What is the message of OST?

[Michael Herman]

this went only to martin.  he apparently requires the same special attention as
michael pannwitz! <grin>  reply to all...



Michael Herman wrote:

> marting and doug,
>
> i think some of these things martin is mentioning are good to test, but still
> i think these other orthodoxies you mention, martin, are important only in as
> much as they help people see/remember that ost works at a whole different
> level of relationship within org.  but as you say, as long as the potential is
> allowed/remembered, any shape will do.
>
> also, about doug's initial comment, i wrote a description the other day of ost
> in which i say that the opening of space in org (as facilitator or sponsor) is
> fundamentally a leadership decision and commitment to be leader(s) of people
> in motion.  ost removes some of the structures and with that some of the
> friction.  so that movement is easier.  and what the facilitator does is a lot
> LESS because it takes a lot LESS.  it's like being in outer space.  a little
> push will go a long way.  also why the initial conditions are so important.
> it's not so much, then, about the facilitator being in or out, but being VERY
> careful, teaching others that they can make smaller movements that still have
> great effects and outcomes.  it's enough, for instance, to just ask the
> question, we say, not having to bring the whole answer or solution.  and the
> more of the 'orthodoxies' of ost that we apply to a situation, the more
> careful (apparently removed) we need to be, and can be, and the more easy it
> is for those others present to see the power and possibility of deep easy at
> work.
>
> this then seems the bottom line.  how easy can we be?
>
> m
>
> Martin Leith wrote:
>
> > Douglas,
> >
> > Thank you for daring to challenge one of the orthodoxies of Open Space
> > facilitation.
> >
> > Here's how I (currently) see it:
> >
> > Open Space Technology is a 'tool' of co-creation.
> >
> > Co-creation means, among other things, 'we're all in this together'.
> >
> > So I guess this means that the facilitator is an equal player in the
> > co-creation process, not some external agent.
> >
> > Co-creation is not about delivering messages. Why? Because delivering
> > messages is an aspect of the old world of command and control, the world of
> > telling and selling.
> >
> > Maybe the facilitator stays out of the way unless feeling *deeply moved* to
> > participate - unless her or his non-participation does a disservice to the
> > group (for example, by witholding vital information or insights).
> >
> > Service or disservice ... who can say? Only us, right there in the moment.
> >
> > How about some more orthodoxy challenges? Here are a few for starters:
> >
> > * Participation must be voluntary
> >
> > * People start off sitting in a circle
> >
> > * The facilitator must walk the circle, and in a solemn manner
> >
> > * Always display the four principles and one law on the walls - oh, and be
> > sure to include a few pictures of butterflies and bees, or the magic won't
> > work
> >
> > * Post the session reports on the wall
> >
> > Thanks again Douglas. It's high time we challenged these basic assumptions.
> >
> > Martin
> >
> > Martin Leith, Now-to-New Catalyst
> > 17 Bedford Street, Brighton BN2 1AN, United Kingdom
> > Phone 01273 675322 (+44 1273 675322)  Mobile 07808 773713 (+44 7808 773713)
> > email ml at martinleith.com
> > • www.martinleith.com
> > • www.botai.org
> > _________________________________________________________
> >
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> --
>
> Michael Herman
> 300 West North Avenue #1105
> Chicago IL 60610
> 312-280-7838 voice
> 312-280-7837 fax
>
> http://www.michaelherman.com
> ...an invitation.

--

Michael Herman
300 West North Avenue #1105
Chicago IL 60610
312-280-7838 voice
312-280-7837 fax

http://www.michaelherman.com
...an invitation.

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