Beautiful. Both of you. The question of what is my intent and purpose is top of mind every time I work with a group. It is that principle that guides me in making choices of omission or commission!
Chris -- CHRIS CORRIGAN Harvest Moon Consultants Facilitation, Open Space Technology and process design Check www.chriscorrigan.com for upcoming workshops, blog posts and free resources. > On Nov 18, 2014, at 10:54 AM, Michael M Pannwitz <[email protected]> wrote: > > Dear Chris, > > every time I facilitated an OS-gathering, I carefully checked the place and > pinpointed the place where folks coming to the event would enter the > building. Right there I put the "Welcome" sign. If participants came from > different countries we arranged it so folks could write "welcome" in their > languages (see attachment). > > Then I looked for the door to the space where folks would gather in a circle > and put the "Be prepared to be surprised" sign (in my German version its even > more of an admonition: "Augen Auf! Mit Überraschungen ist zu rechnen.") on > the door making sure it would be seen when the door is open. And then, of > course, refer to it in my introduction. > > As for all signs (Law, Facts of Life, Crittors) I usually used flipchart > paper and always wrote all of them by hand (anybody can do that everywhere > any time, just paper and markers) for every event, part of my meditation. > These posters were hung horizontally except for the admonition, it was > vertical and slightly askew. > > One time during an ost-training when participants got into setting up an os > event the person in charge for the admonition felt that it had to go onto a > pinwall in a certain place. Since there was no pinwall left over for that > purpose she looked through the venue for an alternative and found a broken > down pinwall with legs of different lengths, so the whole contraption was > askew, not what you would expect in an orderly place. She felt this was > perfect for "Be prepared to be surprised!". > > Of course, she received the "Most innovative intervention achievement award" > that year at a special ceremony in Weimar where I treated the whole crowd to > local wine. > > One criteria for the award is a consequential manifestation of "Form follows > Function". That, I think is also a criteria for the question Harrison raises > "Why do we do what we do? What is the intent or purpose?" > > The outcome of that reflection might be that all facilitating os-events will > clarify for themselves why they do stuff and what their intention is. And > that, surprise, will result in infinite variations on the approach. > > Greetings from Berlin > mmp > > > > > >> On 18.11.2014 00:24, Chris Corrigan via OSList wrote: >> Yeah… >> >> I’ve always thought of Fr. Brian’s slogan as the fifth law. I >> appreciate “where ever it happens is the right place” but “Be prepared >> to be surprised” was always, like Brian himself, so very practical! >> >> Chris >> >> >>> On Nov 17, 2014, at 2:21 PM, Michael Herman <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> >>> All of us as facilitators would do well to remember that people >>> are not coming to a meeting to be wowed by a process that you >>> personally love. They are coming to get work done. And so it >>> behooves us to put a lid on our passions for the mechanics of the >>> process and simply open space so that work can get done. Later on >>> you can reflect on WHY it happened like that. >>> >>> >>> yes yes yes, chris. it may well be that the, shall we say, >>> "traditional" story of 4 principles, one law and a couple of bugs is >>> ready to go the way of voting. there is still something to be said >>> for talking about the purpose, and something to be said for not >>> knowing what will happen. i always liked that fr. brian used to put >>> "be prepared to be surprised" at the entrance to the space. and >>> something to be said for giving people a chance to think about what >>> they want to do/post, before the chaos of writing and announcing >>> begins. probably this "time to think" is the most important part >>> about talking about principles and bugs. the higher the stakes and/or >>> the larger the group, probably the more time for pre-soaking. guess >>> that's the art of it really... just enough, but no more, in the >>> briefing. and in whatever way that we don't create a distraction from >>> which we cannot escape. the better we know the group and the issues, >>> probably the easier it is to do this. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> >>> Michael Herman >>> Michael Herman Associates >>> 312-280-7838 (mobile) >>> >>> http://MichaelHerman.com <http://michaelherman.com/> >>> http://OpenSpaceWorld.org <http://openspaceworld.org/> >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 4:03 PM, Chris Corrigan via OSList >>> <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> >>> I have opened space many many times without ever mentioning the >>> four principles, the law or any other assorted wisdom associated >>> with WHY the process works. >>> >>> My basic practice is to explain HOW we will organize ourselves, >>> pointing out the tools we have to do so: paper, markers, bulletin >>> board. >>> >>> I talk about passion and responsibility “Please only post a topic >>> you will personally show up for…” and I mention the freedom of >>> choosing and moving. >>> >>> That is all that people need to get into Open Space. I’m not sure >>> the principles or the law or anything else are necessary >>> pre-conditions for the appearance and deployment of Open Space in >>> a meeting. I think they help explain what is happening, and I >>> think they help people let go of control a little. >>> >>> All of us as facilitators would do well to remember that people >>> are not coming to a meeting to be wowed by a process that you >>> personally love. They are coming to get work done. And so it >>> behooves us to put a lid on our passions for the mechanics of the >>> process and simply open space so that work can get done. Later on >>> you can reflect on WHY it happened like that. >>> >>> As for the idea that OST is mainstream, well perhaps not yet. But >>> within the world of people who think a lot about this sort of >>> thing it is widely known. I feel like these days people call and >>> ask about OST having experienced it whereas in the 1990s and early >>> 200s people were calling because it seemed like a good idea, but >>> they had never experienced it. So not mainstream per se, but >>> widely accepted and known in a small part of the world. >>> >>> At any rate it has been a long time since I have asked the >>> question at the start of a meeting and seen zero hands go up. >>> There seems to be at least one person who knows Open Space. >>> >>> Whether we use the original instructions or modifications or >>> innovations, whatever you do, do it very very well. Be very >>> conscious, model good leadership and never stop embodying >>> invitation. Lots of people have witnessed poorly planned Open >>> Spaces run by facilitators who are too nervous to let go of their >>> control of it. We all owe it to our clients and participants to >>> meet their needs well with a process that helps them get unlocked >>> from the stuck places they get into. >>> >>> Here’s my book again for you to download. I hope it inspires your >>> practice. >>> >>> The Tao of Holding Space >>> <http://www.archive.org/details/TheTaoOfHoldingSpace> >>> >>> Chris >>> >>> >>>> On Nov 14, 2014, at 11:09 PM, John Baxter via OSList >>>> <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Nice reflection Harrison. >>>> >>>> You've unfortunately created too many loose ends to inspire a >>>> neat reply. So here is a messy one. >>>> >>>> Regards the simplest recipe for Open Space, to what degree have >>>> the Law and N Principles (and the animals) been critically >>>> tested? To be honest, these have never really resonated for me >>>> and I've always used a different variation each time searching >>>> for something that feels right (and no longer than it needs to be). >>>> >>>> I think it's a long bow to describe Open Space as mainstream, or >>>> anywhere near it. It has spread to all corners of the globe >>>> perhaps, but it is still the System A alternative, islands within >>>> a System B world. I would hazard 90% of those who have been to >>>> conferences and meetings and like gatherings have not heard of >>>> it... (speaking at a conference on cocreation and placemaking >>>> recently, I requested a hands-up and had a whole TWO of hundreds >>>> confess to acquaintance) >>>> and even if 90% had, I'm sure less than 1% of the gatherings they >>>> attend are consciously designed to unlock self organisation. >>>> >>>> What you describe of the permutations of the practice matches >>>> what I see (though I'm too new to know differently), but I can't >>>> see how this could be because of a tipping point as the practice >>>> is mainstreamed. >>>> >>>> Maybe that's just where I participate. >>>> >>>> Regards the permutations and combinations... bring them on! This >>>> thread could quickly follow all sorts of rabbit holes on this >>>> one, so I might save those thoughts for another day. >>>> >>>> Cheers >>>> >>>> >>>> */John Baxter/* >>>> /Cocreation Consultant & CoCreate Adelaide Facilitator/ >>>> jsbaxter.com.au <http://www.jsbaxter.com.au/> | CoCreateADL.com >>>> <http://cocreateadl.com/> >>>> 0405 447 829 >>>> | >>>> @jsbaxter_ <http://twitter.com/jsbaxter_> >>>> >>>> /Thank you to everyone who came, helped or spread the good word >>>> about *City Grill*!/ >>>> /Summary and links: cocreateadl.com/localgov/grill-summary/ >>>> <http://cocreateadl.com/localgov/grill-summary/>/ >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Nov 14, 2014 at 5:37 AM, paul levy via OSList >>>> <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> >>>> The problem with sticking with things is you might just end >>>> up stuck. >>>> >>>> Ho hum. >>>> >>>> Paul Levy >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 13 Nov 2014, at 18:14, Harrison Owen via OSList >>>> <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Open Space, in its “original” form is sparse simplicity to >>>>> say the least. Ten to fifteen minutes introduction, and it >>>>> is off the races, or in my case, off to take a nap. The >>>>> evolution of this format followed a simple dictum: “Think of >>>>> one more thing NOT to do.” Over time in my practice I simply >>>>> removed one more element. The first to go were so called, >>>>> “warm up exercises.” But it went down from there. My >>>>> surprise was that the less I did, the better it got... which >>>>> seemed to be the exact opposite of many of my colleagues’ >>>>> experience with the methods and approaches they had created. >>>>> Their simple guide books gave way to 400 page Manuals with >>>>> additions and extensions. Of course, there were times when >>>>> people remarked to me that OS was so simple it couldn’t >>>>> possibly work. But it did. Simply sit in a circle, create a >>>>> bulletin board, acknowledge the 5 principles and the Law – >>>>> and Go to Work! That’s it. That’s all. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I confess that I do love elegant simplicity, and so there is >>>>> a large part of me that would stick with the “original” for >>>>> that reason alone. To this may be added the fact that this >>>>> “elegant simplicity” apparently violated essentially all the >>>>> principles and practices of management that I knew about. To >>>>> some extent this was a source of no small amount of >>>>> embarrassment, for after all when what you see, do, and >>>>> think is at odds with the Received Wisdom there are obvious >>>>> questions about your grasp of reality. But, the disparity >>>>> between what I was witnessing and what (I was told) I >>>>> should be experiencing has led to a marvelous quest into the >>>>> strange new world of self organizing systems. Rich and >>>>> rewarding indeed. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Now it seems that the world is changing (or at least our >>>>> perception of that world) such that the strange environment >>>>> of self organization is no longer so strange. What appeared >>>>> odd, counter-intuitive, impossible is now almost mainstream. >>>>> Not quite but getting there. And if so, perhaps it is now >>>>> time to let go of that old “elegant simplicity” in all of >>>>> its appealing purity... and plunge into the marvelous world >>>>> of combinations and permutations. And why not? It could be a >>>>> lot of fun. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I can see the possibilities, but I doubt seriously I would >>>>> change. Senile sentimentality for sure, AND I actually have >>>>> another concern which I think may be determinative. I >>>>> suspect that OST (simple version) may be the best Training >>>>> Program going when it comes to the introduction of folks to >>>>> the High Arts of navigating a self organizing world. And >>>>> best of all it is Experiential Learning from the start. >>>>> Training and Doing are absolutely united. It is not talking >>>>> about self organization it is being intentionally in that >>>>> mode. And any added complexity/parallel program will tend to >>>>> obscure the central mind bending fact – It’s happening all >>>>> by itself. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> We have talked about this “ training” function before, >>>>> usually under the heading of Chris Corrigan’s notion of >>>>> Training Wheels. That is definitely good start, but only a >>>>> start. We can do more, and it could be a real kick. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> So I plan to stick with the original – with the hope and >>>>> intent that lots of new people will drop by to experience >>>>> the incredible, productive freedom of losing control, and >>>>> then come to understand that it is actually their >>>>> birthright. They only have to claim it. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Harrison >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Winter Address >>>>> >>>>> 7808 River Falls Drive >>>>> >>>>> Potomac, MD 20854 >>>>> >>>>> 301-365-2093 <tel:301-365-2093> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Summer Address >>>>> >>>>> 189 Beaucaire Ave. >>>>> >>>>> Camden, ME 04843 >>>>> >>>>> 207-763-3261 <tel:207-763-3261> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Websites >>>>> >>>>> www.openspaceworld.com <http://%20www.openspaceworld.com/> >>>>> >>>>> www.ho-image.com <http://www.ho-image.com/> >>>>> >>>>> OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view >>>>> the archives of OSLIST Go >>>>> >>>>> to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>> To post send emails to [email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>>> >>>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> OSList mailing list >>>> To post send emails to [email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>> [email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> OSList mailing list >>>> To post send emails to [email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>> [email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to [email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> [email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OSList mailing list >> To post send emails to [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org > > -- > Michael M Pannwitz > Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany > ++49 - 30-772 8000 > > > > Check out the Open Space World Map presently showing 399 resident Open Space > Workers in 69 countries working in a total of 143 countries worldwide: > www.openspaceworldmap.org > <Welcome.jpg> _______________________________________________ OSList mailing list To post send emails to [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
