Hi Barry, You wrote " *My general observation is that Open Space happens at some level every time any group gathers . . . Having the meeting using OST simply increases the impact for more of the participants. So . . . *"
I am in total agreement that life, the universe and everything is an on-going OST. However, does your message mean, call it OST, and do what you want because at the end of the day anyway OST will creep in there somewhere? Also I guess you have experienced enough OST to notice it everywhere, how does that work for those who have not? I know the answer to my questions, and in fact any question, is "...well just open more space"... and yet... because of the beauty I have experienced in my own life and in groups etc through the opening of space... I feel a kind of 'lost opportunity' when something is presented explicitly as OST and then what is done is far from OST... it offers the hope of a trickle, when a river lock could have been opened... and yet I know that even a trickle can lead to more... I dunno, think I am touching on some of paradox about letting go to allow more instead of holding on... hmmmm... lost in thought... Smiles Bhav... On Sun, 9 Jun 2019 at 19:27, Barry Owen via OSList < [email protected]> wrote: > Harold - What you wrote is great. Thank you! > > Bhavish, I could copy and paste your comments @ Massacre of Open Space and > send them to a group that does an annual event here in Nashville. > > This event began with me doing an Open Space event. I invited REALTORS to > come together to talk about issues and opportunities we were facing as a > direct result of the Economic Downward Spiral in 2008 which was devastating > for many. Because this topic also affected all of the "Service Support" > people we rely on during transactions (Lenders, Title Companies, > Contractors, Inspectors, & etc), I invited them to come as sponsors. 24 of > these sponsors paid $150 each for a table to display information about > their business. This money paid all of the overhead, so the event was free > for the REALTORS. I arranged these tables in a concentric circle around > the Main Circle and invited the sponsors to attend as participants. This > was an Open Space meeting about a very important issue with people from > every conceivable Real Estate related business - 300 REALTORS attended, and > the event was a huge success. > > The following year, I was queueing up a "2nd Annual" event when I was > approached by a group of people who had the backing of the REALTOR > Association. Based on the success of the event I facilitated, they decided > to do it using BarCamp - NashvilleREBarcamp and scheduled their event to > conflict with mine. They asked me join forces with them rather than having > 2 different events. With reservation, I agreed, and the event was also a > huge success (Although not Open Space) - 500 Participants - More > "Traditional" arrangement for sponsors who paid more money to sponsor > breakout spaces and were not, under any circumstances, allowed to do any > promotion beyond their name on the breakout space. > > Over the past 10 years, that event has grown and morphed into what you > describe . . . and even worse. The 10th Annual was a couple months ago - > Over 700 REALTORS registered . . . There were @ 30 "Experts" who flew in > from all over the country to "teach" sessions. There were @ 35 sessions (I > did one about "Operating a Brokerage in Open Space"). All of the sessions > were scheduled before the doors opened. I was disappointed because I > thought it could have been way better in Open Space Technology, but . . . > > I decided it was better than nothing :-) As I went through the day, I > noticed that, even though OST wasn't the process for the meeting . . . Open > Space happened for many of the participants. > > My general observation is that Open Space happens at some level every time > any group gathers . . . Having the meeting using OST simply increases the > impact for more of the participants. So . . . > > Harrison Owen's mantra of "Just Open more Space" is happening every day as > each of us is out there engaging important and complex issues and > opportunities . . . even when it doesn't look like OST. > > > On Fri, Jun 7, 2019 at 3:58 PM Harold Shinsato via OSList < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Very interesting conversation and attempts to describe OST! >> >> I'm reading Nassim Nicholas Taleb's book, Anti-Fragile. It seems to me >> Open Space is antifragile. >> >> The idea of antifragility goes beyond resilience. Life in general is >> antifragile. It doesn't just bounce back from set-backs. It actually gets >> stronger as it overcomes challenges and stress. >> >> Antifragility seems relevant in this conversation as it seems the more >> people try to document or describe Open Space, even with rather challenging >> inaccuracies, the stronger it gets. I like Liberating Structures. The >> 'min-specs' for OST seem accurate in the book and the website, even if it >> leaves out how much more powerful it gets in the "long form" (or at least >> more than 90 minutes). And it leaves out the need to get strong >> authorization from leaders. I love that it says it's not open space without >> the law of two feet. But the Liberating Structures 'min-specs' don't >> emphasize the importance of not generating topics ahead of time. I've >> unfortunately encountered rather large events claiming to be 'open space' >> where the participants either generated the topics in advance, or worse, >> didn't even get to generate the topics. >> >> The "Open Space" with-a-twist as described on >> https://workshopbank.com/open-space-technology shows a nice picture and >> I hope it introduces more folks to Open Space Technology. For me at least, >> doing the agenda creation before the OST is an unconference trick, but it >> hugely diminishes the potential power of OST. >> >> For what it is worth - Harrison Owen may not have claimed any ownership >> rights of Open Space, but what he did do is ask us to share back what we >> learn as we practice Open Space. That should start by honoring and sharing >> our sources. >> >> Another way to reference back is a project the Open Space Institute U.S. >> did a several years ago with Harrison Owen's help. "Open Space Technology: >> The Reference Definition" which is Creative Commons Share and Adapt (cc >> by-sa) licensed. So feel free to reference it as you share-and-extend. >> Twisty or Straight! >> >> http://osius.org/ost-reference-definition >> >> Regards, >> Harold >> >> On 6/5/19 8:10 AM, Robin Muretisch, Facilitative Insights, LLC via OSList >> wrote: >> >> For everyone, the Liberating Structures site has a handy “min specs” >> description of OST. Here’s the link: >> http://www.liberatingstructures.com/25-open-space-technology/. >> >> >> >> Regards, >> >> Robin >> >> >> Robin D. H. Muretisch, CPF, MBA, CPA >> >> IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator >> >> *[email protected] <[email protected]>* | 770.371.5874 | [image: >> cid:[email protected]] >> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-muretisch/> >> >> [image: cid:[email protected]] <http://www.facinsights.com/> >> >> >> >> *From:* OSList <[email protected]> >> <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Nick Martin via >> OSList >> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 05, 2019 2:33 AM >> *To:* Marai Kiele <[email protected]> >> <[email protected]>; ost list international >> <[email protected]> <[email protected]> >> *Cc:* Nick Martin <[email protected]> <[email protected]> >> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] open message to Nick Martin >> >> >> >> Thanks for your open letter Marai. I'm always excited and willing to >> receive feedback. >> >> As you'll remember over a year ago I opened up the content of this >> article for comments and input from this list in the form of a Google Doc. >> >> Such was the passion exhibited in the original thread I was eager and >> excited to receive your inputs. Unfortunately only two people replied >> though. I'm very grateful to both you and Keith Blundell for taking the >> time. >> >> I must admit life took over and in my wait for more input other >> priorities took over. I'm happy to revisit it now though as I can feel the >> energy is back and I'd like to the right thing in the eyes of this >> excellent community. >> >> Here's the link - >> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ufIsy0BQvIqlRUbW0FAyXHGV0IKw3VdDT8L91RIJJU8/edit?usp=sharing >> >> Please add your thoughts, comments and feedback and amend the article as >> best I can. >> >> >> [image: photo] >> >> *Nick Martin* >> Founder & CEO,WorkshopBank >> >> *M * +45 42 47 00 74 <+45%2042%2047%2000%2074>*E * [email protected] >> <[email protected]>*W * workshopbank.com >> >> <http://facebook.com/workshopbank> >> >> <http://dk.linkedin.com/in/nickmartn> >> >> <http://twitter.com/workshopbank> >> >> >> On 05/06/2019 01:53, Marai Kiele wrote: >> >> Hello Nick Martin, >> >> >> >> I find myself tense in my belly after reading your newsletter today: >> >> >> >> I just wanted to share with you a popular WorkshopBank tool >> <https://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiMjM3MTU2MiIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiNjc1OTQzNzE4MiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd29ya3Nob3BiYW5rLmNvbS9vcGVuLXNwYWNlLXRlY2hub2xvZ3k_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1kcmlwXHUwMDI2dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbFx1MDAyNnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXctdG9vbC1vcGVuLXNwYWNlXHUwMDI2X19zPXFtZXdvcGZiZnpzMnBvY3ltZTRnIn0> >> you >> can start using with your clients right away. Let me know what you think. >> >> >> >> You suggest that the reader lets you know what they think. I choose to do >> that. >> >> >> >> I also choose to do that in the form of an open letter, as several months >> back you asked on the os-list for input to your description of the OST >> process for the Workshopbank. >> >> You introduced your version of „OST with a twist“, and there was a >> somewhat heated discussion on this list about it. >> >> I participated in both, revising and giving you feedback on your >> description (as requested) and discussing about „is something with such a >> twist still OST?“ >> >> >> >> Your twist was about giving the leaders control about >> the topics. >> >> >> >> Back then I used the analogy that you are mixing red wine with coca cola >> (which some people actually do and drink — I tried it out as a teenager). >> >> And that calling such a beverage „red wine with a twist“ is an inaccurate >> representation of a) red wine and b) the taste that a consumer will >> experience. >> >> (side note: usually, this mix is done with red wine of poor quality) >> >> >> >> In my analogy, OST is the red wine and controlling the >> process is the coke. >> >> >> >> In your description, you early on distinguish between OST and OST with a >> twist. I first appreciated you for making that distinction so upfront. >> >> Then I read what you wrote under: >> >> *If you’re following the traditional Open Space Process...* >> >> - 1 >> >> Gather your participants together and briefly explain how Open Space >> events work using Harrison Owen’s 1 Law and the Guiding Principles as >> appropriate. Traditionally you should do this with everyone in a circle >> around you but you don’t necessarily have to. >> >> - 2 >> >> Ask participants to spend 10 minutes thinking through if they have any >> issues they’d like to raise. >> >> - 3 >> >> If there is a general agreement that the issue has enough support and >> passion behind it invite the issue owner to add the issue to the schedule. >> >> - 4 >> >> Once all issues have been added invite the participants to sign-up for >> the sessions they’re planning on attending (they are free to change their >> mind later if they want to). >> >> - 5 >> >> Your sessions start. >> >> >> >> There is much more on this page that, as I see it, is NOT "the >> traditional Open Space Process“. I am giving just some further examples: >> >> https://workshopbank.com/open-space-technology >> Process for a Session >> >> - 1 >> >> Each session should be a round group of chairs (no table in the middle) with >> preferably one facilitator to lead the discussion and a scribe on the >> flip-chart. >> >> - 2 >> >> A session starts with the issue owner welcoming and thanking the group >> for coming and then giving a description of the issue as they see it. >> >> - 3 >> >> The facilitator then leads the discussion inviting people to give their >> input at their request. >> >> - 4 >> >> The scribe records the discussion on flip chart paper making sure to >> mark Issues, Ideas, Questions (that can’t be answered today) & Actions. When >> a flip is finished they should tear it off and put it in the center of >> the circle or on a nearby wall for people in the group to see. >> >> - 5 >> >> Allow people to leave and arrive as they see fit though don’t allow them >> to interrupt or slow-down your progress. It is a new arrival’s >> responsibility to catch-up with the discussion using the flip chart outputs >> no matter how high up or important they are. >> >> - 6 >> >> When the issue looks like it has been covered and there are no more >> inputs coming from your group thank them for their time and invite them to >> join other groups if the session time is not over. >> >> >> >> To me, calling this description "the traditional Open Space Process“ I >> wonder if >> >> >> >> - I am totally rigid and should just loosen up to the >> variations of OST >> >> - You have never experienced a traditional Open Space >> Process >> >> - You just don’t care about the originality and instead >> rather cater to business needs of controlled processes that limit >> self-organisation >> >> - I misremember all my trainings with Harrison Owen, >> Michael M Pannwitz, Michael Pannwitz jr, Joe Töpfer, and last but not least >> Birgitt Williams. >> >> - or… ? >> >> >> >> I totally don’t get it. >> >> I don’t like what you are doing. >> >> I also dislike that you market this description of „the traditional Open >> Space Process“ as „a popular WorkshopBank Tool“. >> >> >> >> I feel sad when I imagine people following your description and spreading >> the word that „this is the traditional way of doing OST“. >> >> >> >> Using my former analogy: >> >> I imagine what you are doing is like a beverage shop introducing someone >> who has never tasted a good red wine to that beverage. >> >> Because this person usually drink coke, they are being given red wine >> mixed with coke (to match their taste buds). >> >> And then they are being told, „this is a traditional Cabernet Sauvignon“. >> >> >> >> I want you to revise your description and move your adaptions away from >> "the original version" to „OST with a twist“. >> >> >> >> Are you willing to do that? >> >> >> >> Probably even better: Call it „…………….. - a process partly inspired by >> Open Space Technology“ >> >> >> >> I look forward to your response, >> >> Marai >> >> >> >> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marai-kiele/ >> >> https://about.me/maraikiele >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> Past archives can be viewed here: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >> >> >> -- >> Harold Shinsato >> [email protected] >> http://shinsato.com >> twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> Past archives can be viewed here: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > > -- > *Barry Owen* > *Inviter - Facilitator/Practicer of Open Space Technology * > *Opening and Holding safe space for people and organizations to > self-organize around important issues and opportunities. * > *Invite - Listen - Love* > > *615-568-2123* > *BarryOwen.us <http://BarryOwen.us>* > > *4004 Hillsboro Pike B234* > *Nashville, TN 37215* > _______________________________________________ > 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 > Past archives can be viewed here: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
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