[OSList] open message to Nick Martin
Bhavesh Patel
bhavmail at gmail.com
Sun Jun 9 11:34:44 PDT 2019
Hi Barry,
You wrote " *My general observation is that Open Space happens at some
level every time any group gathers . . . Having the meeting using OST
simply increases the impact for more of the participants. So . . . *"
I am in total agreement that life, the universe and everything is an
on-going OST.
However, does your message mean, call it OST, and do what you want because
at the end of the day anyway OST will creep in there somewhere?
Also I guess you have experienced enough OST to notice it everywhere, how
does that work for those who have not?
I know the answer to my questions, and in fact any question, is "...well
just open more space"... and yet... because of the beauty I have
experienced in my own life and in groups etc through the opening of
space... I feel a kind of 'lost opportunity' when something is presented
explicitly as OST and then what is done is far from OST... it offers the
hope of a trickle, when a river lock could have been opened... and yet I
know that even a trickle can lead to more...
I dunno, think I am touching on some of paradox about letting go to allow
more instead of holding on... hmmmm... lost in thought...
Smiles Bhav...
On Sun, 9 Jun 2019 at 19:27, Barry Owen via OSList <
oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
> Harold - What you wrote is great. Thank you!
>
> Bhavish, I could copy and paste your comments @ Massacre of Open Space and
> send them to a group that does an annual event here in Nashville.
>
> This event began with me doing an Open Space event. I invited REALTORS to
> come together to talk about issues and opportunities we were facing as a
> direct result of the Economic Downward Spiral in 2008 which was devastating
> for many. Because this topic also affected all of the "Service Support"
> people we rely on during transactions (Lenders, Title Companies,
> Contractors, Inspectors, & etc), I invited them to come as sponsors. 24 of
> these sponsors paid $150 each for a table to display information about
> their business. This money paid all of the overhead, so the event was free
> for the REALTORS. I arranged these tables in a concentric circle around
> the Main Circle and invited the sponsors to attend as participants. This
> was an Open Space meeting about a very important issue with people from
> every conceivable Real Estate related business - 300 REALTORS attended, and
> the event was a huge success.
>
> The following year, I was queueing up a "2nd Annual" event when I was
> approached by a group of people who had the backing of the REALTOR
> Association. Based on the success of the event I facilitated, they decided
> to do it using BarCamp - NashvilleREBarcamp and scheduled their event to
> conflict with mine. They asked me join forces with them rather than having
> 2 different events. With reservation, I agreed, and the event was also a
> huge success (Although not Open Space) - 500 Participants - More
> "Traditional" arrangement for sponsors who paid more money to sponsor
> breakout spaces and were not, under any circumstances, allowed to do any
> promotion beyond their name on the breakout space.
>
> Over the past 10 years, that event has grown and morphed into what you
> describe . . . and even worse. The 10th Annual was a couple months ago -
> Over 700 REALTORS registered . . . There were @ 30 "Experts" who flew in
> from all over the country to "teach" sessions. There were @ 35 sessions (I
> did one about "Operating a Brokerage in Open Space"). All of the sessions
> were scheduled before the doors opened. I was disappointed because I
> thought it could have been way better in Open Space Technology, but . . .
>
> I decided it was better than nothing :-) As I went through the day, I
> noticed that, even though OST wasn't the process for the meeting . . . Open
> Space happened for many of the participants.
>
> My general observation is that Open Space happens at some level every time
> any group gathers . . . Having the meeting using OST simply increases the
> impact for more of the participants. So . . .
>
> Harrison Owen's mantra of "Just Open more Space" is happening every day as
> each of us is out there engaging important and complex issues and
> opportunities . . . even when it doesn't look like OST.
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 7, 2019 at 3:58 PM Harold Shinsato via OSList <
> oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
>> Very interesting conversation and attempts to describe OST!
>>
>> I'm reading Nassim Nicholas Taleb's book, Anti-Fragile. It seems to me
>> Open Space is antifragile.
>>
>> The idea of antifragility goes beyond resilience. Life in general is
>> antifragile. It doesn't just bounce back from set-backs. It actually gets
>> stronger as it overcomes challenges and stress.
>>
>> Antifragility seems relevant in this conversation as it seems the more
>> people try to document or describe Open Space, even with rather challenging
>> inaccuracies, the stronger it gets. I like Liberating Structures. The
>> 'min-specs' for OST seem accurate in the book and the website, even if it
>> leaves out how much more powerful it gets in the "long form" (or at least
>> more than 90 minutes). And it leaves out the need to get strong
>> authorization from leaders. I love that it says it's not open space without
>> the law of two feet. But the Liberating Structures 'min-specs' don't
>> emphasize the importance of not generating topics ahead of time. I've
>> unfortunately encountered rather large events claiming to be 'open space'
>> where the participants either generated the topics in advance, or worse,
>> didn't even get to generate the topics.
>>
>> The "Open Space" with-a-twist as described on
>> https://workshopbank.com/open-space-technology shows a nice picture and
>> I hope it introduces more folks to Open Space Technology. For me at least,
>> doing the agenda creation before the OST is an unconference trick, but it
>> hugely diminishes the potential power of OST.
>>
>> For what it is worth - Harrison Owen may not have claimed any ownership
>> rights of Open Space, but what he did do is ask us to share back what we
>> learn as we practice Open Space. That should start by honoring and sharing
>> our sources.
>>
>> Another way to reference back is a project the Open Space Institute U.S.
>> did a several years ago with Harrison Owen's help. "Open Space Technology:
>> The Reference Definition" which is Creative Commons Share and Adapt (cc
>> by-sa) licensed. So feel free to reference it as you share-and-extend.
>> Twisty or Straight!
>>
>> http://osius.org/ost-reference-definition
>>
>> Regards,
>> Harold
>>
>> On 6/5/19 8:10 AM, Robin Muretisch, Facilitative Insights, LLC via OSList
>> wrote:
>>
>> For everyone, the Liberating Structures site has a handy “min specs”
>> description of OST. Here’s the link:
>> http://www.liberatingstructures.com/25-open-space-technology/.
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Robin
>>
>>
>> Robin D. H. Muretisch, CPF, MBA, CPA
>>
>> IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator
>>
>> *robin at facinsights.com <robin at facinsights.com>* | 770.371.5874 | [image:
>> cid:image001.jpg at 01D48E49.D9A1E690]
>> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-muretisch/>
>>
>> [image: cid:image004.jpg at 01D48E4F.B1F26380] <http://www.facinsights.com/>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* OSList <oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org>
>> <oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org> *On Behalf Of *Nick Martin via
>> OSList
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 05, 2019 2:33 AM
>> *To:* Marai Kiele <genuine-contact at joyful-together.com>
>> <genuine-contact at joyful-together.com>; ost list international
>> <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
>> *Cc:* Nick Martin <nick at workshopbank.com> <nick at workshopbank.com>
>> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] open message to Nick Martin
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks for your open letter Marai. I'm always excited and willing to
>> receive feedback.
>>
>> As you'll remember over a year ago I opened up the content of this
>> article for comments and input from this list in the form of a Google Doc.
>>
>> Such was the passion exhibited in the original thread I was eager and
>> excited to receive your inputs. Unfortunately only two people replied
>> though. I'm very grateful to both you and Keith Blundell for taking the
>> time.
>>
>> I must admit life took over and in my wait for more input other
>> priorities took over. I'm happy to revisit it now though as I can feel the
>> energy is back and I'd like to the right thing in the eyes of this
>> excellent community.
>>
>> Here's the link -
>> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ufIsy0BQvIqlRUbW0FAyXHGV0IKw3VdDT8L91RIJJU8/edit?usp=sharing
>>
>> Please add your thoughts, comments and feedback and amend the article as
>> best I can.
>>
>>
>> [image: photo]
>>
>> *Nick Martin*
>> Founder & CEO,WorkshopBank
>>
>> *M * +45 42 47 00 74 <+45%2042%2047%2000%2074>*E * nick at workshopbank.com
>> <nick at workshopbank.com>*W * workshopbank.com
>>
>> <http://facebook.com/workshopbank>
>>
>> <http://dk.linkedin.com/in/nickmartn>
>>
>> <http://twitter.com/workshopbank>
>>
>>
>> On 05/06/2019 01:53, Marai Kiele wrote:
>>
>> Hello Nick Martin,
>>
>>
>>
>> I find myself tense in my belly after reading your newsletter today:
>>
>>
>>
>> I just wanted to share with you a popular WorkshopBank tool
>> <https://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiMjM3MTU2MiIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiNjc1OTQzNzE4MiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd29ya3Nob3BiYW5rLmNvbS9vcGVuLXNwYWNlLXRlY2hub2xvZ3k_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1kcmlwXHUwMDI2dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbFx1MDAyNnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXctdG9vbC1vcGVuLXNwYWNlXHUwMDI2X19zPXFtZXdvcGZiZnpzMnBvY3ltZTRnIn0> you
>> can start using with your clients right away. Let me know what you think.
>>
>>
>>
>> You suggest that the reader lets you know what they think. I choose to do
>> that.
>>
>>
>>
>> I also choose to do that in the form of an open letter, as several months
>> back you asked on the os-list for input to your description of the OST
>> process for the Workshopbank.
>>
>> You introduced your version of „OST with a twist“, and there was a
>> somewhat heated discussion on this list about it.
>>
>> I participated in both, revising and giving you feedback on your
>> description (as requested) and discussing about „is something with such a
>> twist still OST?“
>>
>>
>>
>> Your twist was about giving the leaders control about
>> the topics.
>>
>>
>>
>> Back then I used the analogy that you are mixing red wine with coca cola
>> (which some people actually do and drink — I tried it out as a teenager).
>>
>> And that calling such a beverage „red wine with a twist“ is an inaccurate
>> representation of a) red wine and b) the taste that a consumer will
>> experience.
>>
>> (side note: usually, this mix is done with red wine of poor quality)
>>
>>
>>
>> In my analogy, OST is the red wine and controlling the
>> process is the coke.
>>
>>
>>
>> In your description, you early on distinguish between OST and OST with a
>> twist. I first appreciated you for making that distinction so upfront.
>>
>> Then I read what you wrote under:
>>
>> *If you’re following the traditional Open Space Process...*
>>
>> - 1
>>
>> Gather your participants together and briefly explain how Open Space
>> events work using Harrison Owen’s 1 Law and the Guiding Principles as
>> appropriate. Traditionally you should do this with everyone in a circle
>> around you but you don’t necessarily have to.
>>
>> - 2
>>
>> Ask participants to spend 10 minutes thinking through if they have any
>> issues they’d like to raise.
>>
>> - 3
>>
>> If there is a general agreement that the issue has enough support and
>> passion behind it invite the issue owner to add the issue to the schedule.
>>
>> - 4
>>
>> Once all issues have been added invite the participants to sign-up for
>> the sessions they’re planning on attending (they are free to change their
>> mind later if they want to).
>>
>> - 5
>>
>> Your sessions start.
>>
>>
>>
>> There is much more on this page that, as I see it, is NOT "the
>> traditional Open Space Process“. I am giving just some further examples:
>>
>> https://workshopbank.com/open-space-technology
>> Process for a Session
>>
>> - 1
>>
>> Each session should be a round group of chairs (no table in the middle) with
>> preferably one facilitator to lead the discussion and a scribe on the
>> flip-chart.
>>
>> - 2
>>
>> A session starts with the issue owner welcoming and thanking the group
>> for coming and then giving a description of the issue as they see it.
>>
>> - 3
>>
>> The facilitator then leads the discussion inviting people to give their
>> input at their request.
>>
>> - 4
>>
>> The scribe records the discussion on flip chart paper making sure to
>> mark Issues, Ideas, Questions (that can’t be answered today) & Actions. When
>> a flip is finished they should tear it off and put it in the center of
>> the circle or on a nearby wall for people in the group to see.
>>
>> - 5
>>
>> Allow people to leave and arrive as they see fit though don’t allow them
>> to interrupt or slow-down your progress. It is a new arrival’s
>> responsibility to catch-up with the discussion using the flip chart outputs
>> no matter how high up or important they are.
>>
>> - 6
>>
>> When the issue looks like it has been covered and there are no more
>> inputs coming from your group thank them for their time and invite them to
>> join other groups if the session time is not over.
>>
>>
>>
>> To me, calling this description "the traditional Open Space Process“ I
>> wonder if
>>
>>
>>
>> - I am totally rigid and should just loosen up to the
>> variations of OST
>>
>> - You have never experienced a traditional Open Space
>> Process
>>
>> - You just don’t care about the originality and instead
>> rather cater to business needs of controlled processes that limit
>> self-organisation
>>
>> - I misremember all my trainings with Harrison Owen,
>> Michael M Pannwitz, Michael Pannwitz jr, Joe Töpfer, and last but not least
>> Birgitt Williams.
>>
>> - or… ?
>>
>>
>>
>> I totally don’t get it.
>>
>> I don’t like what you are doing.
>>
>> I also dislike that you market this description of „the traditional Open
>> Space Process“ as „a popular WorkshopBank Tool“.
>>
>>
>>
>> I feel sad when I imagine people following your description and spreading
>> the word that „this is the traditional way of doing OST“.
>>
>>
>>
>> Using my former analogy:
>>
>> I imagine what you are doing is like a beverage shop introducing someone
>> who has never tasted a good red wine to that beverage.
>>
>> Because this person usually drink coke, they are being given red wine
>> mixed with coke (to match their taste buds).
>>
>> And then they are being told, „this is a traditional Cabernet Sauvignon“.
>>
>>
>>
>> I want you to revise your description and move your adaptions away from
>> "the original version" to „OST with a twist“.
>>
>>
>>
>> Are you willing to do that?
>>
>>
>>
>> Probably even better: Call it „…………….. - a process partly inspired by
>> Open Space Technology“
>>
>>
>>
>> I look forward to your response,
>>
>> Marai
>>
>>
>>
>> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marai-kiele/
>>
>> https://about.me/maraikiele
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Harold Shinsato
>> harold at shinsato.com
>> http://shinsato.com
>> twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
>
> --
> *Barry Owen*
> *Inviter - Facilitator/Practicer of Open Space Technology *
> *Opening and Holding safe space for people and organizations to
> self-organize around important issues and opportunities. *
> *Invite - Listen - Love*
>
> *615-568-2123*
> *BarryOwen.us <http://BarryOwen.us>*
>
> *4004 Hillsboro Pike B234*
> *Nashville, TN 37215*
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