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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Beautiful. I think I'm in the right
place.<br>
<br>
Harold<br>
<br>
On 9/25/13 11:24 AM, Harrison Owen wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Harold
said: “You're clearing going directly against the heart of
what Dan is trying to promote. Maybe I invite disaster for
myself by speaking an alternative view from what you are
saying given your founding status of this community - but
perhaps given my 12+ years working in the Agile space - I
have something worthwhile to say.”<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Yes
you do! And Harold – if you are waiting for disaster to
strike it may well come, but not from me! A long time ago I
said that Open Space is free (not franchised, trademarked,
limited license, etc), BUT there is a cost – that we share
what we are learning. For 28 years, I think we have done
that. And doing all that sharing is (for me) the heart and
soul of the OS Community. At times the conversations have
been hot and heavy, with multiple points of view
represented. GREAT! And that multiplicity of viewpoints has
enabled us to go deeper and deeper into our collective
experience. The simple truth of the matter is that none of
us (and that most definitely includes me) really knows or
fully understands the reality of what we are in the midst
of. It is a great Question – or better – a great Quest. And
we aren’t there yet, and I seriously doubt that our time of
arrival is anytime soon. At least I hope not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Given
the enormity of our experience over time and space, on into
the deeper and timeless spaces of the human spirit –
multiple view points are not only expected, but essential.
And each view point is valid, at least it is the valid view
of the viewer. But all are partial, and therefore misleading
– one might say false. Not unlike the blind men describing
the elephant, we can only depict what we experience – but
somewhere in our evolving experiences lies a fuller sense of
what it is all about. One might hope for a final (correct)
view, but I more than suspect that we find ourselves in an
infinite regress where certainty becomes questionable... and
once again we are on the edge of The Question. The Quest. I
wouldn’t have it any other way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">I
understand that many people find this situation
uncomfortable, even frustrating. Questions are fine – but
where is the ANSWER? At times this discomfort seems almost
overwhelming: “Forget the Question...Give me the Answer.” I
can fully appreciate the reaction, and yet something in me
just can’t sit still. The given answers become momentary
pauses prior to deeper and juicier questions. Answers are a
resting point, but there is more...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">For
me a key word here is “evolving.” Our common experience
(with OS), like most serious elements of life, did not (does
not) come out fully formed. What began with two martinis has
changed, transmogrified, transformed. Curiously it is always
the same, but somehow deeper and different. And each step
along the way has its own viewpoint, special words,
“answers” which are correct and valid for that moment and
context, but always open to further evolution. A “first
timer” in Open Space will have a viewpoint which is totally
appropriate to that time, place, and person. As the
experience is repeated, the viewpoint seemingly expands and
deepens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Many
of the sticky points we have experienced over the years
(“Givens,” “Prework,” Tools,” etc) got gooey because we
forgot the evolving nature of our conversation and mistook
the validity of a particular point of view for a “final
answer.” I would guess this has been compounded by the fact
that the norms of our conversations here on OSLIST are quite
different from the more usual situation. One might presume,
if we conducted our business in the same manner that other
groups do – that when the Founder (that would be me) or some
other “elder” said something online – that saying was The
Law, Last word, or “Truth.” We play by different rules, and
I personally assume that any statement I make is just as
“questionable” as any other. Truth to tell, I often feel
somehow cheated when there isn’t some further and different
discussion. So yes, I say what I experience and think
(hopefully acknowledging the difference), presuming
everybody else will do the same... with charity, politeness,
a smile – and a Question. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">So
is OST a “tool” – just like every other group work tool? Of
course. But then again, it (OS) doesn’t quite seem to fit.
Unlike any other Group Process, you don’t have to do very
much, if anything. Indeed the less you do, the better it
seems to work. Somehow it seems that “everybody already
knows...” Weird.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Is
Pre-Work essential? Definitely! But strangely some of the
best (deepest, effective, most moving) OS’s in my experience
happened without a speck of Pre-Work, except for basic
logistics. And some of them didn’t even have basic
logistics. Definitely odd.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Do
we need to identify and consider The Givens? Certainly. If
nothing else, doing so keeps some folks out of trouble and
makes managers (sponsors) more relaxed. Still and all I’ve
always found that when something is “placed off the table,”
you can always find it under the table, or out in the hall.
Scratch my head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">And
Dan – Have I struck a blow to the heart of your endeavor? I
hope not... ‘cause I think it is GREAT, and I’ve told you
that. Indeed a basic mantra of my life is, “Open Space
anywhere, about anything, with anybody, as often as you
can.” That goes for the Agile folks, along with everybody
else. But when it comes to outcomes and expectations maybe
the real “Golden Ring” is not so much the Adoption of Agile
with all those great principles, practices, and approaches,
good as they are. Rather the Pot of Gold is genuine High
Performance, real agility – done totally as a natural act.
Kind of like what seems to happen in just about every Open
Space. Possible?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Thank
You Harold!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Harrison
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Harrison
Owen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">7808
River Falls Dr.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Potomac,
MD 20854<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">USA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">189
Beaucaire Ave. (summer)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Camden,
Maine 04843<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Phone
301-365-2093<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">(summer)
207-763-3261<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="www.openspaceworld.com%20"><span
style="color:blue">www.openspaceworld.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="www.ho-image.com%20"><span
style="color:blue">www.ho-image.com</span></a>
(Personal Website)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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