[OSList] Impact of open space

Sun Feb 19 11:08:25 PST 2017

As Birgitt already said, it’s what happens in the long run that makes Open Space so profoundly and subversively powerful. It can shift individual and collective narratives that define identity.

As it did, I think, for those of us at Expanding Our Now on the Oregon coast years ago. Thanks to Harrison and Anne for hosting us so well. Remembering powerful conversations with Birgitt, Harrison, Anne, and others.

I think it can be elusive to understand the impact because it is often at level of the stories that define us so 1) it takes a while to ripple through into game changing actions and 2) people often forget to draw the line from what changed their thinking to the actions they took as a result. Plus those actions are often ambitious and cross traditional silos so they can take some time to ramp up.

A recent example. Because we’re planning a second journalism and community engagement convening in partnership with the Agora Journalism Center, I’ve recently been in touch with a number of folks who attended Journalism That Matters' October 2015 convening. A remarkable number of them have told me variations of “it changed the work I’m doing” or “it changed the way I do my work”. One tangible example: a journalism professor who has a class that does a quarterly student magazine approached the issue by reaching out to the public - students and others - to explore the topic and how to cover it BEFORE planning the issue. So their work was informed by what people wanted to know. They hosted another public gathering after the issue came out to learn how people were using the stories to make a difference.

Anyway, the gist of what I’m saying is Open Space convenings can be life changing for individuals, organizations and communities. When I was working on Engaging Emergence, this is the way I described what is likely to happen:

Individually, we are stretched and refreshed—We feel more courageous and inspired to pursue what matters to us. With a myriad of new ideas, and confident of mentors, supporters, and fans, we act.

New and unlikely partnerships form—When we connect with people whom we don’t normally meet, sparks may fly. Creative conditions make room for our differences, fostering lively and productive interactions.

Breakthrough projects surface—Experiments are inspired by interactions among diverse people.

Community is strengthened—We discover kindred spirits among a diverse mix of strangers. Lasting connections form, and a sense of kinship grows. We realize that we share an intention—a purpose or calling guided by some deeper source of wisdom. Knowing that our work serves not just ourselves but a larger whole increases our confidence to act.

The culture begins to change—With time and continued interaction, a new narrative of who we are takes shape.

Peggy
_________________________________
Peggy Holman
Executive Director
Journalism that Matters
15347 SE 49th Place
Bellevue, WA  98006
206-948-0432
www.journalismthatmatters.net
www.peggyholman.com
Twitter: @peggyholman
JTM Twitter: @JTMStream

Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity <http://www.engagingemergence.com/>

> On Feb 19, 2017, at 8:55 AM, Harrison Owen via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
> 
> “Long ago, I lost my interest in whether the OST went well and we had lovely comments in the closing circle. I am deeply passionate about what happens months later.” (Birgitt)
>  
> It’s true. OST is essentially boring. It always works. No matter how you define “works,” … it always does. 
>  
> Of course, the real secret, I think, is that OST doesn’t do a damn thing. It simply invites each one of us to be who we are. And in most cases (every time, I find) – People just can’t resist. Rather like inviting somebody to talk about themselves. May be a little slow at the start, but the case is rare that the “Narrator” in each one of us doesn’t spring forward – especially when their favorite subject (themselves and what they care about) is the content. 
>  
> So from where I sit, it isn’t the process (OST) that works or doesn’t (“eliciting lovely comment in the closing circle”) – It is the people being themselves, and really enjoying that! 
>  
> Brings tears to my eyes every time.
>  
>  
>  
> Harrison
>  
>  
> Winter Address
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
> Potomac, MD 20854
> 301-365-2093
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> Summer Address
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> Websites
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> From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Birgitt Williams via OSList
> Sent: Friday, February 17, 2017 5:59 PM
> To: Royle, Karl; World wide Open Space Technology email list
> Subject: Re: [OSList] Impact of open space
>  
> Hi Karl,
> Thank you for answering. A key ingredient that you mentioned was that the space was already open for something to happen.
>  
> you also mention that much of the creative energy falls into the fissures and cracks of the organization. I have spent some time in the last couple of decades plus figuring out what we do that reduces this loss. I have had feedback that 100% of the strategic plan was successfully accomplished as a result of our process using OST, in record time...ie: the ten year plan accomplished in two years, even with layers of government to contend with.
>  
> I find that in every OST meeting, there are great conversations that otherwise wouldn't happen and by the end the circle includes people deeply moved by what they accomplished and WHO they could BE together. Once this is a lived and shared experience, it is difficult to pretend that this potential isn't in the organization.
>  
> I have found as you did that there is some feeling of goodwill and better cooperation etc that can be tied back to the beginnings of same in the OST meeting.
>  
> I have also found that when the ongoing life of the organization doesn't support this sufficiently, a backlash happens with the frustration that people feel when they have experienced their potential and it is not allowed to shine. I have found a backlash from leaders who feel poorly equipped personally to lead an organization that actually capitalizes on the potential.
>  
> Long ago, I lost my interest in whether the OST went well and we had lovely comments in the closing circle. I am deeply passionate about what happens months later.
>  
> I look forward to more of your posts as you go forward with these ventures,
> Warmly,
> Birgitt
> 
> On Fri, Feb 17, 2017 at 4:40 PM Royle, Karl <K.Royle at wlv.ac.uk <mailto:K.Royle at wlv.ac.uk>> wrote:
>> Hi
>>  
>> I think in this case the idea coincided with necessity and existing external drivers for enhancing the student experience ...outcomes. So I think there was already space opening for something to happen. I also think the head of faculty ... for all her faults, and she had many, was willing to take a chance on OS...to try to bind us together or at least get us all talking. The otherness of the external facilitator was crucial too. At the event people came to me and said that it was the first time they had felt able to speak at an event and felt
>> Listened to.
>>  
>> Since then we have used os with school kids and next month with our health and art faculty to start projects that combine the two disciplines... so I think there is space for os and still space for what happens afterwards... it certainly releases creative energy... much of which falls into the cracks and fissures of the organisation but other bits lodge and take root like benevolent viruses within the culture
>>  
>> :-) 
>>  
>> Sent by iPhone
>> Karl Royle 
>> Head of Enterprise and Commercial Development
>>  
>> Faculty of Education Health and Wellbeing
>> University of Wolverhampton 
>> 01902323006
>> 07815416698
>> @karlroyle. On Twitter
>> Karlr61 Skype 
>> Www.academia.edu/karlroyle <http://www.academia.edu/karlroyle> 
>> 
>> On 17 Feb 2017, at 21:31, Birgitt Williams via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Beautiful example Karl!!!! I also like that you have a faculty of educational health and well being. That is awesome too. 
>>>  
>>> Would you be willing to say more about how the outputs from the OST meeting(s) bumped up against the existing 'reality' of structure etc., and what happened to soften all of that up sufficiently for the outputs from the OST to make the difference that they did. This is the transition point that I am personally so dedicated to that can be challenging...and it seems that you all did so successfully! 
>>>  
>>> Warmly,
>>> Birgitt
>>> 
>>> On Fri, Feb 17, 2017 at 4:22 PM Royle, Karl via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:
>>>> About three years ago in
>>>> 2013 our university decide to merge four schools into an über faculty. We needed to get people working together . So I suggested an open space meeting ably facilitated by my colleague Jasmina Nikolic and supported by Suzanne Daigle's guide to open space. We had about 300 people in a sports hall...
>>>> 
>>>> Fast forward 4 years and the university is running a careers development week across all faculties and some 20000 students opening up opportunities for our students in one of the most deprived areas of the uk. The guy organising it messaged me saying he could draw a direct line from careers week back to the os event where he first had the idea.
>>>> 
>>>> Just thought I would share that story with you all...
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Sent by iPhone
>>>> Karl Royle
>>>> Head of Enterprise and Commercial Development
>>>> 
>>>> Faculty of Education Health and Wellbeing
>>>> University of Wolverhampton
>>>> 01902323006
>>>> 07815416698
>>>> @karlroyle. On Twitter
>>>> Karlr61 Skype
>>>> Www.academia.edu/karlroyle <http://www.academia.edu/karlroyle>
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>>> -- 
>>>  
>>>  
>>>  
>>> Birgitt Williams
>>>  
>>> President & Senior Consultant of Dalar International Consultancy, Inc. 
>>> http://www.dalarinternational.com <http://www.dalarinternational.com/>
>>> Co-founder of the Extraordinary Leadership Network http://www.extraordinaryleadershipnetwork.com <http://www.extraordinaryleadershipnetwork.com/>
>>> Co-founder of the Genuine Contact™program and author of The Genuine Contact Way: Nourishing a Culture of Leadership  http://www.genuinecontactway.com <http://www.genuinecontactway.com/>                   
>>> Co-owner of the Genuine Contact Co-owners Group Ltd. http://www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net/>
>>>  
>>> Supporting leadership development for leading in a culture requiring agility and flexibility in a performance environment of constant change.
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>>> Leadership development at your own pace? Become a member of the Extraordinary Leadership Network http://www.extraordinaryleadershipnetwork.com <http://www.extraordinaryleadershipnetwork.com/> to participate in an online leadership development program designed to increase the leadership skills and capacity you need to perform in a performance environment of constant change. 
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> -- 
>  
>  
>  
> Birgitt Williams
>  
> President & Senior Consultant of Dalar International Consultancy, Inc. 
> http://www.dalarinternational.com <http://www.dalarinternational.com/>
> Co-founder of the Extraordinary Leadership Network http://www.extraordinaryleadershipnetwork.com <http://www.extraordinaryleadershipnetwork.com/>
> Co-founder of the Genuine Contact™program and author of The Genuine Contact Way: Nourishing a Culture of Leadership  http://www.genuinecontactway.com <http://www.genuinecontactway.com/>                   
> Co-owner of the Genuine Contact Co-owners Group Ltd. http://www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net/>
>  
> Supporting leadership development for leading in a culture requiring agility and flexibility in a performance environment of constant change.
>  
> Leadership development at your own pace? Become a member of the Extraordinary Leadership Network http://www.extraordinaryleadershipnetwork.com <http://www.extraordinaryleadershipnetwork.com/> to participate in an online leadership development program designed to increase the leadership skills and capacity you need to perform in a performance environment of constant change. 
>  
> PO Box 19373, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA 27619
> phone: 1-919-522-7750
> _______________________________________________
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