Wave Rider: Leadership for High Performance in a Self-Organizing World (Book)
Harrison Owen, Author.  San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2008.

Harrison Owen, the developer of Open Space Technology and an Anglican priest, reviews the history of Open Space and explains why it works. (A key principle is that "All human systems are self-organizing and naturally tend toward high performance provided the essential conditions are present and sustained.")

Owen further explores the practices that leaders can apply to foster high performance among those they are leading. Great leaders are wave riders, "curious people possessed of an innate capacity to go with the flow, constantly seizing upon opportunity when others see no possibility, or even disaster…" An example is Gandhi, who knew when to "be there in the present moment, apparently doing nothing" but in reality accomplishing enough to change a nation.

This book offers guidelines for religious leaders who are so attached to results that they do not contribute to the conditions that can bring them about. There are some antidotes here to the "control freak" in any of us that allow us to see the dead end to which the illusion of control leads. There are some self-corrective principles that allow a leader to get a big-picture perspective on how lasting and sustained performance occurs within organizations. And there are insights and practices for those who do more and more while missing out on the accomplishing power of presence—and being with congregants in ways that promote their ownership of significant actions.

This book will help leaders reflect upon the deep assumptions and images of leadership that guide their actions.

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See also these resources:

Open Space Technology: A User's Guide (Book)
Harrison Owen, Author.  San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler, 2008.
Harrison Owen explains how to facilitate Open Space Technology gatherings. Such meetings are especially helpful when diverse individuals "must deal with complex and potentially conflicting material in innovative and productive ways."

Creating the Future Together: Methods to Inspire Your Whole Faith Community (Book)
Loren B. Mead, Billie T. Alban, Authors.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2008.
Two pioneers of organizational change bring various methods of change to religious communities. Large Group Methods offer viable ways to broaden the conversation so that everyone is included in visioning and implementing change.