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<DIV>Along with Stephen Silha, I just completed an Open Space with 150
journalists. Actually, it was a mix of mainstream journalists, media
educators and students, and citizen journalists. It is the 5th gathering
of the "system of journalism" that Stephen and I have done in the last 2
years. It was also the largest. Along with the size, it brought a
new twist to our journalism work.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We have developed a positive reputation and as a result, attracted a
handful of people considered expert in the changing landscape of
journalism. These "luminaries" are used to being on stage, the ones others
turn to as the experts. And, while ego may be a factor for some of them,
they truly do bring particularly valuable insights.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Following the conference, we head from one of them, who was quite turned
off by the whole experience. Here's an excerpt:</DIV>
<DIV>> Instead I was at a New Age, "open circle" conference where<BR>> the
questions were as flat and meaningless as possible so no one would feel<BR>>
excluded. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Just so we don't dwell on this individual, a variation of this luminary
situation occurred with the Nexus for Change. In that examploe, I spoke
with one of the "luminaries" who had originally planned on attending. She
cancelled at the last moment because she just didn't see a role for
herself. She described herself as a high introvert and without a role,
felt she would not be comfortable there.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>So, here's my question: these folks (even the ones with egos) have
gifts to offer. What experiences have you had in creating conditions where
luminaries/elders/experts actually see a role for themselves and make a
productive contribution to an Open Space?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>(In retrospect, my current thought is to talk to them beforehand and
encourage them to post a session on a question they wish to explore or, if
they don't feel the others present are sophisticated enough for their
question (whether that is actually the case is an entirely different question),
at least post a session on a subject they believe others would be
interested in learning about from them.)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>thoughts?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>curiously, </DIV>
<DIV>Peggy</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>________________________________<BR>Peggy Holman<BR>The Open Circle
Company<BR>15347 SE 49th Place<BR>Bellevue, WA 98006<BR>(425) 746-6274
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://www.opencirclecompany.com">www.opencirclecompany.com</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>For the new edition of The Change Handbook, go to: <BR><A
href="http://www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook">www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook</A>
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get
burnt, is to become <BR>the fire".<BR> -- Drew
Dellinger</DIV></BODY></HTML>
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