Opening Space "in house"

Sun Jan 23 22:05:39 PST 2000

After about 6 months lurking about the list serve, I am moved to speak.

Let me begin by saying how much I have enjoyed the stories, thoughts and
insights on this List Serve.  I am guessing that most people get introduced
to OS by attending a workshop or meeting done in Open Space.  A friend of
mine suggested using Open Space for a meeting once, I checked out the web
sight, and signed up for the list serve (I thought to myself, if it is
boring, I can always jump ship).

So to a certain degree, my thoughts about Open Space have been birthed by
you, the OS community (thanks by the way).

I have been living in Asia for more than 12 years, 95% in Taiwan, but also
working some in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Japan.  So as I started to read
about OS, I became hungry for more training and experience.

That hunger led me to Hamilton, Ontario a couple of weeks ago for a
training in Open Space with Birgitt Bolton.  My need was urgent as I wanted
to use OS for an important meeting in February, and she created a training
for myself (and two lovely others, and her dog and two cats!!).  She opened
up a space in me to see the possibility of Open Space in the company I work
for, in myself, and in Asia and the world (universe?) at large.

Having said all that, I do have a couple of questions:

1.  I am curious about how people have used Open Space in their own
companies.  I read Chris' story about the OS in Vancouver and tried to
imagine myself saying no to the "organizer" (our CEO).  (BTW, thanks for
the story Chris, I forwarded that part to my boss just to give him some
context for our meetings in early February).  Are there those on the list
serve that are using OS in their own company, and how do they find the
balance between the role of facilitator and the role of employee.

2.  I am curious about OS in multiple languages.  I want to introduce this
in many areas of our company, most of whom are Chinese.  We also have
offices in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and would like to offer a OS for
people from all areas.  I would love to hear stories of multi-language OS.

3.  I am sure there must be those who are practicing OS in Asia.  I am
particularly interested in experiences in Taiwan, China, Japan, Hong Kong
and Malaysia.  Again, stories and insights would make my day.

Thanks for the wisdom,

Jimbo

>From  Mon Jan 24 09:16:43 2000
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Subject: Re: Opening Space "in house"
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As a fellow lurker on the list serve I am finally moved to comment.
In a previous incarnation I was in charge of a large organization of
about 12,000 people.  I sent a senior emplyee off to be trained in
open space and he came back and did a session with senior line
and staff managers.  I was disappointed in the long term results but
thought we were just so embroiled in so many issues that it was
hard for people to get into anything else.  I have since taken the
training myself and done my very first open space event - for my
church.  I now feel that it is preferable to have an external facilitator
for open space.  Like you say it is hard for you to question or
challenge your boss.  Also we do bring some preconceived ideas
into the room which can cause us to say things that might close a
little bit of space.  Although my church open space was hailed as a
huge success I personally can see that it would have been better
run by someone who was not an active part of the community.  I
will be doing one for another chuch in two weeks so we will see
what the results are.  I think if we do open space for an
organization in which we are involved we have to be VERY careful
to maintain the distance that open space requires of facilitaors.

Date sent:              Sun, 23 Jan 2000 23:05:39 -0700
Send reply to:          OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From:                   Murli Nagasundaram <rismurli at cobfac.boisestate.edu>
Subject:                Opening Space "in house"
To:                     OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU