[OSList] Good questions for a OS

Alan Halford alan at alanhalford.com.au
Wed Jun 13 19:01:57 PDT 2018 

Thanks for the reminder about the Inviting Guide, I’d forgotten all about it
Alan

On 13 Jun 2018, at 11:59 pm, Michael Herman via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:

I want to second what Marai says about "How..." questions, because they are such an easy default.  I, too, find them more closing than opening.  I think we actually tend to hear "How do we..." as "Do you know how we can..."  which is essentially a yes-no question without a lot of potential for discussion.  

Having tried for many many years to improve on "What are the issues and opportunities for... (usually the future of something)?" -- and only occasionally, very situationally, succeeded... I've pretty much stopped trying.  There's lots of room for discussion, framing and storytelling in the invitation, but the "issues and opps" question is as good a punch line there is for anchoring the invitation and carrying into the circle.  It's wide open, nobody knows the whole answer, and it leaves room for positives and negatives, history and futures.  

Once upon a time, a client was struggling with the drafting of an invitation.  I made a list of questions and suggested she think about short answers to each, or the ones that resonated most.  She and then others found that useful.  Over the years that page evolved into a short guide and then I wrapped all the rest of my favorite OS sharing materials around it.  

Here's the link to that document, still called an "Inviting Guide."  http://www.michaelherman.com/publications/inviting_leadership_guide.pdf <http://www.michaelherman.com/publications/inviting_leadership_guide.pdf>  I often point clients to the one page full of questions that might be useful and suggest they sketch a few lines to answer a few of the most relevant questions.  They're listed in an order that the answers could almost always be simply strung together in that order and make good sense, but that almost never happens.  In the end that list of questions is just a way to ease into the potential.  

And, having just cracked open Harrison's User's Guide for the first time in a long time, I find no reference to the "broad and inclusive" language mentioned earlier, but the Guide itself is still a marvel of substance and simplicity!!  

Michael










 
--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
312-280-7838 (mobile)

http://MichaelHerman.com <http://michaelherman.com/>
http://OpenSpaceWorld.org <http://openspaceworld.org/>



On Tue, Jun 12, 2018 at 10:24 PM, Thomas Herrmann via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:
Wooow, thanks Rolf, sounds like lots of fun and rewarding. Will try it!
Thomas

Skickat från min iPhone

12 juni 2018 kl. 19:18 skrev Rolf F. Katzenberger via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>>:

> Craig,
> 
> 
> sometimes I use a specific setup to help an org/core team refine their intial "raw" question. Essentially, it's 5 people (or 5 pairs, groups, ...) assuming one role, each:
> 
> IT - represents the need and the purpose
> I - represent the caller(s)
> YOU represent ta single (!) person receiving the call
> WE - represent the relationship between the Is and the YOUs
> FLOW - represents the flow & lifecycle of IT, and of the open space
> Whatever format for a conversation these 5 people choose, they'll be refining the raw question along the lines of the meta-question: "As one of these five, what do I need to feel myself represented well by this question?"
> 
> 
> This leads to all kinds of interesting discussions, like:
> 
> IT wants to be more open, e.g. "hey, we're already imposing a conclusion on the YOUs!"
> I want to be more visible, "those folks want to see a living person behind the call"
> YOU want to feel appreciated and attracted - there's not enough in it to convince YOU to come yet
> WE want to be something new, together - what kind of relationship am I inviting YOU to?
> FLOW wants this to be less restricted / confined / pre-arranged, "WE are still in our infancy, folks..."
> ...and so on.... Just remember to talk about what each of the five wants more of, instead of what it wants less of. Otherwise, alternative words will have a really hard time emerging.
> 
> Usually, it also pays to have a limit of 12 words for the question (suggests that you make decisions and avoid the committee-phrasing-syndrome; set priorities; stay open), and many times it's even helpful to use the Fridge Magnet technique (stick large post it with one word each to a wall, put alternative words in columns, play with it in the group, always keep the full question in sight and see what it feels like).
> 
> 
> In the end, seek consent (no severe objections to the refined question), not consensus (everybody is very fine with the refined question). If there is consensus among the 5, there is no need for an open space, I'd say ;-)
> 
> Just my 2 cents, maybe it's helpful.
> Rolf
> -- 
> «If it works, it's right.» | «Richtig ist, was funktioniert.»
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> https://fromthebackoftheroom.training <https://fromthebackoftheroom.training/> | https://fromthebackoftheroom.training/de <https://fromthebackoftheroom.training/de>
> Craig Gilliam via OSList schrieb am 11.06.2018 um 15:35:
>> I do not post often, but I read the Open Space Posts regularly and find them thought-provoking and helpful. Thanks! 
>> 
>> I practice Open Space in multiple contexts professionally and in my own person life. Am a strong believer in what it creates and invites from and out in others and myself. . .
>> 
>> When I begin with groups, I regularly hear, "What makes for a good question?" I have my responses, but want to hear what you have to say. I am looking for suggestions, thoughts, ideas, resources (books) etc., that you would recommend to help people/groups identify and write helpful/good theme/intention questions for OS conversation. What are the qualities of a good question, and what are some resources you suggest?
>> 
>> Invite your thoughts. Thanks to anyone who has some thoughts or suggestions on this.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Craig
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Dr. W. Craig Gilliam
>> 
>> 2927 Paradise Dr.
>> 
>> Shreveport, LA 71105
>> 
>> 504-250-4046 <tel:%28504%29%20250-4046>
>> 
>> Achiever | Learner | Adaptability | Maximizer | Relator
>> 
>> 
>> To live fully is our call.
>> 
>>     On this grand adventure,
>> 
>>          our mere being says that we are invited. . .
>> 
>> (The Invitation by w. craig gilliam;, original 2015, revised 2017)
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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