OST following a creative enhacing training

[Lisa Heft]

Hi, Artur -

Regarding the outdoor experiences the day before an Open Space: many  
things can happen the day before an Open Space. But as Open Space  
delivers intimate passionate discussion, relationship-building, a  
sense of community or team, energetic interchange and even laughter -  
I not only see no reason to design in preliminary activities *but*  
have actually seen an Open Space suffer after these.  And I have seen  
the same as Harrison noted - participants have often said 'why didn't  
you give us more time for our work / play / discussion in Open Space -  
we could have used it'.
This includes introduction / warm-up / 'icebreaker' activities. Even  
going around in a circle hearing what everyone's name and title is  
seems to be taking up valuable time for participants - they always say  
how they came to know and remember each other much more deeply because  
of their shared interests and spirited discussions in the Open Space  
and that a traditional introduction both is hard to remember plus can  
often set up assumptions about who is supposedly who.

Regarding the introduction / explanation of Open Space - I feel  
strongly that one should explain the principles and law BEFORE opening  
up the floor for topics / agenda co-creation.
Because you are explaining / inviting a different way of being. You  
are explaining when you explain principles and law that everything is  
possible, including visiting multiple discussions during a single  
session.
You are letting people know to follow the energy of the conversations  
rather than their pre-conceived agendas.
And you are also letting people know that even if one person comes  
that is exactly the amazing perfect thing - they can write in silence  
and contribute even if they have a completely different way of thinking.
The explanation of principles and laws (not just the reading of the  
text on the posters) is one of the essential invitations in Open  
Space, I believe.

Also: your client said that they do that certain way (explaining only  
each thing as needed) for ***trainings****.
That is a very good way to do a training.
Open Space meetings are not trainings.

A very important difference for design, explanation, dynamics,  
information the participants need for their self-organized work,  
objectives, outcomes and more. Right?

Lisa


Lisa Heft
Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
Opening Space
lisaheft at openingspace.net

On Nov 13, 2010, at 1:19 PM, Artur Silva wrote:

> Thanks for your answer(s), Harrison.
>
> And have you (ou others) any comments on my point 2 (the possible  
> two-step opening)?
>
> Rgds
>
> Artur


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