[OSList] Trust

[David Osborne]

Trust = the safety condition for self-organization.

D


On Sat, Feb 1, 2014 at 11:31 AM, Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net> wrote:

> Brendan said: "And in my view , all germinating from that initial transfer
> of trust between mentor and sponsor" Right on! I don't think it makes a bit
> of difference how elegantly one "does" the Open Space. It is really all
> about TRUST. When I said that anybody with a good heart and good mind can
> "do it," that is just a long winded way of saying what I've always found to
> be true. Expertise is interesting. Integrity and Trust are essential. A new
> comer to the OS world, opening space for the very first time, muffing some
> lines, and forgetting others - can do every bit as well as a 20 year
> veteran. The coin of the realm is Integrity, authenticity, trust. But none
> of that should be news, for that trio is the bedrock of all positive human
> encounter, I think. Which may just be another way of pointing out that OS
> is not some special process we do, it is just life lived well. Or something.
>
>
>
> ho
>
>
>
>
>
> Harrison Owen
>
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
>
> Potomac, MD 20854
>
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>
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>
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>
> Phone 301-365-2093
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> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
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>
> *From:* oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:
> oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] *On Behalf Of *Brendan McKeague
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 01, 2014 12:57 AM
> *To:* World wide Open Space Technology email list
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Sponsor PreWork Conversation (long)
>
>
>
> A very interesting question Chuni Li...
>
>
>
> The sponsor was being mentored by one of my colleagues in our local Open
> Space community of practice (Wave Riders) who suggested to him that OS was
> the right method/model for the task at hand.  As his coach (the formal role
> as perceived by the organisation), my colleague encouraged the sponsor to
> get in touch with me to avoid any perceived conflict of interest. The
> sponsor researched OS for himself first and then engaged me to provide the
> specialist knowledge....Harrison often says that anyone with a good heart
> and head can open space - and I agree - while at the same time, I
> acknowledge that 'Open Space wisdom' is often helpful, if not necessary, in
> situations of increased complexity and potential conflict.
>
>
>
> After his initial attraction to OS in theory, and as part of his research,
> the sponsor then ran a mini Open Space within his own jurisdiction to see
> how it worked in reality - he wished to speak from his lived experience
> when engaging with his higher-uppers.  He also watched a few of the growing
> library of YouTube clips that are so wonderful for educating potential
> sponsors.
>
>
>
> Now totally convinced, the transfer of trust was complete at various
> levels....trusting the process (OST works) AND trusting the facilitator
> (who was aligned with the essence of OST - i.e living in it) AND trusting
> that both facilitator and process were 'fit-for-purpose' in this context.
>
>
>
> And in my view , all germinating from that initial transfer of trust
> between mentor and sponsor
>
>
>
> Hope this story helps
>
>
>
> Cheers Brendan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 31/01/2014, at 1:10 PM, chunili2000 at yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
> Thank you Brendan for taking the time to organize and share this
> information - so precious and such a generous gift!
>
>
>
> I am curious about the sponsor who "put his neck out" to make the event
> happen.
>
> Had he experienced OST before? Did you have to "convince" him? What made
> him willing to "jump through the hoops?" Was it the OST process or was it
> you that he trusted?
>
>
>
> Chuni Li
>
> New Jersey
>
>
>
> *From:* Brendan McKeague <mckeaguebrendan at gmail.com>
> *To:* World wide Open Space Technology email list <
> oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
> *Sent:* Thursday, January 30, 2014 9:34 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Sponsor PreWork Conversation (long)
>
>
>
> You're very welcome Tricia - this List continues to live the invitation
> issued by Harrison all those years ago - to share what we learn...
>
>
>
> An addendum to the story is that the sponsor is now preparing to host mini
> Open Space meetings on the key themes that have emerged from the Book of
> Proceedings. This is very much within his own responsibility range so no
> convincing or permissions now required.  And some of the 'higher-uppers'
> who attended the event were very impressed by what happened that they will
> carry this positive story back to the State Committee as evidence.
> 'Whatever happens is the only thing....'
>
>
>
> I continue to be guided and sustained by Margaret Wheatley's invitation
> to activists to 'let go of the need to make a difference'....
>
>
>
> and it seems to me, that when I don't NEED to make a difference, and
> engage from another place within me, that is when I do!
>
>
>
> Ah the paradox of it all....
>
>
>
> Cheers Brendan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 31/01/2014, at 4:31 AM, Tricia Chirumbole wrote:
>
>
>
> Thanks so much Brendan for taking the time to share this! I have saved
> your information for my own training and I am likely to plagiarize at some
> point :)
>
>
> Tricia Chirumbole
> US: +1-571-232-0942
> Skype: tricia.chirumbole
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 30, 2014 at 3:21 PM, Diane Gibeault <diane.gibeault at rogers.com>
> wrote:
>
> Well said Brendan! These are the kind of questions people new to OS who
> plan on offering, organizing or facilitating an event, want to be ready to
> answer. Thank you for that  brief and effective way of sharing your
> informative answers.
>
>
>
> Diane
>
>
>
> *From:* Brendan McKeague <mckeaguebrendan at gmail.com>
> *To:* OS Listserve <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
> *Sent:* Thursday, January 30, 2014 12:32:33 AM
> *Subject:* [OSList] Sponsor PreWork Conversation (long)
>
>
>
> Hi folks
>
>
>
> I've recently completed a one-day OST meeting with around 150
> participants. It went very well and the sponsor was delighted (and much
> relieved) as he had 'put his neck out' with his 'higher-uppers' all along
> the way in order to have the event in the first place.  One of the hoops he
> had to jump through beforehand was to to present a business case and
> justification for using OST in this context....I've recorded some of the
> email conversation that we've had as we progressed the discernment towards
> decision - over about three months. I thought some co-learners might be
> interested in parts of the to-ing and fro-ing dialogue - and would love
> to hear your comments around the questions this first-time user of OST is
> asking....or rather, being compelled to ask.
>
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Brendan
>
>
>
>
>
> Q: Does OST work with bigger numbers - the work shop will be large with
> an estimated 150+ diverse state and local government, industry, NGO and
> possibly some citizens attending.
> R: Open Space Technology (OST) is applicable regardless of numbers and
> diversity - indeed, we often find that the more stakeholder complexity, the
> better it works. I have worked with up to 350 participants and colleagues
> elsewhere with over 2000.
>
> The workshop is part of the finalisation of the Draft Strategic Plan and
> is being held to respond to the various propositions and issues raised in
> the public comment phase early this year.  I have very briefly outlined the
> draft objectives and role of the selected facilitator below:
>
>  *Objective:*
> The Strategic Plan is a new format for xxxxxx planning that challenges
> the current status quo of planning. Further consultation is required to
> provide a greater level of understanding of the 'systems' concept, and seek
> input on content and implementation issues.   Main objectives include:
>
>
> ·         To build a collaborative environment ;
> R: OST certainly creates the opportunity for this - with the benefit of
> no predetermined agenda, all participants are invited to collaborate in
> co-creating the agenda around what's really important to them.
>
>
> ·         provide a greater understanding of the legislation impetus;
> R: OST allows participants to diverge and engage with others who have
> similar questions/issues in order to clarify understandings and pursue
> ideas that matter to them
>
>
> ·         genuine input and actions to assist in the finalisation of the
> Strategic Plan
>
> R: OST invites those who wish to contribute according to interest
> (passion) and responsibility - and then to offer to be part of ongoing
> actions beyond the event itself
>
>
> *Main role for Facilitator:*
>
> ·         Organisation of 150 stakeholders - some groups will be
> considered high risk.
>
> R: In OST, the participants self-organise and self-manage around what
> they care about - its a marvellous, fluid way to enable
> genuine/transparent
>
> collaboration, participation, inclusivity and emergence - thereby
> diminishing the likelihood of distraction by the disgruntled or  a
> hi-jacking by the heavies
>
>
>
> ·         Creating a strategic, dynamic and collaborative process in and
> out of the workshop
>
> R: OST is a world-leading technology for this type of process
>
>
> . memorable, positive, inspiring - has to have the same takeaway as *previous
> (Deliberative Democracy) forum* i.e. participation was worthy of time,
> feel inspired, have made a difference -
> R: no process (or facilitator) in the world can guarantee these outcomes -
> unfortunately for me!   OST can create the space where they are most
> likely to show up, provided that the sponsors have done their preparation
> properly - i.e.  asked the right question, issued the right invitation,
> created the right space....then, the folks who care to show up in response
> do the rest by themselves. The power of a great OST mtg comes from the
>  release of passionate energy when people are given the freedom to do what
> they really care about
>
> ·         Participants must go home with a greater more positive
> understanding (including impetus for use) of the SPS and systems thinking
>
> R: its very difficult to enforce the 'must go home with' aspiration when
> working with a group of mature (and diverse) adults. I can however say,
> from my experience of facilitating over 250 OST mtgs around the country
> in the last 15 years,  that OST does provide everyone with the
> opportunity to participate at the level they chose, to ask the questions
> they bring with them, to engage with others who care about similar issues,
> to record their conversations, to contribute to action outcomes and to
> learn more about the  topic about which they're meeting.  And in all of
> that, they usually have a lot of fun too!
>
>
>
> ·         Defining clear objectives and parameter of discussion
>
> R: Once again, this is the work of the sponsors beforehand - we call these
> 'the givens' that form part of the invitation in OST - the container in
> which 'the space is open' - then let the people get to work around what
> they came to do
>
>
> ·         Day round up
>
> R: OST usually finishes with a Closing Circle for comments from
> participants and sponsors
>
>
>
> Dear Brendan,
>
> In an attempt to manage stakeholders expectations and ensure effective
> facilitation of diverse ~150 stakeholders within the broad scope (theme:
> Making the Planning Strategy a Success) , could you please kindly advise
> based on the desired outcomes (below) as to whether any other facilitation
> method would achieve the same outcomes as Open Space Technology (OST).
>
>
>
> ·         Time and labour efficient
>
> R: I know of no other process that will get 150 people working on what
> they want to work on together as quickly as OST; with the opening
> explanation and agenda creation taking about 45-50mins, the whole 150
> participants can get down to work quickly on issues that are important to
> them.
>
> ·         Memorable and inspiring
>
> R: This is a product of participation on the day. The participants will
> create their own agenda around what's important to them and so they are
> invited to take responsibility for what they offer and engage with i.e. if
> it is not memorable and inspiring, then it may be that they have not
> responded fully to the invitation and they are in the wrong place - they
> can use the Law of Mobility to move elsewhere - or even leave if what's on
> offer is not why they came. Hence the importance of creating a clear,
> transparent and irresistible invitation for those who wish to make this
> Strategy a success.  It is extremely important for the Sponsors to be
> familiar with, and endorse, the guarantees of an OST meeting - see
> attached explanation.
>
>
>
> ·         collaborative
> R: There are many levels of collaboration. Mature collaboration is about
> engaging with others - who may have very similar or very different views-
> and taking time to listen well, to speak truthfully about issues that are
> important and to be open to what emerges. Lesser forms/models of
> collaboration adopt coercion, compliance and competition as a container for
> obtaining predetermined desired outcomes. OST provides a container for
> self-organising around what is identified as important by those who wish
> to (or even, 'have to') do something about implementing this strategy. The
> OST process models the intention of seeking more mature collaboration
> around complex issues involving multiple stakeholders.
>
>
>
> ·         Enables strategic thinking
> R:  The Planning Strategy has been developed - i.e. the diagnostics have
> been completed - based on various previous consultations. Now is the time
> for moving into implementation and operationalising the outcomes. This
> requires a dialogical process - where those responsible for
> implementation have opportunities to interpret, clarify, be creative,
> innovative and consider how they are going to do this within their own
> circles of influence. As I understand it, it's exploratory and open - there
> is not one uniform way of making this work successfully - it there is, then
> OST is not needed -  people are told what to do and resourced to do it.
> OST provides space for creativity, diverse views and novel ideas to be
> named and explored.  This cannot be legislated in advance - it needs to
> emerge from the confluence of energy, knowledge, skills, experiences and
> potentially contentious views of those who show up. OST is the most
> transparent process for this, with inbuilt principles of self-determination
> that enable high levels of passionate energy, high levels of learning and
> high levels of 'fun' to show up on the day.
>
>
>
> ·         Rapid consensus
>
> R: This is another question entirely. In a one-day meeting of 150 diverse
> stakeholders, what are you seeking 'rapid consensus' on?
>
> I would need to hear more from you about your purpose and intentions here.
> In my experience, when consensus is an expectation in such a short
> time-frame with so many people, there are too often 'winners and losers'
> and people can easily get bogged down in detail around language
> interpretation, aggressive defensiveness and even destructive competition
> to try to force a neat outcome.  There are other, often more appropriate,
> ways of creating and sustaining alignment with the Strategy into the future
> (e.g. by creating and supporting 'communities of practice' around key
> themes emerging from the OST meeting)
>
>
>
>
> R:  Thanks for asking these key clarifying questions.  I realise how
> important this conference is in terms of creating a platform for
> implementation of the Planning Strategy. I agree that the process on the
> day needs to be the best match for your purpose.
>
>
> I have inserted a few comments and attached a brief 2 page explanation of
> OST and its 'guarantees'.
>
> In a nutshell, OST is not driven by 'predetermined outcomes' (my words) -
> it is about creating space for engagement and emergence with those who will
> be doing the work of implementation. It is a self-organising dialogicalprocess that, in my opinion, is most suitable for this stage of your
> Planning Strategy.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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--

David Osborne



www.change-fusion.com | dosborne at change-fusion.com | 703.939.1777
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