Mr. Bruce Fein
Ms. Lois Fein
Intentional Development
99 Falcon Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
Dear Bruce and Lois:
I am writing on behalf of an extremely happy leadership team in Avaya to thank you for your transformational work using Open Space with us in October. Though we dared to hope the results would be so good, few people expected the total project turn-around that has happened from bringing people together in such a highly involving way to collaborate on issues they care about. You delivered everything you promised and more, and we want you to know just how big an impact you have had.
The task was huge: Ask nearly 200 people from three continents in a new spin-off to put aside distrust and competition and become a new, high-risk venture. Overcome the intense skepticism these technical professionals have for "team building" events in general and their sense of pressure from immediate deadlines.
If the need for a radical new mindset was not so clear, we might have talked ourselves out of bringing everyone together, face to face, in the Open Space format. We appreciate how calmly you were able to allay the planning team’s fears and your skill at building a sponsor team within the group to build confidence.
Once everyone was here physically, you brought them here in spirit by showing that this event was truly their event — their chance to make things happen on issues they’d been complaining about or privately struggling with for weeks. I watched smiles creep onto faces and eyes go wide as more and more people stood up and proclaimed a passion for convening a group on questions that no-one had dared ask out loud before. The level of honesty on the project suddenly got broad and deep. That’s when I was sure this was going to be a success!
I also appreciate how you kept the energy level high throughout the two days, interjecting fun and reflection on the process as well as on the results that were emerging. You kept all the behind the scenes logistics under control while always being available to the larger group. Your templates were clear and simple, and the Day 1 Document that you compiled was a powerful way to start Day 2.
Now that we have had time for follow-up, it is clear that your superb planning and implementation have resulted in major advances for our team at an unprecedented pace. Virtually all the significant action items for all ten of the highest priority Open Space groups have already been completed and several groups have continued to meet and go beyond the solutions that were determined during the Open Space. These groups took on a life of their own, where people from all parts of the organization took ownership for making sure they did what they committed to do in front of the whole team. Several of the other 19 items from the initial discussions were effectively closed at the Open Space session itself, and others have been worked since.
This commitment to action is an extraordinary breakthrough that has influenced the energy and productivity of the project way beyond the issues raised during the Open Space. People speak up, make commitments, and hold themselves and others accountable for changing what isn’t working, often referring to the rules and spirit of Open Space as they invite others to get down to business.
There is more to tell about this story because it is still unfolding. I thought you might like to hear some of the things that people wrote about you and Open Space in the post-session feedback. I can’t include all eight pages of "Oh Wow’s" but here is a representative sample:
"This [Open Space] was the best. Before the conference I could not comprehend how anything meaningful could come out of a gathering of 200 people. The Open Space Team Building really gave us the forum to be focused on real hot and burning issues. The forum is really results oriented. "
"This was a very productive way to hold a team building event. I enjoyed the forum and the ability to meet new people while understanding issues about the entire project. Let’s do it again!"
"It [the Team Building] demonstrated a deep corporate commitment to the project."
"It gave confidence to everyone about the project."
"Good to hear issues articulated (briefly) from areas of group you normally wouldn’t be associated [with] to be aware of the whole set of issues facing the project."
"Got to the heart of the issues."
"It feels like we are more one team now."
"Condensed development of relationships from six months to a couple of days."
"Open Space was a much better technique than I’ve ever been exposed to. Finally someone understands that developers aren’t touchy-feely."
"The Open Space concept exceeded my expectations. Usually at team building-like events, they tend to be much more about bonding than they do about fixing true problems that plague participants. The Open Space facilitators controlled the environment allowing the participants to control the content. I thought it was very successful!"
"The team building exercise surpassed my expectations ten-fold."
"I went to this team building kicking and screaming. When I came home, I was glad I went to it. That says a lot!"
"I was very apprehensive about spending 2-3 days team-building. I was expecting to play silly team building games. Having the team building activities tailored to the project was an excellent idea."
"You did a great job! The event was the best team building I’ve attended. Well organized, able to focus on the issues, and plenty of chances for sub-teams and individuals to interact. And it was fun!"
So, you see, this was a tough crowd, with tough issues, and Open Space was an astounding success. Thank you for creating the most talked about event of the year at Avaya and for accelerating our market success. You are wonderful to work with and true experts in your field. I’m looking forward to working with you again.
Sincerely,
Pamela Burke, Ph.D.
Leadership Development Coach
Avaya Inc.
Room 1C320
101 Crawfords Corner Road
Holmdel, NJ 07733