ODWS - Journey through time; suggestions please !!

Thu May 27 14:34:02 PDT 2010

Jack – I have always loved your “map” – if only because it provides me and
(indirectly I presume), and Open Space Technology with an impressive lineage
which is at once colorful, although perhaps  undeserved. It is true that my
first public foray into the realm of Organization Transformation happened at
a regional conference of ODN (Organization Development Network) – I gave a
paper. What is also true is that at the time I had no real clue what
Organization Development might be, where it came from, or what it might be
useful for. My inspiration, training and experience came from a rather
different place, including but not limited to a layman’s understanding of
the New Physics, a rather deeper understanding of the myth and ritual of the
ancient near east, and an appreciation of a variety of (what now would be
called) esoteric traditions. Strange things like Tibetan Buddhism, Sufi
thought (Rumi), some deep learning at the feet of (West) African Shamans,
the work of Joseph Campbell, Ken Wilbur  – and other assorted denizens of
the Fringe. I wouldn’t claim academic expertise for most of this, but
existential, on the ground experience for sure. Truth to tell, when
Organization Transformation first reflected the light of day it was not
viewed in a positive fashion by the powers that be (were) in the world of
OD. Definitely heretical! Off the Wall! Out of Sight!! Some still feel that
way, I am sure – but times change. And a lot of the people who found the
idea of Organization Transformation radically abhorrent became friends. I
can’t say we have always agreed – but we are friends.

And then we come to Open Space Technology. It does not come from, nor is it
part of the great tradition (lately created) of Large Scale Interventions.
It began as it remains – The product of two Martinis (and before that the
Big Bang)!  There was no careful research, no critical analysis of preceding
efforts – just a little Gin and (much less) vermouth.  And with all that as
ancestors, you got to keep it simple.  – Sit in a circle, create a bulletin
board, open a market place – and Go to work. Hasn’t changed a bit ever
since. But I am sure that our understanding of what happens has gone a lot
deeper – which is not to say that we are getting anywhere near the depths we
must achieve. But we are moving in the right direction, I think. And it is
fun.

Harrison

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

Phone 301-365-2093

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)

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From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Jack
Martin Leith
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 3:11 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: ODWS - Journey through time; suggestions please !!

Thanks for mentioning the map, Michael.

I've just uploaded it to my server in case anyone wants to see it.

Here's the URL:
www.leithcocreation.com/documents/history-of-large-group-methods.doc

It's a big file ... sorry ... I don't have time right now to make it any
smaller.

Jack

Jack Martin Leith
Leith Co-creation
London, United Kingdom
email: jack at leithcocreation.com
Mobile: 07831 840541 (+44 7831 840541)
Skype: jackmartinleith
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On 27 May 2010 15:05, Michael Herman <michael at michaelherman.com> wrote:

i'll second jeff's recommendation of marv weisbord's 'productive
workplaces.'  that was the first thing that came to mind here.  another was
a map that jack martin leith did some years ago, showing overlapping
development paths of various methods and leading practitioners.  jack?

m

--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates

http://www.michaelherman.com <http://www.michaelherman.com/> 
http://www.ronanparktrail.com <http://www.ronanparktrail.com/> 
http://www.chicagoconservationcorps.org
<http://www.chicagoconservationcorps.org/> 
http://www.openspaceworld.org <http://www.openspaceworld.org/> 

312-280-7838 (mobile) 

On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 4:39 AM, VISUELLE PROTOKOLLE
<mail at visuelle-protokolle.de> wrote:

Dear Gerard,

Our friend Jon Jenkins, who sadly died recently, said as the father of the
IAF Method Database, that right now the three most important elements in our
profession are VISUALIZATION, STORYTELLING and ONLINE METHODS.

Greetings from Italy

Reinhard Kuchenmüller

VISUELLE PROTOKOLLE® 
www.visuelle-protokolle.de <http://www.visuelle-protokolle.de/> 
+39-0566-88929

Am 27/05/10 08:16 schrieb "Gerard Muller" unter <gm at openspace.dk>:

Dear All,

At the upcoming Organisational Development World Summit (see
http://www.odworldsummit.org/, which is organised in collaboration with
several organisations and communities - amongst which several who are on
this list , we are organising part of the program as a special journey
through the history of our profession, before we move into it’s future.

I would like to ask for your help in identifying what you feel are the 2-3
elements which deserve a place in this journey. This could be either in the
history of the profession (a book, a bit of research,  the birth of an
method or theory), or in the history of the society around (political,
technological, ...).

If you have a specific idea how to represent the elements which come to
mind, that would be great.
In the case of a publication, it could be the book itself, in the case of an
event maybe the invitation,
a poster, pictures. But we’ll also have space for filmclips and music.

Please mail any ideas to my E-mail at gm at openspace.dk, in the course of the
coming week.

Thanks for your assistance !!

Greetings from Denmark,

Gerard Muller

Open Space Institute Denmark
Phone: (+45) 21269621
Mail: gm at openspace.dk
Skype: openspace1

www.openspace.dk <http://www.openspace.dk/>  <http://www.openspace.dk
<http://www.openspace.dk/> > 

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