[Dialogue] Who remembers?

[Sherwood Shankland]

Greetings from Fairfax...

The Feet-on-the-table conversations and the Problem Solving Unit are both
done in a more laid-back posture to explore new territory...

The conversation is just that, 30 - 60 minutes (preferably with beer) on a
topic like ... "Since we are in our late 50's - what might our 'work' look
like in our late 60's or later?" Sort of the early stages of discernment
might be another description...by the way, our colleagues in Indonesia
objected big time to feet being placed on the table - since exposing the
sole or your shoe or foot to the gaze of you neighbor is considered an
insult, or bad luck. (one of those diverse cultural affiars).

A PSU - is more like a week-end retreat on a "new" topic...like "How do we
replicate these demonstration villages once they are started?" or as Eunice
and I have recently done: "What are the key questions that our local church
needs to be brooding on to prepare for a new long-range planning effort?"

Any other examples out there?

Cheers, Sherwood


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Walters" <walters at alaweb.com>
To: <Dialogue at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 2:09 PM
Subject: RE: [Dialogue] Who remembers?


I remember something called PSUs in 1970 which ithink sstood for
Problem Solving Units. The first one I participated in was a month or
two after thw simeer program on the Local Church Experiment. Would
this be same a as what you are calling  "Feet on the Table"
discussions?

David

---- Original Message ----
From: carlos at zervigon.com
To: Dialogue at wedgeblade.net
Subject: RE: [Dialogue] Who remembers?
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2004 12:29:04 -0500

>Wayne
>
>I still use the term "Feet on the Table" and according to my
>recollection
>the method was described as an open dialogue of thinking out loud
>that was
>best suited for a situation where as a group there is not sufficient
>clarity
>for utilization of methods that imply a targeted outcome. The feet on
>the
>table image as I recall was to symbolize slowing down and having a
>stewing
>session. Probably the "open dialogue" context described in Peter
>Senge's
>"Team Building" section in "The Fifth Discipline" would best describe
>the
>etiquette of such a session.
>
>Carlos R. Zervigon, PMP, President
>Zervigon International, Ltd.
>Project Management Training, Facilitation and Consulting
>carlos at zervigon.com
>http:\\www.zervigon.com
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
>[mailto:Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Wayne - Home
>Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 11:13 AM
>To: Colleague Dialogue
>Subject: [Dialogue] Who remembers?
>
>Who remembers our "Feet on the Table" conversations?
>
>I remember them as fascinating and I listened and learned a great
>deal.
>
>When did they start? I remember a couple in 1970, but they may not
>have
>been the first ones.
>
>Was there ever anything like a method or a set of understanding about
>how
>to conduct them or how to participate? I missed it if there was, but
>I
>figure there must have been some contexting. Anybody recall it?
>
>I've been fascinated with the "conversation" movement. It's kind of a
>
>movement - I think. One of those trends that you'd like to see go
>somewhere. I think we have something to contribute tthat can help
>this
>trend blossom. I might do an article for our website. I'd like to be
>able  to see what our thinking in this area has been.
>
>What's your experience  with the "conversation" movement? I know our
>colleagues have been in touch with Jawarski, Wheatley and Peck . It
>would
>be interesting to hear some reflections.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Wayne
>
>
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