do you think things have flipped? or are flipping?