[OSList] Private vs Public OST Differences?

Wed Oct 15 10:20:02 PDT 2014

Christine - on the subject of "follow-through" - I hear what you are saying,
and it is a frustration that a lot of people seem to have. But frankly, I
don't share it. At the end of the day, stuff gets done when people care to
do it. I know of no plan, method, incantation that changes that equation.
And when you look at the "outcomes" of a big public meeting (OS) it is quite
clear that if they were all carefully placed of a spreadsheet with space
supplied for "accomplished," the picture is anything but clear. And for sure
it will never look like the Quarterly Report from some corporate planning
effort. But then again, most Quarterly Reports (my experience) are of
doubtful validity. They may well state what people thought would happen,
hoped would happen, should have happened... all subject to change with the
next Quarterly Report. 

But I think problem is simply that the world is a much more complicated
place, overwhelming our capacity to chart and categorize. For example it
could be that most of the recommendations (commitments) were judged upon
further reflection to be not such great ideas. The world changed - Or the
time frame was too short. Great ideas and projects sometimes just need to
"cook" for a while. Or... the real "outcome" was the conversation itself,
and the details were simply irrelevant. Or something...

Harrison  

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From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of
Christine Whitney Sanchez via OSList
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 11:44 AM
To: Daniel Mezick; World wide Open Space Technology email list
Subject: Re: [OSList] Private vs Public OST Differences?

Daniel and all,

In my experience, public events have the same buzz and meaningful results as
an in-organization OST.  I've facilitated a number of them that were
sponsored by a group of organizations in the community.  For instance,
Vibrant Phoenix <http://vibrantphx.com/next-actions/top-ideas/> , was a very
productive economic development OST, sponsored by two mayors of large
municipalities and several local businesses.  One of the business sponsors
agreed to be the contact for folks who wanted to take their "actionable
ideas" to the next level.  However, there was no budget and no
infrastructure to really keep folks connected the the ideas they cared the
most about.  

This is where the public open spaces generally fall short.  Because the
ongoing action is not the core mission of any of these organizations, it is
hoped that the participants will self-organize going forward.  With very few
exceptions, this does not happen.  I believe that sponsorship for the work
after the OST is what is called for.

The Collective Impact
<http://www.ssireview.org/blog/entry/channeling_change_making_collective_imp
act_work>  model speaks to this.  It's nothing new, really, but does
represent a simple way to talk about the necessary conditions for sustaining
collective action.  I now include my version of this model when I talk with
potential sponsors to shine the light beyond the meeting so that we can
discuss their intentions for providing backbone support for self-organized
action going forward.

I especially love public Open Space events and look forward to working with
sponsors who see the meeting as merely the first small step in collaborative
action.  There is so much potential!

Warm wishes from a sunny autumn morning in the rain-greened desert,

Christine

Christine Whitney Sanchez, M.C.

Phoenix, AZ, USA . +1.480.759.0262
www.innovationpartners.com 

Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/ChristineWhitneySanchez>  | LinkedIn
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinewhitneysanchez>  | Twitter
<https://twitter.com/CWhitneySanchez>  

On Oct 15, 2014, at 6:33 AM, Daniel Mezick via OSList
<oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

Greetings To All,

I notice that there are many big differences between public-conference-type
OST events, and OST events arranged for organizations. 

Do you also notice this? Maybe I am imagining this....just making stuff
up...

...maybe not. In many key dimensions, I experience these differences as
striking. Even disturbing.

And so I have been poking around inside the GUIDE (3rd edition) and I notice
that, in some spots, the implication is that the discussion is about a
public event. Up to page 18 for example, this implication is clear:

<THE GUIDE PAGE 18>

Working With The Client if you ARE NOT the Sponsor

"To this point I have assumed that you (the reader) will be the sponsor and
facilitator of the Open Space, and therefore it is your decision as to
whether or not to proceed...(emphasis added.)

</THE GUIDE PAGE 18>

My current belief is that having the same person in the Sponsor role **and**
the Facilitator role is probably a very bad idea for an OST event inside an
organization. For the typical public-conference event on the other hand,
this seems to work just fine. Kinda like a Barcamp or Unconference....

Another current belief I hold is that OST is the essential tool for creating
"Development and Transformation in Organizations". It is best suited for use
in organizations. 

It is interesting to note how the Barcamp and/or "Unconference" formats seem
to get the same or as-good results as Open Space, in the public conference
setting. 

Not so inside organizations! In fact, as of now, I don't think Barcamp or
Unconference has any chance whatsoever at being effective in bringing about
Development and Transformation in Organizations the way Open Space can.
Something about the Sponsor?

Daniel

-- 

Daniel Mezick, President

New Technology Solutions Inc.

(203) 915 7248 (cell)

Bio <http://newtechusa.net/dan-mezick/> .  <http://newtechusa.net/blog/>
Blog.  <http://twitter.com/#%21/danmezick/> Twitter. 

Examine my new book:   <http://newtechusa.net/about/the-culture-game-book/>
The Culture Game : Tools for the Agile Manager.

Explore Agile Team  <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-training/>
Training and  <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-coaching/>
Coaching.

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