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<p class=MsoNormal>Several days ago I sent a note to what I thought was going
to be a small group of friends, inviting thinking about opening space every
day, what that might mean, and how to accomplish all that in specifics. In
effect, I was taking off from my book "Wave Rider" which is my best
shot on the subject to date -- with the expectation that there is much more
"out there" in terms of ideas and actions. Along the way I did
suggest that OST (as the meeting approach) might be getting in the way of the
larger discussion. Even worse, I facetiously (jokingly) invited everybody to
join "The Imperial Society of Wave Riders!" Well you can imagine the
uproar this caused. Here I am suggesting that we eliminate OST and become
imperialists! Not a good day -- but I do think the proposed discussion has
merit. In fact from where I sit it may just be the most important discussion we
could have.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Given the state of the world (no need for detailed analysis)
superior human performance achieved in a peaceful fashion seems like a very
good idea. Or put another way how do we find the intelligence and energy to
deal with the massive issues we face without killing each other? I believe that
the 25 year Open Space experiment has clearly shown that superior performance
in a peaceful manner can be achieved any time we open space. It may not be
perfect, but it works better than just about anything else, and for sure it is
a lot less work. The reason for all this is that we are not really doing
anything. Rather, we are inviting the system (business, family, organization) to
do what it can do all by itself. Self organize. We are just helping people to
notice that -- and when they do magic seems to happen. Peace and high
performance show up. If we are honest about it, I think we might realize that
OST is in some real ways a fraud and a joke, at least it becomes all that if we
take credit for the power and effect of the process, and the special way that
we might "do" it. Rather like taking credit for the power and effect
of gravity -- which will continue no matter what we do!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Anyhow, I believe the community that gathers here online (and
anybody else who cares to join us) is uniquely positioned to engage in this
discussion not just at a theoretical level but at a very solid practical level.
We have the shared experience of hundreds of thousands of Open Spaces. And we
have something else -- the shared experience of life in our community. As the
world might see it the "Open Space Community" is a pretty strange
thing. It has no boundaries, no formal organization, leadership, or corporate
status. Membership is pretty much whoever shows up -- and the party has been
going on for 25 years. Odd but very effective. Indeed there are multiple formal
organizations in the world who with might greater effort have accomplished
substantially less. Think about it! Multiple Global and regional meetings. A
world wide reach. More training programs than you can name. And absolutely nobody
is in charge. There has never been a Business Plan, and if a budget exists it
has never been found. Is it all just a gossamer dream, a fanciful delusion, or
something much deeper and more important? I vote for the latter. I think this
is a conversation that needs to happen, not to the exclusion of all others, but
this is where my passion is.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Anyhow I invite you to share and think about our common
experience -- and let our experience be our guide. As a starting point we might
just begin with invitation. What would happen if all our projects began with
invitation as opposed to assignment?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Harrison <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
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