<div dir="ltr">stuart, <div><br></div><div>i was heading in the direction of saying that the only evaluation that i've ever found very useful after an oepn space meeting is a review of what got done, what will continue, and some reflection on what else might now be able to happen. after we give everyone responsibility for their own experience, and then anyone starts in the direction of evaluation -- including the facilitator going along into "how did i do?" -- or the sponsor has a form for everyone to fill out... it always seems to me a bit like saying "whenever it starts is the right time" and then looking at my watch. this is why i thought it was great that you said, this happened... and i wondered... but whatever happened...</div><div><br></div><div>if we give them responsibility for the experience, then we can only ask them to evaluate their own performance in that experience. asking about the design is useless. assuming that we can cherry-pick the best parts and just change a few details -- next time -- and we'll get all the best, and then some more, seems pretty unrealistic. on the other hand, asking about what's done, what's in process and what might need another round of conversation or study, in a taking-stock sort of way... that can be genuinely useful, for everyone. </div><div><br></div><div>mh</div><div><br></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div> <br>--<br><br>Michael Herman<br>Michael Herman Associates</div><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">312-280-7838 (mobile)</span><br style="font-size:12.8px"></div><div><span style="font-size:12.8px"><br></span></div><div><a href="http://MichaelHerman.com" target="_blank">http://MichaelHerman.com</a><br><a href="http://OpenSpaceWorld.org" target="_blank">http://OpenSpaceWorld.org</a></div><div><br><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 9:40 AM, Stuart Turner <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:stu@rtturner.com" target="_blank">stu@rtturner.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div style="word-wrap:break-word">Dear Michael<div><br></div><div>Thanks for your supportive comments.</div><div><br></div><div>I’m curious about your questions and whom you’re asking. The questions are so wide and powerful I can only think of more questions to ask :)</div><div><br></div><div>What do I do next? What can they do now? Who supports what? Are they rhetorical questions?</div><div><br></div><div>I’m wondering if there’s more context or perhaps assumptions that it would be useful to add. I will appreciate it if you can provide more guidance.</div><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><div><br></div><div>Stuart</div></font></span><div><div class="h5"><div><br></div><div><br><div><div>On 2 Feb 2016, at 8:43 pm, Michael Herman <<a href="mailto:michael@michaelherman.com" target="_blank">michael@michaelherman.com</a>> wrote:</div><br><div>Sounds like a success to me, like you did s fine job, Stuart. They fully owned the agenda, brought forth energy and enthusiasm, and in the end were daring to speak things, by their own admission, that they they otherwise would not. You didn't panic when the unexpected happened, as they took the program on as their own. I see no reason in your story for second guessing at all. The only question I do wonder about now is "now what?" What can happen next? How to support that? <span></span><div><br></div><div><br><br>On Tuesday, February 2, 2016, Stuart Turner via OSList <<a href="mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org" target="_blank">oslist@lists.openspacetech.org</a>> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Yesterday I facilitated a two-hour open space at the end of a training course for 30 people. I explained the principles, the law, etc. and described the marketplace. The marketplace had four time slots across the top and four locations down the side. After they had filled the marketplace with about 25 sessions, they asked me what they should do. I said “It’s up to you”. They started swapping the headings so times now went down the side and locations went across the top.<br>
<br>
Thinking of the many suggestions to "get out of the way” and “make it obvious you’re not an authority”, I decided to take a bathroom break.<br>
<br>
On my return I approached one of the spaces to find several of the sessions pasted on the wall. I turned to look at the marketplace to discover only the time slots and locations remained. Each location had all its sessions stuck on the wall.<br>
<br>
Whatever happens, I thought.<br>
<br>
After noticing there was some confusion about trying to discuss all sessions at the same time, conversations moved to become about a more defined topic (at least of few of which were not one of the topics on the wall).<br>
<br>
The closing circle had about half the participants speak, with many sounding quite enthusiastic about their experience and what the theme meant for their organisation. I noticed many of the people were directing their summary to the most senior person in the room. Some even referred to that person specifically “I don’t know if I should say this while the boss is here”, and similar comments.<br>
<br>
I wondered whether the space was beginning to close at that time.<br>
<br>
Perhaps I could have done a better job of facilitating or explaining, during the introduction. Regardless, it’s probably the only thing that could have happened.<br>
<br>
Stuart<br>
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