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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>On September 12, 2008, Berrett-Koehler will publish my new
book, <i><span style='font-style:italic'>Wave Rider: Leadership for High
Performance in a Self Organizing World.</span></i> As I explained to my
publisher, Steve Piersanti, this is the book I have been waiting to write
because it represents my final report on my participation in a grand natural
experiment. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The experiment, of course, is that ridiculously simple way
to elegant gatherings, Open Space Technology. As you may know, the creation of OST
was not a labor intensive activity. In fact it appeared in my mind on the
strength of two martinis in the time it took to drink them. That was 23 years
ago, and in the intervening period millions of people from 134 countries have
discovered that if you will sit in a circle, create a bulletin board, open a
market place, and go to work -- some fairly incredible things are likely to
happen. Massively complex issues can be dealt with in amazingly short periods
of time. Intense conflict can find useful paths of resolution. And it seems to
happen all by itself. There are even recorded cases where the sole facilitator
took a nap!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I have no way of knowing what all these people thought about
their experience, but I found it profoundly mystifying. How could something so
simple do so much? Considered against the dominant theory and practice of
organization and meetings, such things not only could not happen, they should
not happen. But it did and it does.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Over time it occurred to me that the magic was not Open Space
Technology, but something infinitely more powerful and profound: the elemental
force of Self Organization. For whatever reason, I have had a lifetime
fascination with the great cosmic dance of chaos and order. My 1965 thesis
could have born the title, “Chaos, Order, and the Creative
Process,” for that was the central theme. As the evolving science of
chaos and complexity matured I found myself mesmerized by the elegant insights
of the physicists, chemists and biologists who were pushing that frontier
– particularly when they identified the phenomenon of self organization
as a critical player. It all seemed so counterintuitive -- and disturbingly
compelling when it occurred to me that something of the same sort could be
happening every time we sat in a circle and created a bulletin board. But they
were doing High Science, and we just convening meetings. And that is where that
funny thing called OST became a natural experiment for me.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The question was: If the primal force of self organization
lay at the heart of the Open Space experience could we learn to leverage it for
our benefit and align our endeavors with its massive power? I think the answer
is yes, not just as a theoretical possibility but in very practical ways which
might enhance our performance and expand our possibilities in this turbulent,
confusing and wonderful world. In a word, we might learn to surf the waves of
primal power to become Wave Riders.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The book comes in two parts. The first states the case, and
Part II makes the application. If your predilection is theoretical start at the
beginning and read forward. On the other hand, if your preference is practical,
skip Part I and head straight for Part II: <i><span style='font-style:italic'>The
Wave Rider’s Guide</span></i>. I make no pretence that this is the
“final word” -- indeed I hope it is but a beginning. But it will
get you started, and the rest is up to you.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>For a preview, go to <a
href="http://openspaceworld.com/waveriders.htm">http://openspaceworld.com/waveriders.htm</a>;
you will find the Introduction to the book giving you an outline of direction
and content.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If you want the book, Amazon.com is ready. Go to -- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a
href="http://www.amazon.com/Wave-Rider-Leadership-Performance-Self-Organizing/dp/1576756173/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220216204&sr=1-3">http://www.amazon.com/Wave-Rider-Leadership-Performance-Self-Organizing/dp/1576756173/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220216204&sr=1-3</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If you really want to dive in, we will be doing a series of
programs around the world. The fun is just beginning! I have done my “Final
Report” but the really good part is up to you. Where do we go from here?
And only you can say. You will find an outline of the program at <a
href="http://openspaceworld.com/wave%20rider%20program.htm">http://openspaceworld.com/wave%20rider%20program.htm</a>.
This program will be offered in Europe, <st1:place w:st="on">Asia</st1:place>
and the North American Continent. Dates and places will be listed at <a
href="http://openspaceworld.com/dates%20and%20places.htm">http://openspaceworld.com/dates%20and%20places.htm</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Harrison</span></font></st1:place><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Harrison Owen</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>189 Beaucaire Ave</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Camden</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">ME</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">04843</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>207-763-3261 (Summer)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>301-365-2093 (Winter)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Website <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com">www.openspaceworld.com</a>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Personal Website <a href="http://www.ho-image.com">www.ho-image.com</a>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>OSLIST</span></font></st1:PersonName><font
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