I prefer to think of these micro-rules things as "patterns." To me that better helps to think about them without using the proscriptive word "rules." Even principles, at least in the current corporate culture, are usually understood to be prescriptive.
Patterns on the other hand just are, and we notice them at increasing scales. The biggest patterns in Open Space are certainly captured in th eprinciples and the law but there are many other patterns that arise in Open Space events. Several which I have seen include: - The circle as the operating structure. Small groups tend to form very tight and near perfect circles. - Creating a feedback loop is what spurs action - There is often a person who will order the wall so they have something to do with their control impulses. There are many of these patterns. Cool things to notice. Chris On 5/30/07, Harrison Owen <[email protected]> wrote:
Artur wrote: "Would you agree with my heresy?" Sorry, Artur – No heresy, so far as I can see J But the reason I asked the question was that for some time now, it has been apparent to me that both the Principles and the Law were in fact descriptive, as opposed to prescriptive. In short they simply acknowledge what will happen anyhow rather than telling people what to do. I think this is very clear with the 4 Principles, but it is also true of The Law of Two Feet, I think. I understand that most of us have been trained, brainwashed, socialized (or whatever) to restrict the use of our two feet, all under the heading of duty, politeness. And it is true that people will endure a phenomenal amount of abuse in the name of duty and politeness. But I still think they follow the Law of Two Feet anyhow – psychologically if not physically. So in a particularly boring meeting which you would rather not attend, your body is still there, but the mind and the heart have definitely gone to another place. And after a while, even the body follows without moving – falls asleep. Given all of the above it makes perfect sense to me that an Open Space could proceed quite well (work at some level) with no special mention of the Principles or the Law. I think it is likely to work much better when both the Principles and the Law are brought to people's attention – and assume some significant place in their consciousness. Self organization, as I would understand it, is always happening whether we like it or not, whether we are conscious of it or not. However, I do think there is a useful role to be played in bringing the unconscious to consciousness. The net effect is to begin to optimize the self organizing function as opposed to either ignoring it, or worse, suppressing it (which seems to be the usual mode). This is the role of the facilitator in an Open Space, and it is best done lightly and in a minimalist fashion – but done none the less. I think there is a much broader and more important role to be played in the larger world of self-organizing systems, such things as our businesses and other institutions, doing the same sort of thing. Our experience with Open Space can be very valuable as a training environment for this larger role. If you were to ask me where I think all of this is headed (which you didn't), I think the true significance of Open Space Technology is that it has provided this "training opportunity." I really look forward to the day when we consider OST as that funny, but nice, thing we did on the way to the future. Now there is some heresy for you! Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20854 Phone 301-365-2093 Skype hhowen Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website www.ho-image.com OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html<http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html> -----Original Message----- *From:* OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Artur Silva *Sent:* Tuesday, May 29, 2007 5:43 PM *To:* [email protected] *Subject:* Re: doing self-organization - OST "foundations" Thanks for your question, Harrison. That is a very interesting point indeed. The Law of two feet is one of the most marvelous "micro rules" of OST. Without it, people would not feel "invited" - they would probably stay in their groups even if they are not interested - or leave the space completely. Without the law there is no Open Space, I think. In what concerns the Principles, you probably recall that I have conducted some OST meetings without mentioning the principles at all, and it worked fine. So, for me the Principles are not a micro rule (essential to create OST) but one of the many marvelous things that happen in Open Space. They are one of the things that emerge from the micro-rules. A consequence of OST - not a foundation of OST. Would you agree with my heresy? Regards Artur PS: From your other comment I assume that you have missed the heresies in the list ;-) ----------- *Harrison Owen <[email protected]>* wrote: Artur - great to see you here! I could ask where you have been hiding, = but I am afraid you might tell me. :-) I'm curious why do you include the Law of Two Feet under the heading of "micro-rule," but not the Four Principles? (...) ------------------------------ Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! 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