Conflict in OS and other questions

[Peggy Holman]

Please add anything that you think might be useful to Kevin.  In particular,
I suspect his question on conflicts in Open Space would benefit from a
variety of viewpoints.

Peg Holman

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Kevin O'Brien <kevinobrien at worldnet.att.net>
>To: osi at tmn.com <osi at tmn.com>
>Date: Wednesday, July 08, 1998 12:34 PM
>Subject: Open Space Technology
>
>
>>I just bought Harrison's User's Guide to OPT and devoured it in less than
a
>>day.
>>
>>What came to mind during the reading was if this could be used with
>>conducting retreats for people interested in a particular topic such as:
>>Passing on the family business; Story of a Man's Life; Being a Lawyer in
>>Litigious Times; or whatever.
>>
>>I have a couple of questions though.
>>
>>Has it ever happened that not enough issues/concerns or opportunities were
>>surfaced during the first session to fill all the time slots?  Also, how
do
>>you manage the time/space chart if a convener wants to meet at the pool
>>instead of one of the designated break out rooms?  Have there ever been
>>serious conflicts in one of the break out sessions and how was it handled?
>>
>>I would be very interested in knowing what your thoughts are on these
>>possibilities and questions.  I'm eager to do one myself.  I've been a
>>participant in a short OST workshop and found it to be a very good
>>experience.
>>
>>Sincerely,
>>
>>Kevin O'Brien
>>
>
>

-----Original Message-----
From: Peggy Holman, Open Space Institute <osi at tmn.com>
To: Kevin O'Brien <kevinobrien at worldnet.att.net>
Date: Monday, July 13, 1998 8:37 AM
Subject: Re: Open Space Technology


>Kevin,
>
>Sorry for the slow response.  I just returned from vacation last night and
>am catching up on e-mail.  I'm glad you're excited by Open Space.  The
>topics you listed all sound quite feasible.  What makes OS work is passion
>and responsibility, so when people care, they come and participate.  Open
>Space is a great approach for bringing people together to create what they
>want.
>
>On your questions, the answers are pretty straightforward:
>
>>Has it ever happened that not enough issues/concerns or opportunities were
>>surfaced during the first session to fill all the time slots?
>
>Posting sessions isn't that exacting.  There may be plenty of time slots
>left over.  Sometimes there may be more sessions than anticipated by the
>time/space matrix.  The important thing is the conversations people are
>interested in holding.  The number of sessions are simply the manifestation
>of what is important to people to spend time on.
>
>Also, how do
>>you manage the time/space chart if a convener wants to meet at the pool
>>instead of one of the designated break out rooms?
>
>During the opening, I'll generally let people know that if they want to
move
>their session or hold it in a different place, write it on the page so
>people know where to go.  If they are moving, they can also leave a note on
>the door of the original space.  Again, the quality of conversation or
>activity is what's important.  The logistics are best kept as simple as
>possible with people using their own good judgment and following what has
>heart and meaning for them.
>
>Have there ever been
>>serious conflicts in one of the break out sessions and how was it handled?
>
>There are many serious and passionate conversations between people with
>deeply conflicted views that have taken place in Open Space.  If, by
>conflict, you mean physical violence, I have never personally experienced
>that nor heard of anyone who has.  I have heard Harrison Owen say he
>believes this is the case because of the Law of Two Feet.  If someone is
hot
>enough to get physical, they have the option to walk away and cool off.
>
>This is a good question for the Open Space e-mail list.  I'm going to send
>it on and will copy you on that.
>
>You might want to take a look at some of the materials on the OS web site
if
>you haven't already:  www.tmn.com/openspace
>
>Please write or call if I can be of further help,
>
>Peg Holman
>Open Space Institute
>