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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Luminary! Love the word. Suggests light in
abundance. Elimination of shadows. Cessation of uncertainty. Enlightenment for
sure! How strange that such people can be real party poopers!! I can certainly
understand the syndrome. Always treated like pampered princes, they suddenly join
the people. Shocking!!! And yet in my own experience, the true “Luminaries”
are those who share their light without prejudice or precondition – they are
just there, fully present to the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I suppose you could look a being in Open
Space as a sort of separation of the sheep from the goats – those who
require the spot light from those who are the light. That always ends up being
a useful determination, I think. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>When it comes to working with “Luminaries”
(false or true) in Open Space, I have never found it necessary to do anything
different from what I would ordinarily do, such as: 1) Have a good heart to
heart conversation with the sponsors before the gathering. Especially about the
guest list and the invitation. Make it very clear that this is an event for
those who care to come which automatically makes them the right people –
whose “rightness” is determined by their caring and not their “star
power.” If they want star power, have a star show – fill the
theatre seats with folks, turn out the lights (keep them in the dark </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>) – and turn on the
stars. I guess there is a place for something like that, but it’s not
open space. 2) Help people to understand that the motive power is passion and
responsibility – which amongst other things makes it very clear that the quality
of the experience (both learning and contribution) is totally in the hands of
each participant. And if there is a problem – The Law of Two Feet will
cut in.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Seems to work every time.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Harrison<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> [mailto:<st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b><st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Peggy Holman</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Saturday, August 18, 2007
8:25 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> The challenge of
"luminaries"</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Following the conference, we head from one of them, who was quite
turned off by the whole experience. Here's an excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>> 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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>(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.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>thoughts?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>curiously, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Peggy<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>________________________________<br>
<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Peggy Holman</st1:PersonName><br>
The Open Circle Company<br>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">15347 SE 49th Place</st1:address></st1:Street><br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Bellevue</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">WA</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">98006</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><br>
(425) 746-6274 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a href="http://www.opencirclecompany.com">www.opencirclecompany.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
For the new edition of The Change Handbook, go to: <br>
<a href="http://www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook">www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>"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<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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