Research Reminder
Larry Peterson
larry at spiritedorg.com
Tue Mar 15 06:21:01 PST 2005
Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber,
Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber, Ken Wilber
Alan has caught my many misspellings of Ken's last name. I seem to want
to spell it Wilbur. It reminds him of a cat.
My apologies to Ken Wilber and to Alan. I thought some practice might
help.
Larry
Larry Peterson
Associates in Transformation
Toronto, ON, Canada
416.653.4829
larry at spiritedorg.com
www.spiritedorg.com
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>From Tue Mar 15 09:38:51 2005
Message-Id: <TUE.15.MAR.2005.093851.0500.>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 09:38:51 -0500
Reply-To: diane.gibeault at rogers.com
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Diane Gibeault <diane.gibeault at rogers.com>
Subject: FW: Principles, Process, and People
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Hi,
Harrison you wrote: I am always blown away how "easily" firmly held
positions, never-to-be-change protocols, and rock solid
procedures are apparently dissolved in Open Space.
As participants and hosts people do come in with their prevalent mental
models and yes, our familiar procedures or that of our organization tend to
dominate. Most often these procedures are not as open as the principles of
Open Space Technology. To allow people to shift, to be and take their space
in a different way, a brief reminder of the "principles to create space" are
useful so people can let go of the old procedures and open up to the
simplicity and focus on what they have passion for.
As Shay said so well: Sometimes people need help getting from there to here.
And yes, with certain groups more familiar with letting go, a few words will
be sufficient to remind the principles that help create the space for
productive and passionate meetings.
Diane
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of
Harrison Owen
Sent: March 15, 2005 8:32 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Principles, Process, and People
Seamus wrote: "OS is simple. Tell people what you want to discuss, arrange
to meet and see what happens. But we have so much invested in our current
positions that it appears in some way to be a denial of ourselves if we
accept the simplicity of the solution. It seems to be the hardest thing in
the world to do is to forget how we got here. It seems to be the easiest
thing in the world to forget where we are going."
You got it right! In the for-profit world it is always amazing to me how
good rational folks will forgo major advantage -- to say nothing of $$$'s
simply in order to maintain what they perceive to be "control" of a
situation. This is such a strong tendency that I am always blown away how
"easily" firmly held positions, never-to-be-change protocols, and rock solid
procedures -- are apparently dissolved in Open Space. Suddenly the immovable
moves! And how did that happen? It has always been a mystery to me. Any
thoughts?
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland 20845
Phone 301-365-2093
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Seamus
McInerney
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 6:46 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Principles, Process, and People
I once came across a saying that went a bit like this: It is the function
of all great teachers to make things complicated enough for people to
understand. I heard it from a guy called Paul Solomon and he had some very
clever things to say.
I have an 18 year old son who is currently studying (or not) for his final
school exams next June. I am trying to help him with his maths. I've
discovered that when I point out an error (because I have a book of the
answers), he will go through a long winded process of telling me how what
he was doing was right. If I'd let him continue, and if A=B, pigs could fly
and the Beetles got back together, he would, in fact be right. He finds it
so hard to let go of where he is that he would rather not get the answer
than go back and start again.
OS is simple. Tell people what you want to discuss, arrange to meet and see
what happens. But we have so much invested in our current positions that it
appears in some way to be a denial of ourselves if we accept the simplicity
of the solution. It seems to be the hardest thing in the world to do is to
forget how we got here. It seems to be the easiest thing in the world to
forget where we are going.
Sometimes people need help getting from there to here. Sometimes people
need transition technologies to get from there to nearly here. Ultimately
if it works, it works. I am beginning to suspect of late that there are
circumstances in this life where the end does justify the means.
Regards
Shay
At 17:35 13/03/2005, you wrote:
>What is becoming clearer to me as this conversation moves along is that my
>initial discomfort with the "Trust the Process" frame of mind has nothing
to
>do with either the process (whatever that process might be) or the
>principles which under lie it. Rather it is my concern that we have placed
>our faith in arbitrary abstractions at the expense of some very concrete
>realities - The People. In a word, process and principles become primary,
>and the people are left in second place.
>
>I have profound respect for many of our processes in group work, and an
>equal respect for the principles which have been articulated as the
>under-pinnings. However, I think it is important to note that both the
>processes and the articulated principles are second order derivatives. They
>are our best guess as to how things might work. They are maps and not
>territories. But the primary point of reference is, and remains, the
people.
>If we have done our work well, the processes and principles articulated
will
>closely coincide with the actual structures and dynamics of the people
>(individuals and collective). And the proof of our success appears when the
>people are enabled to do better what they have always been able to do.
>
>Here on OSLIST we have had multiple and extended discussions of the process
>of Open Space and its principles. Specifically: The Four Principles and The
>Law of Two feet. I believe that discussion has been useful and worthwhile,
>but I also think it is important to recognize that both the Four Principles
>and the Law emerged from the Open Space experience - they did not and do
not
>create it. In a word, they are descriptive and not prescriptive. As a
matter
>of fact, Open Space "works" very well, thank you, without mention of
either,
>and in the first 3-4 years we opened a lot of space(s) without a trace
>(verbally) of the "sacred" principles and the critical Law. So why or how
>did they appear? In all honesty, I have to say there was no rational
>decision involved - it just seemed like a good idea at the time.
>
>But of course, good ideas come and go - and so why does mention of the 4
>Principles and The Law of Two Feet assume such a central place in the
>introduction? Explaining the mechanics is a five minute deal - but we
>typically take 15-20 minutes by way of introduction. Reasonable question:
>Why waste the time? Why not just cut to the chase and get on with the
>business?
>
>I obviously cannot answer for everybody, but for myself I find it effective
>to spell out the Principles and the Law NOT to specify what people should
>do, but rather to acknowledge what will happen anyhow, what is true (I
>think) in any case. In short, they always apply, whether said or unsaid.
>However, by articulating both they are brought to consciousness,
>acknowledged for what they are, and welcomed as positive and necessary
>elements for deep conversations and relationships. The fact that upon first
>hearing the Four Principles and The Law many participants perceive them as
>strange or "counter-intuitive" says more, I think, about the cultural
>baggage we carry than the nature or "truth" of the statements. And the fact
>that many (most?) people spend a lot of time and energy, supported by
>multiple cultural strictures, attempting to defeat, avoid, or NOT DO what
>the Principles and Law affirm and invite is the source of massive amounts
of
>frustration and guilt. Mention of both Law and Principles at the beginning
>can eliminate mountains of guilt - and guilt in my experience is a dreadful
>waste of time and energy. And of course, if some people wish to sustain
>their guilt, that will be their pleasure and problem.
>
>If Open Space had evolved as other such approaches seem to have evolved -
>after 20 years we would have massive accretions and added complexities all
>contained in thick manuals of detailed instructions. In point of fact, Open
>Space Technology is pretty much what it was on the first day. If anything
it
>has been on a strict diet. As I recall it took something like 2½ hours to
>open the first encounter - and that was without benefit of Law and
>Principles. Lord knows what we talked about - but it all worked. To be sure
>there have been some additions, particularly at the end of a gathering as
>the group seeks to move to action. We call that convergence, and the first
>iterations were pretty complex. Over time simplicity seems to have won out
>and now the general practice appears to be - just open some more space!
>(Thank you Chris et al - even I have finally given up voting :-)).
>
>For me the guiding thought has been - Think of one more thing NOT to do. It
>has been a way of stripping off the non-essentials in order to reveal what
>is natural and effective. In following this notion I think we (certainly I)
>have watched process and principles (at least the man-made ones) diminish
in
>importance leaving the people to do what only they can do for themselves.
>
>Wisdom and discretion clearly dictate that I should end this missive right
>here. However, it may have occurred to you that there was present a certain
>(implied) critique of related approaches such as Appreciative Inquiry,
>Future Search, or Dialogue (to name a few). The critique is present, but I
>need to make exquisitely clear that it is a critique offered in profound
>respect and gratitude for the individuals who have given us those
>approaches, many of whom I consider old colleagues and friends. There is no
>question that the insights offered and the results achieved have been
>massively important and effective. Personally I have learned enormously at
>the feet of these people about the power of appreciation, the elegance of
>dialogue, and the importance of common ground. But I must also say that it
>has been my personal experience in every Open Space that the elegance of
>dialogue, the nutriment of appreciation, and the healing power of common
>ground have all appeared all by themselves. The people did it.
>
>I must also confess, and this really is personal, that every time that I
>have been in a situation where someone attempted to combine Open Space with
>one of these processes or insert them in the midst of Open Space, I felt
>that the result was less than positive. Either there was little to no gain
-
>because the same results show up naturally in Open Space, or the addition
>was disruptive and counter-productive because it broke the natural rhythm
>and flow. As I said to my friend Marv Weisbord several years ago, "Marv, I
>think you are working too hard."
>
>One could certainly view my reaction as an outbreak of ego and a defense of
>"my" process. As one client told me, "Harrison you are a nice fellow, but
>you have major ego problems." Doubtless, my ego can get bent out of shape
>just like the next fellow's - but it never really felt that way. In the
>first place, how could you call something that showed up in the bottom of a
>martini glass, "My process?" Especially when subsequent experience and
>investigation has shown, I think, that the process involved had nothing to
>do with my invention. I just lucked into something that had been around for
>14,000,000 years. Drunk and Lucky? Guilty as charged!
>
>So what next? I just hope that we can keep the cart and the horse in proper
>order. Processes and principles, at least as we articulate them, are always
>second order derivatives. Very useful as maps or guides, but never to be
>confused with the rich territory - The People.
>
>Harrison
>
>
>
>
>
>Harrison Owen
>7808 River Falls Drive
>Potomac, Maryland 20845
>Phone 301-365-2093
>
>Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com <http://www.openspaceworld.com/>
>
>Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
>Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm
>OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit:
>http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
>
>
>
>*
>*
>==========================================================
>OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>------------------------------
>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
>view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
>http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
>To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
>http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
Crossroads Facilitation
50 Carrigdhoun, Waterpark, Carrigaline, Co. Cork
www.crossroadsfacilitation.ie
"Building bridges and getting you over them"
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>From Tue Mar 15 18:21:43 2005
Message-Id: <TUE.15.MAR.2005.182143.0000.>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 18:21:43 +0000
Reply-To: mherman at globalchicago.net
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Michael Herman <mjherman at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: facilitation questions
In-Reply-To: <001301c52336$55e7fc00$6501a8c0 at harrison>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
i did a concurrent thing with agile software conference a few years
ago. yes, not as amazing as it could have been if it were the main
line, but still many good things happened. the writeup is listed
toward the bottom of this ost resources archive page of links:
http://www.globalchicago.net/ost ...look for "agile" in the links. we
had not only a traditional conf, but also lunches where somebody ran
'birds of a feather' groups. two things made the ost stand out: (1)
i got to address the whole group, about 300, in the first morning,
right before lunch, after a morning of keynoters and before we opened
after lunch for anyone who wanted to join us. the contrast with the
keynoters was helpful, i think. and (2) we made the theme about the
future that nobody was presenting on, so the birds-of-a-feather groups
were issues so well known that participants could lead, presentations
were new things where experts were bringing their studies out for the
masses, and the ost was for the future of software, stuff that even
the experts weren't yet certain about. positioning this way helped
dodge some of the 'useless' labelling.
On Mon, 7 Mar 2005 11:54:22 -0500, Harrison Owen <hhowen at comcast.net> wrote:
> The problem with the "demonstration" OS had nothing to do with fear,
> hostility, or anything like that. Actually if both fear and hostility had
> been present, thing might have been more fun. As it was, the real issue was
> total, unabated, lack of anything meaningful to talk about. As I said, there
> was no passion, no responsibility, and nobody cared. The only thing I know
> to do in a situation like that is not to get into it in the first place.
>
> Harrison
>
> Harrison Owen
> 7808 River Falls Drive
> Potomac, Maryland 20845
> Phone 301-365-2093
>
> Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
> Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
> Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Steve
> Gawron
> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 11:23 AM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: Re: facilitation questions
>
> Hello All,
>
> Has anyone pursued the Six Sigma "Voice of the Customer" concepts into an
> Open Space facilitation? It seems that if the topics introduced into an
> open space discussion do not concern the participants, they will not
> respond. There is also a 'fear factor' in this equation. If the
> participants include members of adversarial groups, they may be unwilling to
> "Open" the discussion. Perhaps a brainstorming session might surface common
> ground where a discussion might occur in the situation Harrison describes
> here..
>
> Steve Gawron
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Harrison Owen" <hhowen at comcast.net>
> To: <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 7:22 AM
> Subject: Re: facilitation questions
>
> > Ah -- A little bit of Open Space! I have tried what you are suggesting
> > several times (concurrent Open and closed space) and it never seemed to
> work
> > very well. But I have to admit, that is a personal judgment based on what
> I
> > knew could have happened had it all been in Open Space. I also have to
> admit
> > that some of the folks in the "Open Space Track" were delighted. The basic
> > problem was that the majority of people loved the sound of Open Space, but
> > given a choice in the moment opted for sitting in rows being talked at. I
> > think I understand that reaction, but at the end of the day, I really felt
> > uncomfortable. Part of my discomfort came from overhearing several
> > conversations from folks who had not opted for Open Space -- who said
> > something like -- that Open Space seems pretty useless. Now of course they
> > just had "seen it," and not really been a part. But the reaction had been
> > formed. It was not unlike several other situations where I had been asked
> to
> > "demonstrate Open Space." I tried -- (sit in circle, create bulletin
> > board...) and when I finished they were all just sitting there looking at
> me
> > until somebody said "Is that all there is?" Right! No passion, no
> > responsibility, not much at all.
> >
> > Personally, I just won't do that sort of thing again. But there are some
> > alternatives. Some friends have done Open Spaces in the evenings around
> > really hot issues and those who cared to come seemed to get a lot out of
> the
> > experience. Another -- if this is a multi-day conference -- Do the last
> day
> > in Open Space (for everybody) as a way of synthesizing the experience and
> > building the common knowledge base. That does work.
> >
> > Good luck!
> >
> > Harrison
> >
> > Harrison Owen
> > 7808 River Falls Drive
> > Potomac, Maryland 20845
> > Phone 301-365-2093
> >
> > Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
> > Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
> > Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm
> > OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit:
> > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Sue
> Scott
> > Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 8:18 PM
> > To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> > Subject: facilitation questions
> >
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> > I seek your wisdom and experience. I am a volunteer in an international
> > volunteer organization that is beginning to experiment with open space. In
> > my local area, we are planning a conference that will being together our
> > volunteers, professionals, other volunteers, and the people we serve. We
> > generally have a pretty traditional conference, i.e., presentations,
> > lectures, continuing education credits, registration for time slots in
> > advance. I had hoped and asked for completely open space for this
> conference
> > and it appears that we are not ready for that yet. However, the interest
> to
> > learn more is there. Now some of us have the idea that we could offer
> open
> > space at the same time as the rest of the conference. The conference
> > organizers are fine with this idea. It would be in the same building. We
> > would like to give people the option to attend the whole regular
> conference
> > as is, move in and out of the conference, or spend all the time in open
> > space. We would have a convening question, marketplace, space to post the
> > sessions and space to hold sessions, etc.
> >
> > My questions: Have any of you been part of this sort of thing? If so, any
> > advice on how to explain to people on the reg form? How would we open
> space?
> > To the whole conference? Just to those who showed up in the OS room for
> > opening? How does it work if some people do not attend opening and then
> > attend the posted OS sessions? I know I have more questions inside but
> just
> > am too inexperienced to know how to ask.
> >
> > Also, if I am part of this organization, I guess you call it a
> stakeholder,
> > is it wise for *me* to be the facilitator? I am fine with not
> participating
> > in any sessions that might ensue, if that is what is needed.
> >
> > Many thanks for your assistance,
> >
> > Sue Scott in Oregon USA
> >
> > *
> > *
> > ==========================================================
> > OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> > ------------------------------
> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> > view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
> >
> > To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
> >
> > *
> > *
> > ==========================================================
> > OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> > ------------------------------
> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> > view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
> >
> > To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
> >
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> ------------------------------
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> ------------------------------
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
--
Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
http://www.michaelherman.com
...inviting people and whole organizations into movement
Small Change News Network
http://www.smallchangenews.org
...linking active givers and gifted activists to make a bigger difference
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>From Tue Mar 15 18:23:59 2005
Message-Id: <TUE.15.MAR.2005.182359.0000.>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 18:23:59 +0000
Reply-To: mherman at globalchicago.net
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Michael Herman <mjherman at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: elevator speech
In-Reply-To: <009e01c524ee$f39ac4f0$49bae30a at DSDICO.local>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
might be too late for this question, but we do have a number of
'elevator speeches' posted at
http://www.openspaceworld.org/wiki/wiki/wiki.cgi?OpenSpaceElevatorSpeeches
On Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:28:33 -0700, Spady's <ejespady at mydurango.net> wrote:
>
> Robin,
> I, too, am interested in some advice on how to briefly explain OS to
> clients...especially in writing. Thank you so much for sharing this blurb
> that you wrote. It's great! :-)
>
> I do find something a bit confusing though. You state: "Open Space meeting
> is highly structured through the capacity of self organization." Isn't it
> sort of an oxymoron to use "highly structured" and "self organization" in
> the same sentence...? or Highly structured with regards to anything that is
> OS?
>
> I'm curious to know others thoughts on this...
> Judy
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Robyn S Berkessel
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 12:48 PM
> Subject: Re: elevator speech
>
>
> Christine, I concocted this to email to a banking executive this week. It
> is a combination of words from Michael Hermann and Chris Corrigan (from and
> some of Harrison's recent musings. Hope it is helpful. I also welcome
> feedback from anyone. Regards, Robyn.
>
>
>
>
> What is Open Space Technology?
>
> Open Space Technology is a simple and highly effective meeting method that
> enables groups of people to deal with issues constructively and speedily.
>
>
>
> Five Preconditions for Open Space
>
> · Real issues of concern
>
> · Diversity of players
>
> · Complexity of elements
>
> · Presence of passion
>
> · Decision time was yesterday.
>
>
>
> In Open Space meetings, participants create and manage their own agenda of
> parallel working sessions around a central theme of strategic importance.
>
>
>
> There are Four Principles of Open Space
>
> · Whoever comes is the right people
>
> · Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
>
> · Whenever it starts is the right time
>
> · When it's over, it's over.
>
>
>
> There is One Law of Open Space
>
> · The Law of Two Feet - if you find yourself in a situation where
> you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet.
>
>
>
> Open Space meeting is highly structured through the capacity of self
> organization. Those who care, and are prepared to take responsibility for
> change, step up and drive the change agenda with an energy and commitment
> that no imposed management–driven design could prescribe.
>
> What will happen?
>
> We never know exactly what will happen when we open the space for people to
> do their most important work, but we can guarantee these results when any
> group gets into Open Space:
>
> · All of the issues that are MOST important to the participants will
> be raised.
>
> · All of the issues raised will be addressed by those participants
> most qualified and capable of getting something done on each of them.
>
> · In a time as short as one or two days, all of inputs and plans for
> immediate action will be documented in one comprehensive report -- finished,
> printed and in the hands of participants when they leave.
>
> · The meeting duration depends on the number of people and issues
> they put on the agenda. With groups of 5 to 2000 one-day workshops or,
> three-day conferences, the results are powerful and effective
>
> Impact of Open Space
>
> It all begins with an invitation
>
> · Palpable passion
>
> · Voluntary responsibility and accountability for issues of concern
>
> · Connection at all levels across all divides
>
> · Opening of the mind and heart
>
> · Energy for change and action
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "In the 20 year period since 1985 when I created Open Space, it has been
> used in excess of 60,000 times in 108 countries with groups ranging in size
> from 5 – 2000. Typical applications have included such things as strategic
> and tactical planning for Rockport Shoes Inc – in which some 400 employees
> established goals and directions for their company in addition to developing
> a totally new product and redesigning their inventory system. All of this
> was accomplished in 2 days, and except for the opening and closing of the
> event there was absolutely no intervention by the facilitator (me) at any
> time. The people did it all by themselves.
>
>
>
> In another case, some 2008 German Psychiatrists gathered for a single day's
> event intended to synthesize their collective learning at the conclusion of
> their biannual conference and further build the common body of knowledge. In
> all they created 236 working groups in about half an hour, self-managed the
> entire process and produced a book of proceedings as a record of their
> effort.
>
>
>
> In the United States, a much smaller group (23) of architects, technicians,
> and executives completely re-designed the AT&T Olympic Pavilion for the 1996
> Olympics. They essentially started with a blank sheet of paper, and at the
> conclusion of 2 days had a totally new design down to the level of working
> architectural drawings for the $200,000,000(US) project. Once again the
> group did it all without outside intervention."
>
>
>
> Harrison Owen, esteemed creator of Open Space
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Christine
> Whitney Sanchez
> Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 1:58 PM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: elevator speech
>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I have been given 5 minutes, at a meeting next week, to "brief" 300 CEO's
> about Open Space. Do you have a favorite elevator speech that has helped
> people understand the essence and application of OS? I'm especially eager
> for any thoughts about the relationship between OS and governance.
>
> Thanks in advance, for anything you can share.
>
>
> Christine
>
> Christine Whitney Sanchez
> Triune Milagro, LTD
> 480.759.0262
> VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.triunemilagro.com
>
> Invoking the wisdom and capacity of the human spirit!
> * * ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU ------------------------------ To subscribe,
> unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
> oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
> OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist *
> * ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU ------------------------------ To subscribe,
> unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
> oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
> OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
> * * ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU ------------------------------ To subscribe,
> unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
> oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
> OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
--
Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
http://www.michaelherman.com
...inviting people and whole organizations into movement
Small Change News Network
http://www.smallchangenews.org
...linking active givers and gifted activists to make a bigger difference
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>From Tue Mar 15 10:30:25 2005
Message-Id: <TUE.15.MAR.2005.103025.0800.>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 10:30:25 -0800
Reply-To: chris at chriscorrigan.com
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Chris Corrigan <chris.corrigan at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: A short introduction
In-Reply-To: <20050315111710.52875.qmail at web52007.mail.yahoo.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
It's no accident that Open Source sounds like Open Space. Linux, the
open source operating system (http://www.linux.org/), Open Office
(http://www.openoffice.org/) (a free suite of wordprocessing,
spreadsheet and database tools), the browser Firefox
(http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/) and many other pieces of
software are developed in a completely open way, in an ongoing
collaborative Open Space. It's all self-organizing and requires very
few hubs. Check http://sourceforge.net/ which is the home of open
source development on the web and is basically a huge, ongoing open
space meeting where developers can drop in, propose projects, work on
existing projects, contribute a tiny fix or a whole new chunk of
code...
Open Source is redefining the marketplace, and Microsoft and other
large commercial companies are feeling the heat. The success of
Firefox is pushing Internet Explorer to a new release, and Linux is
beginning to give Windows a run for it's money. Many web servers now
run on LInux systems, because it is so much more adaptable and nearly
immune to viruses and malicious use. Every time a problem crops up,
someone posts it somewhere and hundreds of developers go to work on
it.
It all looks a bit geeky, but the fact is that now you don't have to
pay for basic computer software anymore, if you choose. And you can
contribute to Open Source by using the software, writing code (if
that's what you do) or offering $20 for someone to fix a bug or
develop a feature you need (if writing code is not your thing).
What is happening to open source is inspiring new ways of thinking
about philanthropy, collaboration, markets, community development and
a myriad of other fields.
Chris
On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 12:17:10 +0100, Lucas Gonzalez <lgs0a at yahoo.es> wrote:
> Hi Tom
>
> > If I understand what you mean "bring the system in one room" to be
> > bringing the stakeholders together in the place where the work is to
> > be done, then yes.
>
> I don't know much about software developement for such huge things as,
> say, a hospital information system.
>
> I know a little about how a hospital works - but so do most people -
> and it's complex: many different people doing different things and
> asking for different pieces of data all the time (and I mean ALL the
> time). And most of the times you have to change the engine of the
> plane while it's flying.
>
> I would guess you have to develop specifications, write the software,
> test it, evaluate it - I guess open space "sessions" for each of those?
> Would you do smaller open space gatherings around "the broad picture"
> and also about smaller "facets"? Those who care will come in any case,
> they say.
>
> The ant-nest picture I can imagine is quite interesting, with the heart
> and toenail specialists and software composers all breathing in and out
> of their places within the hospital, also in and out of the gathering
> room (as part of the hospital), and much of the time in open space.
>
> > There are other interesting approaches that have
> > bearing on this - notably the so-called agile, or lightweight,
> > development methodologies. Agile development is predicated on short
> > bursts of activity, with various checks and balances to ensure work
> > is on task or able to respond to changes in project's business
> context
> > - not the least of which is garnering feedback from stakeholders.
>
> I agree, and I also think feedback runs both ways. There was this
> quote about a person filling up a glass of water: as the system
> specialists put it, you *can't* just fill up the glass - rather, you
> enter a system in which you control the water flow and the level of
> water in the glass, as you see it, controls *you*. Then the water you
> drink is good or bad and that's another loop.
>
> > I can see agile development, open space and open source as
> > significant mechanisms for the production of high quality, high value
> > software systems in a short period of time. Regarding bringing it all
> > in one room, I'm imagining a company set up as a ongoing "creative
> > space" where work and decision making is framed within a series of
> > open space meetings, each focussing on a particular broad set of
> > issues. I could be misunderstanding the use of open space here - I'll
> > readily admit I'm a bit of a dreamer.. :)
>
> My bet here is you'd like to try and you'd get help from the list. How
> to start?
>
> Lucas
>
> ______________________________________________
> Renovamos el Correo Yahoo!: ¡250 MB GRATIS!
> Nuevos servicios, más seguridad
> http://correo.yahoo.es
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> ------------------------------
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
--
-------------------------
CHRIS CORRIGAN
Consultation - Facilitation
Open Space Technology
Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>From Tue Mar 15 10:36:48 2005
Message-Id: <TUE.15.MAR.2005.103648.0800.>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 10:36:48 -0800
Reply-To: chris at chriscorrigan.com
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Chris Corrigan <chris.corrigan at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Principles, Process, and People
In-Reply-To: <20050315100025.92621.qmail at web52003.mail.yahoo.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Sticking to the manual is a good idea. I don't just walk into the
circle and point at the tools and say "go." Foregoing the ritual of
riciting the principles and the law happens if I've set the stage
properly, so it's "in the air." I have noticed people NOTICING the
principles and the law on their own, especially the law. They'll come
over to me and talk about how nice it is to be free to wander between
groups.
I love the ritual of opening space, and in the vast majority of cases,
I follow pretty much the same basic script as I did the first time I
did it, and that was cribbed out of the old user's guide. So yes...it
is useful both for the facilitator and the group. And if it's your
first time, SAYING the law and the principles out loud helps you to
believe that these things are actually true! That's a hard fact to
follow if you've never seen them in action, and one of the reasons I
think many facilitators stumble upon OST and give it short shrfit the
first time they do it. If you as a facilitator can't model the belief
in true self-organization and the power of the people to do their
work, it's unlikely that anyone in the group will. So go whole hog
with your opening, don't modify it from the basic script too much, but
mostly BE the enthusiasm you FEEL for the process.
That's what Lisa Heft teaches me! :-)
Chris
On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 11:00:24 +0100, Lucas Gonzalez <lgs0a at yahoo.es> wrote:
> --- Chris Corrigan <chris.corrigan at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I think that's right Juan. Just for fun I've done a handful of Open
> > Space Tech meetings without talking about the principles and the law.
> > It works fine.
>
> Could it be that speaking out the principles and the law helps the
> facilitator the first times?
>
> Have you found that you don't speak them out in certain situations
> (where you "feel" that the group is ready enough not to need them)
> while you'd rather stick to the manual on other ocasions (where you
> "feel" it might be better to remind them - the group or the sponsor)?
>
> In my first time I think I'll stick to the manual.
>
> Lucas
>
>
> ______________________________________________
> Renovamos el Correo Yahoo!: ¡250 MB GRATIS!
> Nuevos servicios, más seguridad
> http://correo.yahoo.es
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> ------------------------------
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
--
-------------------------
CHRIS CORRIGAN
Consultation - Facilitation
Open Space Technology
Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
More information about the OSList
mailing list