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<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Several days ago I received the following note from two graduate students
in </span></font>Holland. They had some questions and I tried to offer some
answers. And I thought you might have some more (answers). So take a look, and
if you have anything to add, let the good folks in Holland know. Their email is
<a href="mailto:I.Iprenburg@student.rug.nl">I.Iprenburg@student.rug.nl</a> </p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Harrison</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dear Mr. Owen,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Our names are Tom Steffens and Ivo Iprenburg and we are </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Master students Strategy and Innovation at the University </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>of </span></font>Groningen, the Netherlands. We received your email </p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>address from Professor Caroline Quispel, our supervisor </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>for the course Management Consulting.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>For the next weeks we are working on a research about the </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>positive and negative elements of the Open Space Theory. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Due to the fact that you are the founder of this </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>groundbreaking approach to group-interaction and </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>organization enhancement, we would love to hear your </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>perspectives on this topic. Could you answer the following </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>questions for us?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>• What are the main advantages of Open space, according to </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>you?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>• How does Open Space create value for its participants?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>• What could be the disadvantages of an Open Space </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>conference?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>• How can a consultant try to prevent these disadvantages </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>like political games, mutany, etc.?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Your cooperation will help us gain valuable background </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>information for the article we have to write in the </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Netherlands</span></font> on this topic. If you need some more </p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>information please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>you so much in advance.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Yours sincerely,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Tom Steffens</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Ivo Iprenburg</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>My response:</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I will do my best to answer your questions -- and with your permission
I will post your letter on OSLIST -- which is the listserve for the Open Space
community. There are about 600 people world wide, and it is likely that they
will have some interesting contributions. Or you can post it for yourself.
OSLIST is free. To join go to:</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a href="http://www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html">www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</a>
</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>To Your Questions---</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>• What are the main advantages of Open space, according to </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>you?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The major advantages are that it is very efficient, effective, and fun.
Efficiency occurs because there is little to no time wasted before a gathering
preparing an agenda (all those endless, boring meetings which never work out
the way the planners planned). It is also efficient because no effort is wasted
with multiple facilitators and program managers during the meeting attempting
to do what they can never do -- keep in control. And if they did succeed, the
meeting would be a disaster because nothing new or innovative would have
emerged. Lastly -- OS is fun. When people address issues they really care about
in a way that is efficient and effective they always have a good time -- even
when the issue is a very serious one. I can remember Palestinians and Israelis
working together on really tough issues and laughing as they did their work.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>• How does Open Space create value for its participants?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>In Open Space the people who care about an issue care about what they
do and they do what they care about. Caring people working carefully create
enormous value every time.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>• What could be the disadvantages of an Open Space </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>conference?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The only disadvantage I have ever seen is that the participants become
inspired, creative, innovative, and energized. When this happens, all those
other people who thought they were in control and made all the plans typically
become upset and try and regain control. If such people are successful all the
inspiration, creativity, innovation and energy are wasted and/or destroyed.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>• How can a consultant try to prevent these disadvantages </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>like political games, mutany, etc.? </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I can't begin to tell you how many Open Spaces I have done over the
years, but I can tell you that world wide, space has been opened something in
excess of 200,000 times in 136 countries over 23 years. In all of the Open
Spaces I have done, and all those I have heard about -- the "disadvantages"
you identify have never been a problem PROVIDED the essential pre-conditions
for doing an Open space were met. These conditions are: 1) Participants are
there because they care (voluntary self-selection). 2) The issue is a real
business issue they care about. 3) There is lots of complexity such that nobody
could possibly know all the details or the answer. 4) Lots of conflict and
passion. 5) There was a decision time of yesterday. -- The issue is an urgent
one. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>In every situation when I have ever heard of anything like what you are
talking about becoming a "problem" some of the pre-conditions were
not met. The "issue" was just a "pretend" issue. The people
were forced (assigned) to come. The issue itself was so simple all you really
needed was two cups of coffee and you had it solved. There was no real sense of
urgency -- something could happen some day. . .</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>But when the conditions are fully met, the "right" people
show up, the job is done (usually with excellence) and nobody is playing
"games," political or otherwise.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>********************************</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>So there is a fast bunch of "answers." Off the top of my
head! I would understand if you felt they were somehow shallow or
"flip" -- but that has been my experience. I know of no way to
"prove" to you that what I say except to invite you to try the
experiment for yourself. The experience (experiment) has been that if the
conditions are met, and the procedure is followed (sit in a circle, create a
bulletin board, open a market place, and go to work, and the facilitator --
that’s me -- takes a nap </span></font><font face=Wingdings><span
style='font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></font>) -- "it" always works.
Have fun.</p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>And you might enjoy my latest book, "Wave Rider: Leadership for
High Performance in a Self Organizing World" (Berrett-Koehler, 2008).
Amazon will get it to you and I think you will find a more robust set of
"answers" to your questions. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Please say Hi! to Caroline Q., your professor. She is a wonderful
person, and you are very fortunate.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Harrison</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Harrison Owen</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>7808 River Falls Drive</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Potomac</span></font>, Maryland 20854</p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Phone 301-365-2093</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Skype hhowen</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Personal website www.ho-image.com </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the
archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</span></font></p>
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