[OSList] Small group OS

[Jeff Aitken]

HI Paul,

There is only one bit of awkwardness that I've experienced in a small
OS. It's happened a few times. After the agenda is on the wall, one
participant might suggest out loud that the group stay together to
talk about all of the agenda items.

If the group agrees with one another to do this, there are a couple of
things to notice: first, they will have less time to talk about each
topic. I do remind them of this.

And second, there might be an expectation that you will now facilitate
the group more actively, instead of holding space without intervening.
So it might be helpful to make an agreement with the sponsor
beforehand, that the OS style of facilitating does not involve your
active facilitation of the topics.

There are other ways to facilitate a small gathering that might serve
the needs of the group, but in my experience, open space can work very
well.

Jeff
San Francisco





On 6/11/13, Lourdes Adriana Diaz-Berrio Doring <adriana at diazberrio.com> wrote:
> Hi Paul:
> I Love you question because I can share something this time! I was really
> afraid of small OS because I had the fear that it could not be as good
> as...a big OS but I had one experience that was so good!
> I had only 7 participants but it was one day from 9:30 to 18:30 and at the
> end of the day the people did not wanted to go!
> It really was a very nice experience and everybody was so happy.
> They  had proposed several topics and they had groups of 2,3,4,5 and the
> closing circle was so interesting.
>  I was and very satisfied with this experience because after it I am never
> afraid of small OS.
> Trust the principle 1
> The people that come are the right ones
>  (It doesn't say that this principle only applies after x number of people!
> Does it?)
> ....and the other principles to!
>
> Adriana
>
> 2013/6/11 Paul Nunesdea <nunesdea at me.com>
>
>> List,
>>
>> Apologies if this is a recurrent question... Would opening space at
>> management team level (9 persons) would work? The issue is a burning 'new
>> company structure' eventually facing a downsize. I have experienced to
>> host
>> larger groups OS but wonder how it would be also useful in a smaller
>> group
>> context.
>>
>> My question is twofold:
>> - would a OS session of 9 persons would work in terms of marketplace
>> dynamics, would the sessions be too small?
>> - If that works well, then I wonder if extending results to the remainder
>> of the company not in the OS meeting would be effective?
>>
>> Your experience would be much valued!
>>
>> Best
>> Paul
>>
>> From my iPad
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>
>
>
> --
>
> Adriana Díaz-Berrio Ph.D. CRHA
> (514) 739 2268
> www.diazberrio.com
>