Can Organisations Learn LO16639

Richard C. Holloway (learnshops@thresholds.com)
Wed, 21 Jan 1998 21:06:26 -0800

Replying to LO16625 --

Bill--

I really like the "check-in" and "check-out" process, and have used it in
learning circles and open space. Virginia Satir advocated it's use, and
developed some excellent methods/procedures for the "30-second" check-in
within the workplace. I've found her work seeding much of what we do in
the Org. Development arena.

thanks for bringing it up here--I "wince" a little when cultural motifs
appear (like prayer). I guess that, at least living in this part of the
world, I'm continually reminded of the "other" point-of-view concerning
mainstream cultural values. In some of the work we do with tribal
communities, the meetings are often preceded by a prayer--in native
cultural traditions (like burning sweet grass {no--not that kind of
grass!} and fanning the smoke from the grass among the group to sanctify
the proceedings).

When there's a homogeneous cultural representation (something I rarely
know, unless the client can identify that), the generic check-in/out seems
to work best, and respects the spirit and the material.

regards,

Doc

Bill Harris wrote:

> I think the nervousness some expressed a while back at adopting parts of
> certain group's religious ceremonies for business purposes applies here,
> too (at the time, the discussion revolved around certain Native American
> ceremonies).
>
> However, I have used a "check-in" and "check-out" activity to achieve much
> the same purpose you were describing. I think you can find more about that
> in the Fieldbook, but I confess I didn't see "check-in" in the index.

-- 
"No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are
slippery and thought is viscous."   - Henry B. Adams


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