SV: Giving context, clarifying the theme was: OST following a creative enhacing training

Mon Nov 15 13:13:09 PST 2010

Dear Harrison

Thanks for your reply (came directly to me, so I post my answer + your reply
here). My experience is that sometimes people come to an event, having
“read” the invitation without understanding that it is something completely
different than the traditional type of gatherings – especially noticeable
when it’s to an OS-meeting or to another open participative process – and
when people are not used to this at all. I think some people already have
their mind set, and don’t see that it’s something different – although there
are no speakers listed and only a starting and ending time.

In the pre-work I always design specific time to facilitate a process with
the planning group to find a compelling theme. I often quote Chris’
statement from the list, and ask them – “does this really turn you on?”
Still this happens every now and then

In the future I will have this conversation even more clearly with my
sponsors – we have to shake people, turn them upside down, or make them
upset
to really to give them a chance to understand that this is something
different. Any ideas to make this more clear for participants are
appreciated.

Warm regards

Thomas

Från: Harrison Owen [mailto:hhowen at verizon.net] 
Skickat: den 15 november 2010 20:27
Till: thomas at openspaceconsulting.com
Ämne: RE: Giving context, clarifying the theme was: OST following a creative
enhacing training

Thomas – I have found that if participants are unclear about the core
purpose of the gathering at the start, it is probably to late to do much
about it. Doubtless they will be unclear about outcomes, and should be. Two
things are critical, I think. First is the invitation should briefly and
clearly state “why we are here.” The second thing is that the invitation be
a REAL invitation – which is to say that it can be refused. Or stated more
positively – the invitation must invite Those who Care to come. If they
don’t care, they shouldn’t come. And if they are unclear about the details,
gaining clarity (calling the sponsor) makes a good deal of sense! When the
people are clear and care to be there saying a lot more is not to the point.
Just get to work.

Harrison

Harrison Owen

189 Beaucaire Ave

Camden, ME 04843

207-763-3261 (Summer)

301-365-2093 (Winter)

Website www.openspaceworld.com 

Personal Website www.ho-image.com 

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  _____  

From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Thomas
Herrmann
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 9:47 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Giving context, clarifying the theme was: OST following a creative
enhacing training

Dear friends

This conversation sparked a question I have. How much responsibility do you
take to give participants context and clarify the theme in the opening of an
Open Space meeting? I hand this to the sponsor and some do a great job some
don’t. I think they are the ones actually opening the space so they should
express what they mean instead of me interpreting it.

The other day, there was a clarifying question after my opening which made
me realize that this person and probably some more were not fully aware of
the purpose – which is no good thing in an Open Space meeting!  (-:

Warm regards

Thomas

Från: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] För Artur Silva
Skickat: den 15 november 2010 15:18
Till: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Ämne: Re: OST following a creative enhacing training

Thanks, Chris. I also often use "it depends"... And agree with your opinion
about the "two part opening". As well as with the difficulty in "shutting
up" :-((

Artur

  _____  

From: Chris Corrigan <chris.corrigan at gmail.com>
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Sent: Mon, November 15, 2010 1:22:37 PM
Subject: Re: [OSLIST] OST following a creative enhacing training

For me the answer is always "it depends". I have run OST events with stuff
at the beginning and afterwards (and even sometimes in the dreaded middle of
things) but it is always dependent on the context. 

Having said that, so much about the opening of space is about cultivating
the energy of the group, tapping the deepest purpose and swiftly and clearly
explaining the process and principles. A two part opening tends to stall or
kill that energy especially after the agenda has been set. For me mastery of
this form of meeting is summed up by one practice: the art of shutting up.
Once I have explained things I shut up and let people get to work. The more
I talk the less space there is for others. The quicker I can get out of the
way the better. 

It is amazing to me how many experienced facilitators have trouble shutting
up (me among them) but I invite you all to cultivate the practice. It is
about a clear and crisp ending of your role so the group can get to work. 

Chris

Ps the best piece of advice I ever saw on this list about the energy of
opening came from Lisa who once said "model enthusiasm". Excellent. 

-----

CHRIS CORRIGAN

http://www.chriscorrigan.com

Sent from an iPhone, typed with thumbs...

On 2010-11-14, at 11:26 PM, Lisa Heft <lisaheft at openingspace.net> wrote:

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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