If anyone wants to successfully complete group projects then good collaboration is a necessity. After reading the Collaborative Process article I thought of a good idea for a meeting or workshop.
Put some of the material on a pamphlet and leave it people’s chairs or hand it to them when they arrive at the door.
This would really give people food for thought. They will understand why they are here and what it will take from them for an encouraging result at the end of the day. Most importantly it’s a set of guidelines rather than orders for successfully working together.
I couldn’t agree more that the basic building block for success is trust. Patiently listening and analyzing what has been said seems very difficult when tensions are high or outcomes uncertain. As long as everyone feels comfortable around each other and they all share a common goal then these problems should be minimized.
The “Open Space Participation Process” and “Internalized Obstacles to Creative Collaboration” are what I had in mind to put in the pamphlet when people arrive. Common purposes are stated, everyone can see everyone when they speak, and there’s an agenda for people to follow.
By agenda I don’t mean rules but options and ideas for people to operate efficiently. I really agree with cultural conditioning and the negative effects it can have.
-Freudian drives – lower self must be subdued and disciplined by a higher, civilized self
-Puritan work ethic – your production determines your worth
-Resulting fears of imperfection and conflicted motives that prohibit initiative and inhibit needed risk taking
To undo this conditioning people must have time for:
-Meals, sleep, meetings
-Free time, recreation, leisure reading
-Socializing
-Healthy recreation, like swimming, running, tennis, etc.
-Routines, such as daily commutes, classes, medical appointments, etc.
It’s pretty obvious but these principles are overlooked far too much. It’s like that saying don’t bring your problems to work with you. That’s difficult for a lot of people including myself. If things are really tough bottling up that tension is really asking for problems. That is why you have to let off that steam and aggravation. I thought it would be great to have punching bag in a separate sound proof room for people to yell, hit, and kick all their problems aside before getting started on any kind of work. Get what was bothering them off their chest. Having some kind of recreation to get your mind and body in harmony also helps. That’s why there is Physical education, intramurals, sports leagues, pick up games and athletic fields at corporations like People are at their best when they are relaxed and their mind at ease.
These things also give interaction for people to socialized, form friendships, and form trust. People will look at one another as someone who shares common interests, ideas, and objectives. Ultimately there will be productive work and positive energy between people rather than uneasiness.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Sustainability
Are We Sustained?
After looking over the sustainability survey it is very alarming that a lot cities and even towns have poor ratings. I see all three categories quality of life, public information, and transit as stepping stones to an overall rating of a place. First focus on quality of life. Then gradually work toward the overall goal of sustainability. Does everyone have the opportunity to have clean and affordable housing? Does everyone have not only healthy food but enough food? How are people able to gather and socialize? What is in their communities’ that enables them to interact with nature? Once everyone has shelter, food in their stomach, and period of relaxation people’s creative juices start to flow because their happy. It’s the simple things that make people happy.
Now start on working on ideas to develop and sustain an economy. I believe the key fact in this survey is to inform. Inform all what needs to be done and rely on everyone’s ideas to make it happen. I read it later in the reading that to develop a vision it will defined by the people using it, not pros or public agencies. So far we have reached step two of a three step process. People are sheltered, fed, are economically, socially, and educationally inclined. Now work toward a reliable and effective way of moving the population to get there.
I believe this question should be the starting point in analyzing a specific transit system:
How well do paths link homes with public places: schools, shops, parks, libraries, and employment?
Then focus of the amount of time and type of transit. It should be important to separate certain modes of transit or make these modes safe enough to work together. Are there clear and protected walking paths for people of all ages? Will light rail or bus be effective enough to discourage the use of a car? If not then make it. I believe the ideal use for a car is for long trips or hauls, not for daily activities and routines.
Learning and Intelligent Cites
This was very good reading to understand the importance of making learning institutions, employment centers, and public/private institutions as one collaborative force. Time and knowledge is wasted when each entity tries to work for their own good. Output, commerce, livelihood and the three steps for sustainability are almost useless if the city or region can not come together as one.
The eleven guidelines below were used to define planning in dynamic and common sense terms. These should be almost like a constitution for communities to follow when making decisions. If there’s any debate or question refer to these principles.
1. The community is the expert (they know from experience…what's special…)
2. You're creating a place—not a design (…maintained, safe, accessible…)
3. You can't do it alone (innovative ideas, finances, marketing, activities…)
4. They'll always say, “It can't be done.” (meaning “we've not done that before”)
5. You can learn a lot just by observing (how people actually use environments, elements)
6. Develop a vision (defined by people who will use it…not pros or public agencies)
7. Form supports function (failed spaces reflect lack of knowledge about actual uses)
8. Make the connections (foster many activities that are mutually reinforcing)
9. Start with the petunias (build momentum with quick upgrades)
10. Money is not the issue (the public's sense of whether or not they will benefit is)
11. You are never finished (success depends on being cared for well)
After looking over the sustainability survey it is very alarming that a lot cities and even towns have poor ratings. I see all three categories quality of life, public information, and transit as stepping stones to an overall rating of a place. First focus on quality of life. Then gradually work toward the overall goal of sustainability. Does everyone have the opportunity to have clean and affordable housing? Does everyone have not only healthy food but enough food? How are people able to gather and socialize? What is in their communities’ that enables them to interact with nature? Once everyone has shelter, food in their stomach, and period of relaxation people’s creative juices start to flow because their happy. It’s the simple things that make people happy.
Now start on working on ideas to develop and sustain an economy. I believe the key fact in this survey is to inform. Inform all what needs to be done and rely on everyone’s ideas to make it happen. I read it later in the reading that to develop a vision it will defined by the people using it, not pros or public agencies. So far we have reached step two of a three step process. People are sheltered, fed, are economically, socially, and educationally inclined. Now work toward a reliable and effective way of moving the population to get there.
I believe this question should be the starting point in analyzing a specific transit system:
How well do paths link homes with public places: schools, shops, parks, libraries, and employment?
Then focus of the amount of time and type of transit. It should be important to separate certain modes of transit or make these modes safe enough to work together. Are there clear and protected walking paths for people of all ages? Will light rail or bus be effective enough to discourage the use of a car? If not then make it. I believe the ideal use for a car is for long trips or hauls, not for daily activities and routines.
Learning and Intelligent Cites
This was very good reading to understand the importance of making learning institutions, employment centers, and public/private institutions as one collaborative force. Time and knowledge is wasted when each entity tries to work for their own good. Output, commerce, livelihood and the three steps for sustainability are almost useless if the city or region can not come together as one.
The eleven guidelines below were used to define planning in dynamic and common sense terms. These should be almost like a constitution for communities to follow when making decisions. If there’s any debate or question refer to these principles.
1. The community is the expert (they know from experience…what's special…)
2. You're creating a place—not a design (…maintained, safe, accessible…)
3. You can't do it alone (innovative ideas, finances, marketing, activities…)
4. They'll always say, “It can't be done.” (meaning “we've not done that before”)
5. You can learn a lot just by observing (how people actually use environments, elements)
6. Develop a vision (defined by people who will use it…not pros or public agencies)
7. Form supports function (failed spaces reflect lack of knowledge about actual uses)
8. Make the connections (foster many activities that are mutually reinforcing)
9. Start with the petunias (build momentum with quick upgrades)
10. Money is not the issue (the public's sense of whether or not they will benefit is)
11. You are never finished (success depends on being cared for well)
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