4 Principles and 1 Law Expansion Ideas

[Jeff Aitken]

Mike, I agree that these are well covered in the User's Guide, and as I
write down what I usually say, it's pretty close to what Harrison has
written, or I've heard someone say. Still, I wrote down that section of my
usual opening, so here it is. Of course there are slight variations. -- Jeff

"There are four principles in open space. I'd like to invite you to repeat
after me...

Whoever comes are the right people. As I said, I believe that the people
gathered here are just the right people to spend this time together on this
theme. This principle also means that if you convene a session, we will
stipulate that just the right people will be there to work with you on your
topic or question. No need to worry about who is not there.

Now what if you offer a session and nobody comes? It could be that you are
a visionary, a genius, and no one has quite caught up to your visionary
thinking. So you might spend the time by yourself, contemplating your
topic, preparing for the time when others will be ready to work with you.
On the other hand, it could be feedback from the universe that yours is a
topic whose time has passed, and this is a gentle way for you to get the
news. In any case, it is your choice how to respond if nobody comes.

Whenever it starts is the right time. You will notice that the post-its say
10:30 - 12, 12 - 1:30, and so on. But the spirit does not wear a
wristwatch. As George Carlin said, you never see a memo dated 9:01 am. Open
space is an invitation to pay attention to when the spirit rises and a
conversation begins. So whenever it starts is the right time.

Whatever happens is the only thing that could have. This does not mean that
everything is pre-ordained. It does mean that at the end of the day, when
you look back, you will notice that the quality of your learning and
contributing has been based on the choices you made. Personal
responsibility. It also means that if there is any topic that you care
about that has not been raised, the person responsible for that is, as
Harrison says, sitting in your seat.

When it's over it's over. So if you convene a session, and have a great
conversation, and your business is done in thirty minutes, there is no
reason to sit and stare at one another. If you agree that it's over, you
may go somewhere else. Personal responsibility again.

The corollary is, when it's not over, it's not over. Don't stop a spirited
session just because of the clock. You may have to negotiate with people
who are coming to start a session in that location, but you may keep going
if the spirit moves you.

There is one law in open space, called the law of two feet, or the law of
mobility. People get around in different ways, but the law is this: if at
any moment you find you are not learning, or not contributing, where you
are, you may go somewhere else. Honor the people you are with, but go
somewhere else. It can also mean that if you are not getting your needs
met, you might stand up on your two feet, literally or metaphorically, and
say I'm not getting my needs met, and this is what I need.

Two creatures tend to show up when the law of two feet is in effect. The
first is the bumblebee. What's the function of a bumblebee? ...
Cross-pollination. You know who you are! You will go from group to group,
telling this group what's going on in the other group, making connections.
Those of you who are bumblebees are quite welcome in open space.

The second is the butterfly. What's the function of a butterfly? ... To
stand around looking beautiful. A butterfly might not go to any sessions.
You'll be standing by the food, or outside in the sun, and someone will
notice you and come up to start a conversation. It's possible that this
will be the conversation which transforms this organization! And it never
would have happened if you were not true to yourself. So butterflies are
also quite welcome in open space."













-
Jeff Aitken
Inverness Ridge, CA USA
415.669.1924
JA at svn.net
Trainings in open space process:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/wwbb/Forum1/HTML/000022.html

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