In a dynamic and forward-thinking move, the entire staff of John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (JSR) recently embarked on a two-day Open Space facilitation journey aimed at enhancing their whole-of-school cultural transformation. This transformative endeavour, facilitated by Michael Prince and Travis Fitch from Oasis People and Culture, sought to foster a deeper and broader level of engagement in the ongoing shaping of the school's culture.
Under the leadership of Principal Jason Bartell and his dedicated Executive Team, over the past two years, JSR has embarked on a path of enabling and empowering distributed leadership, promoting a collaborative and inclusive approach to the school's growth. The core question that guided this recent transformative experience was both thought-provoking and inspiring: "How can we nurture a richer understanding and experience of our culture as expressed in our relationships, commitments, and actions toward each other and all members of our community?"
Utilising Open Space Technology, under the theme "Cultivating Connections," provided an opportunity for all staff members, across primary, secondary, and non-teaching roles, to engage in meaningful conversations. These conversations aimed at exploring, reflecting upon, and leading discussions of significance within the school's community.
Over the course of two days, participants formed new connections and collaboratively worked towards shared possibilities. These interactions not only strengthened the culture within JSR but also set the stage for enhancing connections within the staff and the broader community. Through this innovative approach, JSR's commitment to creating a positive and thriving environment for both students and staff became even more evident.
Kane McLachlan, Year Level Coordinator and Digital Technologies Teacher at JSR, expressed his appreciation for the process and for Michael and Travis as facilitators, noting their genuine care for the individuals they work with.
“This sentiment resonated across the staff, as [Travis and Michael] helped pave the way for meaningful conversations and actionable plans,” Mr McLachlan said.
So, what’s with Open Space and how was it effective?
The success of JSR's Open Space facilitation shines a spotlight on the effectiveness of Open Space Technology as a tool for enabling inspired meetings and events. This approach, developed over the past three decades, has demonstrated its ability to unlock the potential of organisations and their people, creating extraordinary results through collaborative efforts.
Open Space meetings thrive in complex environments with diverse stakeholders, where passion for resolution and potential for conflict run high. This intentional approach to self-organisation harnesses the collective wisdom of participants, leading to robust solutions and rapid progress. In JSR's case, the Open Space facilitation provided a structured yet flexible framework that aligned perfectly with the school's unique needs and challenges.
As the conversations unfolded during JSR's Open Space experience, several key outcomes emerged:
Addressing Important Issues: All the critical issues that held significance for participants were brought to the forefront of discussions.
Expertise-Driven Solutions: The issues raised were addressed by participants possessing the expertise and capability to drive meaningful change.
Comprehensive Documentation: The extensive conversations, ideas, recommendations, and action plans were meticulously documented in a comprehensive report, offering a tangible outcome.
Efficient Focus and Prioritisation: Post-event, the collected insights could be efficiently focused and prioritised, even within large groups, thanks to the dedicated voluntary working groups that formed.
Rapid Implementation: These results could be quickly shared across the organisation, allowing for immediate implementation and engagement.
The success of JSR's Open Space journey highlights the power of this approach in nurturing collaborative, dynamic, and agile organisations. By embracing Open Space Technology, JSR has taken additional significant strides towards creating a vibrant and interconnected community, where each voice matters, and where positive change is a collective endeavour.
Jason Bartell's leadership, along with the commitment of the entire staff, exemplifies the potential for positive transformation when people come together with a shared purpose. As JSR continues its exciting and profound journey of cultural development, the lessons learned from this Open Space facilitation can serve as a guide for other organisations seeking this kind of transformation.
How could this approach to culture make a difference for your organisation?
If this story piques your interest in what might be possible for your own organisation, please don’t hesitate to make contact with an Oasis Team member directly or email info@oasispc.com.au.
** Content specifically unpacking the Open Space process and outcomes has been derived from the work of Michael J Wood, an experienced, Melbourne based, Open Space Facilitator and Professional Coach.