Jack I have always loved your map if only because it provides me and (indirectly I presume), and Open Space Technology with an impressive lineage which is at once colorful, although perhaps undeserved. It is true that my first public foray into the realm of Organization Transformation happened at a regional conference of ODN (Organization Development Network) I gave a paper. What is also true is that at the time I had no real clue what Organization Development might be, where it came from, or what it might be useful for. My inspiration, training and experience came from a rather different place, including but not limited to a laymans understanding of the New Physics, a rather deeper understanding of the myth and ritual of the ancient near east, and an appreciation of a variety of (what now would be called) esoteric traditions. Strange things like Tibetan Buddhism, Sufi thought (Rumi), some deep learning at the feet of (West) African Shamans, the work of Joseph Campbell, Ken Wilbur and other assorted denizens of the Fringe. I wouldnt claim academic expertise for most of this, but existential, on the ground experience for sure. Truth to tell, when Organization Transformation first reflected the light of day it was not viewed in a positive fashion by the powers that be (were) in the world of OD. Definitely heretical! Off the Wall! Out of Sight!! Some still feel that way, I am sure but times change. And a lot of the people who found the idea of Organization Transformation radically abhorrent became friends. I cant say we have always agreed but we are friends.
And then we come to Open Space Technology. It does not come from, nor is it part of the great tradition (lately created) of Large Scale Interventions. It began as it remains The product of two Martinis (and before that the Big Bang)! There was no careful research, no critical analysis of preceding efforts just a little Gin and (much less) vermouth. And with all that as ancestors, you got to keep it simple. Sit in a circle, create a bulletin board, open a market place and Go to work. Hasnt changed a bit ever since. But I am sure that our understanding of what happens has gone a lot deeper which is not to say that we are getting anywhere near the depths we must achieve. But we are moving in the right direction, I think. And it is fun. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Dr. Potomac, MD 20854 USA Phone 301-365-2093 www.openspaceworld.com www.ho-image.com (Personal Website) To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]: <http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jack Martin Leith Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 3:11 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: ODWS - Journey through time; suggestions please !! Thanks for mentioning the map, Michael. I've just uploaded it to my server in case anyone wants to see it. Here's the URL: www.leithcocreation.com/documents/history-of-large-group-methods.doc It's a big file ... sorry ... I don't have time right now to make it any smaller. Jack Jack Martin Leith Leith Co-creation London, United Kingdom email: [email protected] Mobile: 07831 840541 (+44 7831 840541) Skype: jackmartinleith Professional website: www.leithcocreation.com Personal website: www.jackmartinleith.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackmartinleith LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/jackmartinleith Slideshare: www.slideshare.net/jackmartinleith Twitter: http://twitter.com/jackmartinleith On 27 May 2010 15:05, Michael Herman <[email protected]> wrote: i'll second jeff's recommendation of marv weisbord's 'productive workplaces.' that was the first thing that came to mind here. another was a map that jack martin leith did some years ago, showing overlapping development paths of various methods and leading practitioners. jack? m -- Michael Herman Michael Herman Associates http://www.michaelherman.com <http://www.michaelherman.com/> http://www.ronanparktrail.com <http://www.ronanparktrail.com/> http://www.chicagoconservationcorps.org <http://www.chicagoconservationcorps.org/> http://www.openspaceworld.org <http://www.openspaceworld.org/> 312-280-7838 (mobile) On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 4:39 AM, VISUELLE PROTOKOLLE <[email protected]> wrote: Dear Gerard, Our friend Jon Jenkins, who sadly died recently, said as the father of the IAF Method Database, that right now the three most important elements in our profession are VISUALIZATION, STORYTELLING and ONLINE METHODS. Greetings from Italy Reinhard Kuchenmüller VISUELLE PROTOKOLLE® www.visuelle-protokolle.de <http://www.visuelle-protokolle.de/> +39-0566-88929 Am 27/05/10 08:16 schrieb "Gerard Muller" unter <[email protected]>: Dear All, At the upcoming Organisational Development World Summit (see http://www.odworldsummit.org/, which is organised in collaboration with several organisations and communities - amongst which several who are on this list , we are organising part of the program as a special journey through the history of our profession, before we move into its future. I would like to ask for your help in identifying what you feel are the 2-3 elements which deserve a place in this journey. This could be either in the history of the profession (a book, a bit of research, the birth of an method or theory), or in the history of the society around (political, technological, ...). If you have a specific idea how to represent the elements which come to mind, that would be great. In the case of a publication, it could be the book itself, in the case of an event maybe the invitation, a poster, pictures. But well also have space for filmclips and music. Please mail any ideas to my E-mail at [email protected], in the course of the coming week. Thanks for your assistance !! Greetings from Denmark, Gerard Muller Open Space Institute Denmark Phone: (+45) 21269621 Mail: [email protected] Skype: openspace1 www.openspace.dk <http://www.openspace.dk/> <http://www.openspace.dk <http://www.openspace.dk/> > * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
