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
>>
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