[OSList] org'n works too good to use OST.?

[Lisa Heft -]

Hi, Thomas - I think you have answered your own questions, with your reflections. And I wonder - in ‘hindsight’ - if your intuition had told you these things in advance and you went forward anyway? Just curious.

One thing I have observed is that - for Open Space specifically - any presentations, speeches, report-backs - or other one-way information… puts bodies to rest. In a receiving mode. Not in a ‘jump into the space’ mode.
So I always try to encourage the host / sponsor / client to think first *if* that information is absolutely necessary to the group *for its work that day / in that particular meeting*. 
If it is not necessary information for the work they need to do, it is not necessary to do *at that meeting*.
And if it is indeed important for the group’s immediate task (the reason for the meeting), how can they receive that *before* the meeting, not taking up the precious face-to-face time of the meeting, not starting with ‘listening’, giving more time for the *doing* work at hand?

And I don’t do warm-ups or anything *before* an Open Space - because I feel that Open Space delivers interaction, weaving people together, introducing them to each other in their topic conversations and so on. 
Remember the part about ‘trust the people, trust the process’. So personally, I would not do a fish-bowl - it is that same ‘some people talking, others listening’ opening energy.

I might do those things before another process, but I don’t do them when I am using Open Space.

Then, there is the reason for the meeting and the framing and nature of invitation.
I think it is perfectly useful to have periodic “bodywork” for the organization so it stays well, flexible, resilient, shares its knowledge and experience, is nourished and people keep noticing things across the system.
So to me that part of ‘should you do it when it works well’ in an organization is YES and… looks like - just like aways - thoughtful work on the theme / focusing question is important - sets intention, invites diverse thoughts on something important, is part of the ‘container’.

Then there is the invitation part. How are people invited, what languaging is used - worth the same amount of intention and focus. Even if it is something that happens again and again in an organization.

Then there is the opening and closing / facilitator part - which I do not know about in your case - but we have learned here on OSLIST that if a group feels like it knows and practices OS - even a facilitator group - and someone facilitating does *not* walk the circle, name the guidelines (principles), verbally invite opening agenda co-creation and closing circle comments and reflection - it feels to the group a bit like… like eclipse light. Some energy and presence missing.

Then you mention the days of the week - that is good learning for that particular organization, as well.

Anyway, some thoughts and reflections about what you are sharing, observing and noticing…

Lisa


On Aug 23, 2014, at 8:32 AM, Thomas Herrmann <thomas at openspaceconsulting.com> wrote:

> THanks for your responses Eric, Elisabeth and HO
> I have never used any warm-ups in an OST but it sure would be interesting to see how that would work! A "real" theme has always worked for my groups and I like that. Your suggestion Harrison is pretty close to the theme already chosen (From good to best (but in Swedish)) - but I think it was not communicated clearly, with passion. It will be interesting how things work out on Friday. And what they/we come up with.
> 
> One idea that struck me is to use a fish-bowl start where the leaders - and if others care to join - clarify way ahead.
> 
> Another thing. As I shared earlier we had a brief report out in the morning, before starting. I had preferred to have it in a separate room but due to difficulties with microphones we had it besides the circle. 9 groups that started last year shared - one minute each - their achievements. And there were some quite major achievements… Hmm maybe this set a tone that interfered…
> 
> It is always difficult to know what affects what and how… I very seldom have any activities such as presentations before starting… Hmm
> 
> Hmmm…
> More comments very welcome
> Hugs
> Thomas
>