[OSList] Open Space Training

Thu Nov 7 14:45:40 PST 2013

Hi Michael,

It’s interesting to see the common links in how we do
things …and the differences. I’d like to give feedback on 2 OS learning approaches you
described (your email copied below). 

The reason I do a small group followed by a large
group reflection on core values, principles, spirit and
fundamentals of OST, right after the experience of OS and before getting
the participants' questions out, is precisely because participants'
question are generally more focused on practical questions: how to
organize and facilitate an OS as you pointed out: “Generally the themes tend to naturally
fall into about three main areas (i) preparation work with the sponsor (ii) set
up and facilitation on the day (iii) convergence and post open space”. 

This is consistent with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I
have found that if right after the OS experience, we tap into the WOW sentiment,
people connect at the visceral level with a consciousness of something
different and very special. It’s a perfect backdrop to go deeper into the
essence of OS, what makes if so powerful. It leads us to dialogue on letting go
of control, the power of autonomy, choice and self-organization. 

If those OS fundamentals are clearer, participants
will be better equipped, using this framework to figure out the “how to”
questions during the rest of the workshop but more importantly, for the rest of
their life. It’s connecting the heart to the mind. Harrison does say if you
have a good heart, you can do Open Space. As we see on this OS List, for years
we continue having questions and it’s generally through the principles and the
heart that we work through those challenges.

The 2nd point I wanted to give feedback on is organizing the participants' question by theme as you describe below. I have stopped that facilitation technique that I had used in other forms of training too, because participants then replicated that as being how you do an Open Space,
despite their experience of a full day in OS (day-1). When people experience
different facilitation techniques in the same environment, a few months or years later,
their memory does tricks and mixes up things. So I now stick to a real Open Space
on OS questions. It’s at the market place that initiators (and not the group)
may combine their topics.

In the end, OS is resilient and something good always comes out of the different ways of learning.

Diane

Diane Gibeault               
Canada  
diane.gibeault at rogers.com
www.dianegibeault.com  

________________________________
From: Michael Wood <michael.wood at uwa.edu.au>
To: "'oslist at lists.openspacetech.org'" <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> 
Cc: "'diane.gibeault at rogers.com'" <diane.gibeault at rogers.com>; "'kari.gunnarsson at simnet.is'" <kari.gunnarsson at simnet.is> 
Sent: Wednesday, November 6, 2013 8:57:46 PM
Subject: RE: OSList Digest, Vol 33, Issue 7

Hello Kari,

In relation to OST training, I have recently done a couple of three day OST trainings (action-learnings) for church leaders and also help out on trainings run by Brendan McKeauge here in Perth. The format I used with church leaders is pretty much as described in Diane's response to you. Towards the end of Day 1, after they have experienced an OST meeting, I invite them to get into groups of 3-4 for about 20 min to reflect on two questions ('what did you notice about the process' and 'what questions are emerging'). I ask them to write one question on a piece of A4 paper with marker pens. Then we come back into the main circle and throw the questions on the floor and then, as a group, constellate the questions into themes. Generally the themes tend to naturally fall into about three main areas (i) preparation work with the sponsor (ii) set up and facilitation on the day (iii) convergence and post open space. The constellated themes then form the 'agenda'
 for the next couple of days. 

I also keep a little 'check list' up my sleeve to ensure we cover at some stage (which are pretty much the areas which Diane listed in her response to you). Interestingly we just about always end up covering these areas anyone from the question which people put on the floor at the end of Day 1. Somewhere along the way I want to help the group think about the underlying themes of self organising systems rather than just the 'mechanics' of OST process. Some of the diagrams from Peggy Holman's book 'Engaging Emergence' are very helpful here, along with the eight principles from Harrison Owen's book 'Waverider'. It can be helpful for people to think about 'what would it mean for me to be a 'waverider' in everyday life and leadership, not just when I am formally sponsoring or facilitating an OST event?

Lisa Heft has a very good 'Open Space  Ideas Book' which I understand she is happy for people to use with appropriate acknowledgement to Lisa (I make an honorarium donation to Lisa when I use this resource).

All the best with your training.

Michael Wood
Perth, Western Australia
www.michaeljohnwood.com

________________________________
 From: Diane Gibeault <diane.gibeault at rogers.com>
To: World wide Open Space Technology email list <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, November 6, 2013 2:24:18 PM
Subject: Re: [OSList] Open Space Training

Hi Kari,

Here are the basics of the OS training I offer and which has evolved over many years as I continuously incorporate new insights coming from this List, experience with OS and groups, exchanges with colleagues, etc. 

Day-1: Actually experiencing Open Space Technology around a theme of organizational interest.  People not participating to the training can join discussions on that day if they have passion for the theme. This brings diversity in the thinking, more people to enrich the conversations, a greater sense of a "for real" OS event for training participants and a taste of an OS experience for people who may be thinking of bringing OS into their organization.

Day-2 and 3 are interactive with dialogue based activities to explore the following:

-Essence of OST (the centre piece of the OS learning) : participants go back on their OS experience to discuss what are the core values, principles and spirit of OST, and the fundamentals to do good work in opening space.
-Effective pre-work to encourage leadership clarity, openness and commitment before, during and after the event
-Simple convergence methods - used after the OS on action market place is created or a self-managed one before OS on action
-Hold an OSonOS for emerging questions on OST
-Practice of the facilitator’s opening
-Logistic to organize a successful OS event
-OS beyond the event - how to live OS and its spirit in day to day life

For articles giving examples of OS applied in different contexts, see: www.dianegibeault.com in addition to the great web sites suggested in previous responses.

Hope this is useful as you build a learning experience that reflects your colours.

The best to you,

Diane

Co-auteure : Livre blanc sur le Forum Ouvert / OPEN SPACE

________________________________
 From: Kári Gunnarsson <kari.gunnarsson at simnet.is>
To: World wide Open Space Technology email list <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> 
Sent: Tuesday, November 5, 2013 5:31:16 AM
Subject: [OSList] Open Space Training

Dear Open Space Community

I have been asked by several interested people here in my small
hometown to host a training that would build confidence for sponsors
and facilitators in the use of Open Space.

I plan to make this a yearly event here and give freely the material I
generate. Althow I will have it all in my small local language
(Icelandic), then this material could be translated to other
languages. I plan to
 host my first Icelandic Open Space Training class
in mid January 2014.

To help me, then I would like some suggestions and material that I
could use for this training project. Any small thing is welcome.

With best regards
Kári
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