Hiya Shikha. Thanks for sharing your experiences of doing Open Space in south east Asia and Pakistan.
You say: "The part we missed was good planning with two of us." One way to reduce the likelihood of a repeat of your Pakistan experience is to pull together a design team consisting of you (and your co-facilitator if you're working with one), the client-side person and, say, three people who be taking part in the Open Space event. The design team decides: - The non-negotiables (the musts and must nots - what some call 'the givens') - The date, timing and location of the OS event - The theme or focal question - The outputs that are required from the event - reports, photos, whatever - and the reporting method to be used - Who to invite and how to invite them - Number and length of timeslots - Places to meet - where and how many - What materials will be needed (paper, pens, flipchart stands and pads etc.) and how these will be acquired No matter how well a collaborative gathering is designed, the reality will almost always be different. You plan for 150 people and only 70 show up. You thought a 45 minute timeslot would be enough, but on the day people needed 60 minutes. You arranged six places to meet but eight were required. And so on. But a design team generally produces a better design than one created by other means. The three participants-to-be know things that you aren't aware of. If one of the three is a sceptic, so much the better. I was taught this way of working by Robert "Jake" Jacobs, the co-developer of Real Time Strategic Change ( http://thechangehandbook.com/content/view/62/38) and it translates readily to Open Space. Some people have said to me: "You don't need a design team for an Open Space event - there's nothing to design." Your experience in Pakistan proves otherwise! Thank you again for telling your stories. Jack Jack Martin Leith : Fostering innovation next practice Bristol, United Kingdom Mobile: 07831 840541 (+44 7831 840541) Skype: jackmartinleith email: [email protected] www.jackmartinleith.com Follow Ideas to Success on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ideastosuccess Join the management renegades at http://moon-shots.ning.com 2009/4/10 Shikha Shrestha <[email protected]> > Dear Bui, > > There is always new learning experience while facilitating using open > space. As you really do not know what will be outcomes of the meeting. These > outcomes are always good surprises. > > In context of South Asia, there is very big power based hierarchical > structure. So, it was hard for these Chairperson or Board or President > treated as equal as our philosophy of circle. However, the strategy we > adopted was convincing these sources of power the relevance of our > methodology and saying that it is a platform where they can moderate their > discussions on the agenda they wanted. Another challenge was moving these > big people from one group to other, that again need lots of convincing. The > methodology has been great in my experience with the youth, who are open to > new ideas and vibrant options of facilitations. > > I always recall my experience of Pakistan as one of the nightmare;) The > methodology was not well taken by the participants. While reviewing the > reason, it was mainly due to language barrier. We had made a team of two > person, myself and other friend of local area who was fluent in local > language. The part we missed was good planning with two of us. Therefore, I > think it is mainly about knowing expectations of the participants, their > composition and cultural background where we can twist a bit of our > methodology to make it a livelier workshops ever! > > Hope it helps, > > Shikha > > > On 4/9/09, Harrison Owen <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Bui – Not to worry about odd balances of power. More often that not the >> “offender” (Chairman of the Board, President, etc) will get the picture and >> will simply be blown away by the rich resources in the room. And if they >> are not impressed, they are the real losers. Of course, it may be that the >> Big Cheese is SO good that nobody else has anything to contribute – if so >> he/she is REALLY a looser. After all he/she is the person who hired all >> those folks and if it turns out that they are all just plain turkeys, that >> does not say much for his executive ability. To say the least! >> >> >> >> But let me ask you this. If not Open Space – what would you do? Go ahead >> and tell me that you are going to keep in control of the situation J >> >> >> >> 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 *Bui >> Petersen >> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 08, 2009 10:33 PM >> *To:* [email protected] >> *Subject:* Re: SV: [OSLIST] Bad OS experiences >> >> >> >> Thank you everyone for you great and varied responses. I think I am >> reminded of the importance of preparation and of clearly assessing if OST is >> a good choice for the situation. >> >> The more I think of the OS my wife participated in, the more I start to >> believe that the conditions may not have been right and the problems may >> have exacerbated by the some of the modification of the format. >> >> I do have a concern about using OS situations where there are significant >> power imbalances. I'm sure it has worked such on occasions but I am also >> nervous that it may not always do that. >> >> Thanks again, >> >> Bui >> >> Thomas Herrmann wrote: >> >> The other day I had a participant in an Open Space-meeting telling me that >> she had a not so good experience in something called Open Space – where the >> facilitator used an alarm-clock – I guess to “tell” participants when “it >> was over” – and on top of that the alarm went off every now and then – so it >> seemed not even the alarm-clock could be managed... That participant, by the >> way, signed up for our upcoming training in October... >> >> >> >> One thing I do is to provide participants with an invitation to start with >> a round at hte start of each session. That gives everyone the opportunity to >> use his/her voice directly and share what thoughts they brought to the >> session – why they chose to come and also presenting their name to the >> workgroup. My experience is that this adds to the conversation and >> highlights that there is such richness in the group – straight at the start >> of their meeting. >> >> I’ve personally experienced working sessions in Open Space where one or a >> few people in the group occupied the space talking and talking – and of >> course yes I used my feet... >> >> Cheers >> >> Thomas Herrmann >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> *Från:* OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] *För *Jack >> Ricchiuto >> *Skickat:* den 8 april 2009 22:22 >> *Till:* [email protected] >> *Ämne:* Re: [OSLIST] Bad OS experiences >> >> >> >> Thanks Harrison, and I resonate with the "no bad open space" experience >> because it always does in a community exactly what it can to reveal, heal, >> evoke, provoke and connect. It may not satisfy obsessions with speed and >> scale, but often delights the tenders of organic growth. >> >> With gratitude, Jack >> >> -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- >> DesigningLife.com >> >> On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 3:36 PM, Harrison Owen <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> How wonderful to return to find BAD OPEN SPACE! I didn't know there was >> any, >> and truthfully, I never met an Open space I didn't like. But then again I >> am >> biased. My own experience is that as long as the conditions are OK (Real >> business issue, voluntary self-selection, lots of diversity, lots of >> complexity, real passion/confusion, and a decision time of yesterday) and >> the procedure followed (sit in circle, create bulletin board, open market >> place, go to work) just about everything comes out perfect. Does that mean >> that everybody is 100% happy? Have they ever been? -- and if not, why now? >> >> The president of a company whose employees decided to dissolve the >> company; >> he was un-happy. Control freaks that were sure that their way was the only >> way -- they were unhappy. People who suffer from Freedom Shock pretty well >> go out of their gourds. People who think so little of themselves that they >> permit the blowhards of this world to brow beat them without employing the >> Law of Two Feet are definitely unhappy -- and must also understand that >> they >> alone are responsible for their misery. Neither Open Space nor anything >> else >> will turn raving idiots into towering Einsteins for silk purses do not >> ordinarily come from sow's ears -- and that is a bad rap on sows! Goodness >> me -- we have problems. But are those problems attributable to Open Space? >> >> All of that said most people, most places, most of the time find the >> ordinary to be extraordinary, the mundane to be magnificent. Just an >> average >> day in Open Space, relishing the wonderful world of self organization -- >> which truthfully is the only world we have. >> >> 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 >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of >> Elisabeth >> Tepperk Kofod >> Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 2:14 PM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: Bad OS experiences >> >> I believe the key is in preparing the right question or issue. >> >> Elisabeth Tepper Kofod >> Venezuela >> >> -----Mensaje original----- >> De: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] En nombre de Larry >> Peterson >> Enviado el: miércoles, 08 de abril de 2009 10:52 a.m. >> Para: [email protected] >> Asunto: Re: [OSLIST] Bad OS experiences >> >> Bui: >> >> In Toronto, I've also experienced some people who were not happy with >> their >> experience of open space. >> >> Some people prefer the sense that somebody is in control of a meeting >> (particularly in Canada). Others, particularly in healthcare, who are used >> to dominating get upset when they are not able to do that. >> >> To me a critical component is the preparation of the sponsor by the >> facilitator. This is especially important in smaller groups from my >> experience. How they frame the space that is opened before the facilitator >> asks the question has a big impact on the sense of freedom that >> participants >> have or do not have. It is also important to have enough time in open >> space >> to get beyond the usual suspects shaping the discussion particularly when >> the culture of the group has not encouraged participation in the past. >> >> Certainly the setup of the room and the breakout spaces particularly in >> smaller group have a real impact. A clear articulation of be done with the >> results is also critical. >> >> I have led many open space events of 15 or fewer people that were lively, >> new ideas emerging, new leadership surfacing, over six hours to two days. >> Some individuals, however, are not quite ready to be full participants in >> riding waves. They only find this out in the experience of open space. >> >> Larry >> >> >> Larry Peterson & Associates in Transformation >> Toronto, Ontario, Canada >> [email protected] 416.653.4829 http://www.spiritedorg.com >> >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bui >> Petersen >> Sent: April-08-09 10:11 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: [OSLIST] Bad OS experiences >> >> Hi everyone, >> >> Having almost settled in living in St. John's, Newfoundland, I am >> looking for opportunities to open space. It is a slow process to >> introduce something that people are not familiar with, especially as I >> am new in a town where everyone seems to know each other. >> >> My question is, what do you do in cases where you meet people who HAVE >> been exposed to OST but did not have a good experience. My wife for one >> participated in one OS forum, and she is not at all convinced. Her >> experience was that the usual suspects did all the talking and those >> that usually are quiet, stayed that way. I wasn't there myself, but from >> what I gather there may have been some factors that contributed to this >> such as, the size of the group (only 15), the breakout spaces had tables >> and a couple of other factors. Nevertheless, my wife is not convinced it >> could have been much different. >> >> What do you more experienced think is a play? My own experience is >> limited so I'm not sure what to say about this. Is it the case that some >> OS events just don't have the right energy and don't work out that well? >> If so, what can you do to make people consider doing it again? The best >> I have come up with is that even if OST may not be perfect, it is better >> than most other things I have tried. >> >> Your thoughts would be much appreciated. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Bui Petersen >> >> * >> * >> ========================================================== >> [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 >> >> * * ========================================================== >> [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
