Session E - Pre-Conference Workshop
Jon Bergstrom and Steve Byers on
Action Learning for Group Collaboration
 

Tony Brown

Jon's Biography: Jon provides a wide range of business consulting services through the Bergstrom Learning Center in Tehachapi, California. Prior to his recent retirement, he worked for Shell Oil Company for 35 years in a variety of engineering and management positions.

Through his consulting practice, he assists organizations in Leadership and Management, Strategic Planning, Organizational Success, Executive Coaching, Personal Mastery, Systemic Thinking, Team Skills, Change Leadership, Meeting Planning and Facilitation, and Conflict Management.

He has provided team skills workshops to more than 800 students at International Space University since 2000. The workshops for the Masters Program in Strasbourg, France and the summer sessions at locations around the world provide students with concepts and processes that enhance their team experience at the university.

Website: Jon's website can be accessed at www.websweare.com/bergstrom.

Contact: Jon can be reached by e-mail at jonbergstrom@sbcglobal.net for additional information about this pre-conference session.

Tony Brown

Steve's Biography:
Steve received his Masters Degree in Organization Systems Design and Renewal (www.osr-nw.org) from Seattle University. He is now building a consulting practice in Olympia, Washington. As an internal and external consultant, Steve has designed and delivered workshops and seminars about feedback, inquiry, systems thinking, and organization renewal. One popular workshop is “Thinking About Thinking” which includes the Six Thinking Hats of Edward de Bono. The World Café especially interests Steve since he participated in a Café of 700 people at a Pegasus conference. He enjoys designing and working on meaningful questions with others, and the spirit of community that seems to always emerge.

Steve is deeply involved with the In2:InThinking Network, a group of people who explore how we think in organizations. He is an enthusiastic participant in the annual "Systems Thinking in Action" (STIA) conferences presented by Pegasus Communications (www.pegasuscom.com), and in Olympia leads a group of local STIA participants in activities to continue the energy between national conferences. Steve invites these colleagues to a monthly First Thursday conversation at Traditions Café.

Contact: Steve can be reached by e-mail at smbyers@comcast.net for additional information about this pre-conference session.


Workshop Title: Action Learning for Group Collaboration

Date: Thursday, April 17th

Length: 3 hours (1:15-4:15pm)

Location: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - 6633 Canoga Avenue, Canoga Park

Workshop Cost: None

Description: This workshop will provide every participant with an opportunity to learn and use group action learning in their workplace. The process that will be described can surface the most difficult and complex issues that we face in our daily activities, and provides the opportunity for participants to ask questions about the issues and desired direction.

The open inquiry and reflection often lead people to completely reframe their thinking on their own issues. New possibilities always emerge that could not be seen going into the process. This is a profoundly different approach to individual and organizational learning, and can make for a more energizing and successful place to work.

Target Audience: TBD

Organization Issues: Each of us can use our collaborative time more wisely and learn more effective questioning techniques in all our interactions.

Objectives: Upon completion of the workshop, participants should be able to put this process into action in their workplace. In this workshop, participants will;

  • Learn a powerful group process that provides a collaborative opportunity to expand our views and open up new possibilities.
  • Learn new listening and questioning techniques that can help in reframing our basic assumptions.
  • Engage in exercises that will anchor the concepts and essential skills.
  • Learn keys to success in building your own action learning group.

Workshop Handouts: Available for download after the Forum