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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The
need for openness and for space for everyone has always been but I think there
seems to be today a more general acceptance of doing something about it and
looking for ways to do it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Arthur,
“w</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>hat future do we want to construct for OST” is a very good
way of putting the question before us.</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> I think it’s to make OST become more
and more familiar to more people and more accessible as well. Just keep on
doing it and supporting those who want to do it. Not for the sake of the method
Open Space Technology itself but for the sake of the world that needs to re-learn
about self-organization, that life force they have in themselves and need to
rediscover.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>This
will mean more and more people will do some experimenting with the OST method
itself in the course of their learning journey (bringing add-ons and cutting
things that may seem important). For whoever has some experience of OST, our role
is to share our own learning and gently encourage continuous reflection on
these experimentations while showing with examples, how powerful OST is when
its simplicity is maintained and the space is truly held in respect of
participants. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>In
the course of a learning process, I repeat, like Harrison and many of you:
“even if you forget a lot of things when opening space, don’t
worry, do it because Open Space is surprisingly extremely resilient. Participants
will pick up on the spirit of openness you are communicating and being and make
it happen for themselves”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>One
story I tell is that of a colleague who forgot to mention the post-its as a way
to indicate a time and place for discussions – pretty basic and somewhat
essential tool in the process. When at the facilitator’s invitation,
participants all moved to the wall to choose topics, they quickly pointed to
the fact that something was missing and “could those colorful post-its
help?”. That’s self-organization in the yoke!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The
fear of flying is often there and to reduce some of that fear, I do offer to
people that are new at OST, examples of OS events and on site OST working tools
(a one pager for discussions, one for the voting process for priorities when
applicable and one to report on action planning) all of which are consistent
with the basic OS approach described in the OS book. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I
often throw in a question for personal action at the end of events whenever it’s
appropriate to open more space for individual action after there has been
closure on collective action. Some may see that as an add-on but I feel it is
very consistent with linking again passion and personal responsibility. It proven
to contribute to individual closure. There must be something true to that
because it usually brings a strong burst of energy in the room just before the
closing circle when people have been showing fatigue from the many deep
discussions, the more grueling action planning conversations and the quiet
listening to brief action plan reports. When the energy is too low like was the
case in a 150-person OS last October that I facilitated, that part of personal
action plan was cut. That’s it. Otherwise when I facilitate, it’s
OST in its original simplicity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>On
the pre-work side, I do share examples of invitations and simple guides on preparations
with the host and client. The latter are the most important because that pre-work
is the base for creating the opening, the safe space and the success that can
occur as a result. I agree with you Arthur that they not only are the most
important parts but the most difficult ones. I expanded on that last week, in link
to Peggy’s message below, by responding on this List to a topic called “Less”,
so I won’t say more here. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Note
that these “helpers” (tools and guides) are offered only after
people have experienced OS in that learning event or elsewhere, as true
participants around a theme they had a real passion for. Only then, when they
have a deeper understanding of the essence of OST can these
“helpers” be put in perspective ie they may be useful only when
they actually support that essence of OST. People are encouraged to simplify
these helpers or not use them at all or adapt them to situations and to the
particular needs of the groups. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The
basic criteria for the use of the tools are that they must not take space away
from participants – they are not “professional musts” - they should
contribute to create space by helping the process flow for participants. The
most important ingredient that is then needed to spread OST around is courage …to
try.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>About
courage, Suzanne, you said: </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>It took me
awhile to get it, to know that I should "just do it" which is more than
the dabbling that I've been doing so far. Perhaps that's what this new
conversation about the future of OST is all about. It's about courage and that
courage needs to come from inside of me. </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>You’re doing it Suzanne with your
presence and facilitation in the dozen OS events you have been part of since
last April. I understand you want that bigger challenge with a large organization
where you will want to be in full possession of your OS skills. One thing is
certain: you will bring enough intention and spirit to offer all that is needed
to that lucky organization and for these people to experience true open space. You
now know that and the rest of your words show it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Courage
is contagious. There are other people - from the OST training group you were a
part of Suzanne and others - that have, like you, jumped two feet first and
tried OS, with a few things added and a few forgotten but it worked for sure.
Now they can’t keep up with the demand for OS. These OS colleagues learned
from their experience and like you and all of us, are finding deeper courage to
jump higher. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>May
the future of Open Space and the future of everyone who sees the potential of
this generous approach to greater humanity, go something along the lines of this
famous French Quebec song that was the theme of the first French OSonOS in
Canada in 2007: <i>« Aller un peu plus haut, un peu plus loin »….</i>the
translation and full theme being:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Let’s
go a little higher, a little farther …in our knowledge and practice of
Open Space. <i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Diane<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Suzanne Daigle<br>
<b>Sent:</b> 14 décembre 2009 13:23<br>
<b>To:</b> OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [OSLIST] Future of OST (was: Re: [OSLIST] honouring each
other)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt'>Thank you Arthur for creating
this post under the new heading of "Future of OST" ; thank you also for
connecting it to what Peggy had written before and tying it to what
Harrison speaks of now, partially in jest, asking whether the time has come to
eliminate OST. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt'>Why, I ask myself, are we
having this conversation now? Is the conversation really about the future
of OST or about what's happening in the world right now? </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt'>My public line in the sand
right here,right now is that I believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that
these times are viral and fertile for <u>all</u> that OST offers and
invites! As I watch so many leaders and others still gripping the levers
of control, working harder and faster with so much seeming to hang by a
thread, I feel myself on the edge of a precipice knowing that the time for
me to jump is right now. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt'>I agree with Arthur and Peggy
on pre-work and also with Harrison in Wave Rider who talks about doing your
homework (Chapter 10)-- a lot of this is my own pre-work (homework).
Where do I want to go with this? What do I really care about? Why? and What
might happen along the way? Do I trust the process? Do I trust myself? Do I
trust others? and finally Do I have any choice? </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt'>What Brett Barndt described in
his December 13th post (Topic: Open Government Workshop Series)
talking about a recent conference related to the telecommunications
industry and the FCC is a story that plays out in so many places. All the
ingredients for opening space are there: real serious issues,
complexity,diversity, urgency, passion and need. And as I stand on
the edge of my own precipice fearing this jump without a safety net,
what I know for sure, is that Space will Open...if not by me, then surely by
others with others. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt'>It took me awhile to get it,
to know that I should "just do it" which is more than the dabbling
that I've been doing so far. Perhaps that's what this new conversation
about the future of OST is all about. It's about courage and that courage needs
to come from inside of me. Inspiration is what I get from all of you!
Thank you so much for that this past year. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt'>Time now to get to work. I've
got some serious urgent homework to do. I know that 2010 will be a busy
year. I know I'll bump my head a lot; my ego will get bruised and I'll feel
plenty insecure worrying as I always do that I may not be good enough
or know enough but in the end, I'll always know I'm not alone
thinking as I do because of you. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt'>Suzanne </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:silver'>Suzanne
Daigle</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:silver'><a
href="mailto:s.daigle@nufocusgroup.com">s.daigle@nufocusgroup.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:silver'>NuFocus
Strategic Group</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#999999'>7159
Victoria Circle</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#999999'>University
Park, FL 34201</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:silver'>Tel:
941-359-8877</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:silver'>Cell:
203-722-2009</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>On Sun, Dec 13, 2009 at 6:44 PM, Artur Silva <<a
href="mailto:arturfsilva@yahoo.com" target="_blank">arturfsilva@yahoo.com</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Dear Peggy:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Thank you for
articulating this an inviting us to think about the “open
spacism”, the future of OST practice and how can we maintain
“Open Space” open, hence, evolving and transforming over time. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>The first thing
that came to my mind, when reading your post, was a note that Harrison made
many times in the past about the future of OST being to stop talking about
OST - when every meeting will be an Open Space one, there is no need to talk
about OST.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Unfortunately
– or not – IMHO, that time is far from happening. So, we must
discuss what will be the future of OST before that time will come or, putting
in a different way, what future do we want to construct for OST (</span><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:red'>*</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>) in the next (few) years.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>That is where
your post invites us to think about. There are so many different ideas in
your post that I will not be able to discuss them all. I will not event try.
But I would like to add to some of your comments some other (probably even
more heterodox) views. </span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>[The previous
part of this mail was already written (and saved), before the post Harrison
sent yesterday to some friends about “Wave Riders in the Sky”.
What follows is written after that, but I will try to maintain the points I
wanted to add, and not be influenced – if that is possible – by
his post]</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>1.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;color:black'>
</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Some time ago, I have tried
to discuss (twice) about the “Foundations of OST”. Let me recall
those discussions: The first, on </span><u><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:blue'>doing self-organization - OST "foundations”</span></u><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>, began here: <a
href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0705&L=oslist&P=R55873&I=-3&X=016DDA0C8CAC43541F&Y=arturfsilva%40yahoo.com"
target="_blank">http://listserv.boisestate.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0705&L=oslist&P=R55873&I=-3&X=016DDA0C8CAC43541F&Y=arturfsilva%40yahoo.com</a>.
(May/2007). And the main post of the second one, on </span><u><span
style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:blue'>Anti Laws of OST -
Foundations of OST?</span></u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>, is
here: <a
href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0906&L=oslist&P=R65903&I=-3&X=016DDA0C8CAC43541F&Y=arturfsilva%40yahoo.com"
target="_blank">http://listserv.boisestate.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0906&L=oslist&P=R65903&I=-3&X=016DDA0C8CAC43541F&Y=arturfsilva%40yahoo.com</a>
(May-June/2009).</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>2.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;color:black'>
</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>I will not repeat here what
I wrote there but the main point of the “Foundations of OST” are,
IMHO, to give the major attention to the “Pre-work” (theme,
invitation, diversity, etc) and then sit in a circle, clarify the rule of two
feet, create a Bulletin Board, a market Place and go on with the Business.</span>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>3.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;color:black'>
</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>From here I concluded that
the Principles (the main basis for “open-spacism”) are <b>one
more thing not to</b> do/state/refer. Harrison himself suggested that more
than once. (What about that as a major paradigm shift for OST?)</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>4.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;color:black'>
</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>So I don’t even
understand how someone can say that the invitation/preparation is one less
thing to do – on the contrary, I think it is the most important and the
most difficult part of OST!</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>5.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;color:black'>
</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>In what relates to your
concern, Peggy, with people that are not prepared for the <strong>openness</strong>
of OST, I don’t think that the solution is to combine methods (say, add
some AI in the beginning, or clarify the so called – and IMHO useless
– “givens”), but to decide - in the preparation phase -
that OST <b>is not</b> (yet) the adequate method for that situation. Some
other less open methods (like The World Café or Future Search, to refer only
two, may be what is needed in the situation. (If I conclude that the most
useful method is TWC I can even facilitate that, as a preliminary approach to
arrive later to OST, as I think that TWC is less frightening and opens some
space, which can be later enlarged. If I conclude that what is needed in the
situation is Future Search – which btw never happened – I
will have to ask the client to search for a different facilitator, as I think
that FS is not compatible with OST, because the facilitator is always in a
central position that disempowers the client – later they will never be
prepared to OST, and will be more and more away from it.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>6.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;color:black'>
</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>There are so many other
things I would like to comment to your post, Peggy, but this is more than
enough for a first take</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Warm regards</span>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Artur</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>(</span><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:red'>*</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>) There is a difference about saying “what will be the
future of OST” or “what is the future that we want to construct
for OST”. People that prefer the second, probably don’t even
agree that “whatever happens is the only thing that could”. What
will happen to OST is what we will care (and will be able) to create. Not
“the only thing that could” ;-)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<br>
--- On <b>Mon, 11/23/09, Peggy Holman <i><<a
href="mailto:peggy@opencirclecompany.com" target="_blank">peggy@opencirclecompany.com</a>></i></b>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>
From: Peggy Holman <<a href="mailto:peggy@opencirclecompany.com"
target="_blank">peggy@opencirclecompany.com</a>><br>
Subject: Re: [OSLIST] honouring each other<br>
To: <a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU" target="_blank">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
Date: Monday, November 23, 2009, 4:19 PM<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>I've been following this exchange wondering what, if
anything, I have to contribute.<br>
<br>
I want to tease out a thread that has to do with what Kaliya called
"open spacisms". It also relates to something Holger said: <br>
<br>
> in my experience, the OS folks are among the most<br>
> change resistant people that I have met in my life. <br>
<br>
Before I expand on this thread, just a few words about the exchange itself:<br>
<br>
Thank you Karen, Wendy, Lisa, Artur, and Holger for your leadership. In
particular, Karen, I appreciated the distinction you gave in your messages:<br>
<br>
> I welcome direct and frank conversations. What I do not welcome is
blaming, name-calling, and yelling.<br>
<br>
Kaliya, thank you for being a voice for change. And, when faced with
some very direct feedback, for moderating your tone in your last several
posts. I value your brilliance and passion and am glad to see you step in on
behalf of this community. <br>
<br>
Michael, thank you for the years of service and being there on behalf of Open
Space's online presence. I hope your dedication to this community
continues. I also thank you for facing a challenging onslaught with,
what I thought was doing your best to be squeaky clean in your communication
through the last several days. <br>
<br>
It is a challenge to be a lightening rod and I honor the work both of you are
doing, Michael and Kaliya, for staying with the deeper purpose I see you both
carrying on behalf of us all.<br>
<br>
****<br>
<br>
So, here's the thread that I want to pursue: how the Open Space principles
help us both support and resist change and what that means for the evolution
of OST and opening space.<br>
<br>
The OS principles are wise and wily (clever). They are at their best
when they remind people to take responsibility for what they love; when, for
example, people discover that they really can moderate their own conflicts
without a facilitator. <br>
<br>
I think the principles are at their worst when they replace co-creativity
with resistance. For example, someone comes to me when preparing for an
OS gathering and says, Open Space goes broad, not deep. I can turn that
back to them quite simply by telling them that they create their own
experience. And that's true. It also shuts off an exchange about
what it means to go deep and how we can create the space so that people come
together with greater depth. <br>
<br>
Too often, I have taken the "turn it back" route rather than
engaging. And I don't think I'm alone. This may sound heretical,
but I believe the cues for making this choice are embedded in the Open Space
community's culture and to our detriment, that has made us change
resistance. I offer a bit of my personal journey on this and
then how I see it relating to this community.<br>
<br>
<br>
MY STORY<br>
<br>
When I began working with OS, I fiercely defended the space from all
comers. I worked to keep any pre-work to a bare minimum, sure that
people would understand the brilliant freedom of Open Space the moment they
stepped in. Since then, I've found compassion for those who experience
the disorientation of freedom shock when they first experience Open Space.<br>
<br>
When I began working more in community settings, with greater diversity and
where there aren't the implicit "rules of engagement", I found that
cultivating a sense of connection and clarity of purpose is part of creating
a welcome, nutrient space. And contrary to the myth that talks don't
work in Open Space, even Harrison has successfully given them in the morning
of the second and third day of an Open Space gathering. <br>
<br>
In other words, as my practice has grown, I treat quite differently
"givens" that I used to take as gospel and defend. Examples:<br>
<br>
* Pre-work (clarifying the intention and calling question, identifying and
inviting stakeholders) is trivial. If you spend a lot of time on it,
you're working too hard.<br>
<br>
* Open Space doesn't mix well with other practices. In fact, I
have found creative, flowing ways in which different practices work together
to meet the needs of the specific situation and culture. It requires
getting creative with design colleagues and sponsors to meet the needs of a
group. <br>
<br>
* Once you're in an Open Space event, stay in Open Space. While this is still
my preference, there are circumstances where integrating other activities,
like a morning talk, serves the needs of the group just fine.<br>
<br>
I want to be clear that I am still there to ensure the space is as open as
possible. I have just come to believe that what keeps the space open is
more nuanced than I understood when I started working with Open Space
Technology in 1993. I no longer defend the space. I co-creatively
ensure it stays open.<br>
<br>
<br>
THIS COMMUNITY<br>
<br>
So what does this have to do with this community being resistant to
change? <br>
<br>
The OS principles contain deep truths. I think most deep truths contain
contradictions. On a light note, here are a few examples of such
contradictions:<br>
<br>
1. Look before you leap. / He who hesitates is lost.<br>
<br>
2. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. / Out of sight, out of mind.<br>
<br>
3. The pen is mightier than the sword. / Actions speak louder
than words.<br>
<br>
4. Better safe than sorry. / Nothing ventured, nothing gained.<br>
<br>
5. Birds of a feather flock together. / Opposites attract.<br>
<br>
6. You’re never too old to learn. / You can’t teach
an old dog new tricks.<br>
<br>
Wisdom involves discerning how to navigate the contradictions. <br>
<br>
Yes, whatever happens is the only thing that could have. This is
empowering when used to awaken someone to their own capacity to meet their
needs. When it is used consciously or unconsciously to maintain the
status quo, it becomes destructive. It becomes a way to do
nothing. <br>
<br>
Rather than just saying "who ever comes..." or "whatever
happens...", when someone raises an issue, I now treat it as a potential
learning moment for either or both of us; an opening to understand something
more fully Most often, exploring the issue leads to them discovering
their own power to act. But through the conversation, they feel heard,
respected, met. And I learn something about their culture. <br>
<br>
With this change in my practice, I have become more fluid in how I open
space, sometimes using other processes as a doorway in, sometimes hosting a
speaker because it serves the needs of the session. I am less glib than
I used to be about the principles, recognizing both their power and their
shadow. And I am more wiling to experiment with form, knowing that the
real work is opening space within and among us.<br>
<br>
What does this sort of experimentation which many of us are doing mean for
how Open Space Technology itself evolves? <br>
<br>
Is OST's form perfection as is? It is definitely elegant. As Harrison
often says, a system that isn't changing is dead. Isn't this
an interesting paradox?<br>
<br>
I think that the last OST innovation that has been widely embraced was when
several of us began opening space for convergence following a conversation at
the Toronto OSonOS in 1997!<br>
<br>
So with all the people experimenting with how we use OST, what might we learn
about the nature and form of our work? I suspect there's more fluidity
to the nature of opening space than most of us consider.<br>
<br>
For example, I sometimes hear from colleagues who use other conversational
practices that Open Space doesn't surface the collective intelligence of a
group in easily shared ways. I can hear the "open spacisms"
raised in objection to this statement. Indeed, I have seen groups come
away with a deep sense of how they fit together as a system. Yet,
through their words or the notes, communicating that collective intelligence
to those who weren't there is often a mystery. <br>
<br>
How might we approach this as a design challenge while staying true to the
ethics of "one less thing to do" and trusting the people of the
system to find their own answers? <br>
<br>
I've become more willing to experiment, to seek simple, natural forms that
meet these sorts of objections. For example, I have come to appreciate
the intimacy of reflecting in small groups. Since people don't all
return to the large group at the same time, there's a natural rhythm to
starting small then moving to one circle.<br>
<br>
I don't pretend to have "the" answer of how OST and our understanding
of Open Space evolves. Perhaps the evolution isn't in the form but in
our deeper thinking. It could be that the simple elegance of
internalizing the practice of opening space frees us to experiment more with
the form. After 16 years, I still feel like a novice, learning about
the nature of opening space.<br>
<br>
I think it is an important, creative question for the evolution of our work
and our community to consider how we evolve rather than dismissing criticisms
and objections by naming a principle. Is anyone else interested in such
conversations?<br>
<br>
<br>
Kaliya, thanks for calling out open spacisms. It gave me a doorway to
speak to something that I haven't been able to figure out how to say.<br>
<br>
from cold, cloudy Seattle,<br>
Peggy<br>
<br>
<br>
______________________________<br>
Peggy Holman<br>
The Open Circle Company<br>
15347 SE 49th Place<br>
Bellevue, WA 98006<br>
425-746-6274<br>
<a href="http://www.opencirclecompany.com/" target="_blank">www.opencirclecompany.com</a><br>
<a href="http://www.journalismthatmatters.org/" target="_blank">www.journalismthatmatters.org</a><br>
<br>
For the new edition of The Change Handbook, go to: <br>
<a href="http://www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook" target="_blank">www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook</a>
<br>
<br>
"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<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On Nov 22, 2009, at 9:20 PM, Raffi Aftandelian wrote:<br>
<br>
> friends,<br>
> <br>
> as someone who has made both positive and hurtful contributions to the
ost community, two more <br>
> things come to mind:<br>
> <br>
> i notice myself asking myself what are the ways in which i have showed
up at my best in this circle, <br>
> and also at less than best in this unexpected and wondrous time on
OSlist.<br>
> <br>
> also, i wonder what else seeks to be expressed right now, what remains
unfinished?<br>
> <br>
> thank you all!<br>
> <br>
> warmly,<br>
> raffi<br>
> <br>
> p.s. and yes, jon, absolutely vegetarian chicken, my omission<br>
> <br>
> p.p.s. thank you alan re: good things happen!<br>
> <br>
> *<br>
> *<br>
> ==========================================================<br>
> <a
href="http://us.mc546.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU"
target="_blank">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
> ------------------------------<br>
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*<br>
*<br>
==========================================================<br>
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href="http://us.mc546.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU"
target="_blank">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
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<br clear=all>
<br>
-- <br>
Suzanne Daigle<br>
NuFocus Strategic Group<br>
7159 Victoria Circle<br>
University Park, FL 34201<br>
FL 941-359-8877; CT 203-722-2009<br>
<a href="http://www.nufocusgroup.com/" target="_blank">www.nufocusgroup.com</a><br>
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