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

Sat Aug 23 12:28:01 PDT 2014

Elizabeth – Nice to hear from you, and greetings to all the folks in Venezuela. Been there many times, and Opened no small number of spaces in lots of places. It was marvelous. And some thoughts on when to Open Space... 

A very simple answer is “All the Time.” In fact I don’t really think we have much of a choice. Doubtless it is senility creeping in, but from where I sit... It is all open space, and our only choice is whether we do it well or poorly, consciously or happenstantially. It is really all about life and living. Life well lived (at least my life, well lived) is characterized by invitation... Invitation to our friends, colleagues, strangers and enemies to join us in common tasks we all care about. And when they show up (accept our invitation), just know they are exactly the right people, if only because they cared to come. As the work get underway, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t follow the plan, and certainly not your plan. But just notice that whatever happened was the only thing that could have – and it worked out just fine. Of course there is always the issue of schedule, and don’t be surprised if things don’t start when they “should.” They never do. They start when they are ready. Whenever it starts is the right time. And down the road, things come to an end, as they always do. When it is over, it is over.

As things move along, don’t get stuck in your ways... or the ways it seems you are supposed to follow. It may  seem rude and disorderly – but The Law of Two Feet is really essential. Whenever you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing – Move On! Your warm body may contribute to the attendance count but it does absolutely nothing for the common task. In fact all your negative energy, feeling put upon because you think you “have” to stay, is really a total downer. Do everybody, including yourself, a big favor and get out of town. Go somewhere else. Do something useful!

On occasion it is very useful to do all of the above with greater attention and focus. The way is simple: Open Space. It may look like some special group process, but that is illusion. It is really the same old, same old – but done with greater intention. Life well lived. And it’s fun! 

Strange things do happen in Open Space – with capitol letters or small. Acquaintances become real friends, strangers close companions. And strangest of all, enemies turn out to be real human beings with lives, loves, and lots of give. It sometimes seems like a miracle or magic when contrasted with what passes for a life on many of our days. That’s what happens when space closes down, when we or others attempt to command and control. Reversing this situation is in our power. It is always possible to open our space, and invite others to join us. Of course we can choose to be miserable, to live our lives in quiet desperation, closed in walls of our making, or accepting the walls that others create. That is our choice. 

It is all open space. We can live it well or poorly. And isn’t it wonderful when you just throw open all the doors and windows? That’s been my experience.

Harrison

Winter Address

7808 River Falls Drive

Potomac, MD 20854

301-365-2093

Summer Address

189 Beaucaire Ave.

Camden, ME 04843

207-763-3261

Websites

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com

OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org

From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Elisabeth Tepper Kofod
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2014 10:21 AM
To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
Subject: Re: [OSList] org'n works too good to use OST…?

So interesting and right on time!

Right now in day 2 of an OST training in Venezuela, and one of the issues in the group, of course, is when to use OST, when not to use it and the importance of the theme that generates true passion and commitment.

Thanks Thomas, for sharing!

Love

Elisabeth

On Sat, Aug 23, 2014 at 7:57 AM, Thomas Herrmann <thomas at openspaceconsulting.com> wrote:

Had a "funny" experience yesterday when I facilitated an OST with an organization that I mentioned about earlier, they have dived into OST and use the approach more and more in everyday life. Every August they have 1-2 days with all employees. Last year we had 2 full days (twice with half the staff each time) in OST resulting in a total of 23 action plans implemented by self managed workgroups. We have had follow up meetings reporting the progress from teams that now have dissolved or are still working. Their business (a hospital) now runs really smoothly, producing well over targets with energy and high spirit.
Out of different reasons the message for the first of this years conferences (one full day, next Friday is the next - for the other half of the staff) was a bit blurry (in my opinion/how I experience it) so the energy was not so high (setting agenda was really slooooow, didn't experience anything like that in the hundreds of events I have facilitated!) and some thought the day was a bit boring/slow. At the end most who were still there were happy(some left early - long day on Friday is not a good choice either)  - 9 action plans with concrete improvements! I used re-opening space, so it was all by invitation (-:

Anyhow, a challenge may be to find a really hot theme when business runs so good… I am now in communication with the leadership about how we can get the steam going better next Friday.
Any experiences to share, ideas and/or suggestions?
Warm regards
Thomas Herrmann
_______________________________________________
OSList mailing list
To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org
To unsubscribe send an email to OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org
To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org

-- 

Elisabeth Tepper Kofod

Facilitadora de Procesos de Transformación

Genuine Contact Professional & Co-owner
Master Practitioner. Coach & Trainer PNL
Terapia Sistémica - Constelaciones Familiares

elitepperk at gmail.com
58 212 986 4254
58 424 256 5855

  <http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uth1L2tcpl8/TcBsDaSsZAI/AAAAAAAAArA/5caZP06OEWk/s760/Tarjetas%2B%2BElisabeth%2BTepper%2BCARA.jpg> 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.openspacetech.org/pipermail/oslist-openspacetech.org/attachments/20140823/2fd6053d/attachment-0004.htm>