Re: Open Space client opportunity
Message text written by OSLIST >When I read your questions, I was reminded of several messages that Birgitt posted in the early days of the list about ongoing Open Space. I dug around in my archives and here are some wonderful insights into OS organizations from Birgitt: < Peg thanks so much for your tremendous support - as always and more inspiration from Birgitt Romy PS returned this evening from a four-day Open Space with 400 nuns!! It was totally wonderful.. and how easy it is to give of our best when we are appreciated and told so - every 5 minutes it seemed. Lucky me. * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html === osl...@egroups.com To subscribe, 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign up -- provide an email address, and choose a login ID and password 3. Click on "Subscribe" and follow the instructions To unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@egroups.com: 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign in and Proceed
Re: Open Space client opportunity
Your comments about Open Space Organization and Dee Hock are most helpful. I heartly agree from what I have heard of Dee Hocks foundation and work to date. He believes he his working at the level of creating the principles and formal structure that can creat the conditions for a self-organizing system and I think there are some things to learn form the story. However, he seems to be putting "the cart before the horse" as you say. Structure (not process) is so seductive and ingrained in our thinking. Larry
Re: Open Space client opportunity
At 05:53 PM 7/17/00 -0400, you wrote: As I sit here today putting together an outline programme for Diageo (as requested), I realise that I am not as strong as I might be in myself, in terms of moving from Open Space events into an on-going Open Space presence - or in the longer run an Open Space Organisation. The client has said that they do not want this to be a 'one-off' - more the start of a journey - which is perfect. And they have asked for thoughts on what the follow-on or journey might look like. * Romy -- I am not sure that what I have to say here will be of any direct help is framing specific "how tos" and "what nexts," but if I was sitting where you are sitting, here is where I would start -- at least conceptually. Opening point -- The issue is not to create an Open Space Organization (by whatever name) -- but rather to acknowledge it. It already exists, even when it is covered over by layers of bureaucracy and years of traditional practice. Heresy I know, but here is the thinking behind the outrage. It starts with a growing certainty for me -- That there is no such thing as a non-self-organizing system. There are only a number of (deluded) folks who think they did the job and therefore have the right/duty to be in charge. The connection between Open Space and self-organization is pretty obvious, and when I think about both the joy and power (to say nothing of creativity and productivity) of an organization working in Open Space -it all comes back to being (consciously) what we already are --- self-organizing. I would argue that the major hang-ups we experience organizationally come about when we do things that are contrary to our essential nature as organizations -- like try and be in charge, etc. So, when we talk about an Open Space Organization we often do so as if this was something we must bring to an existing organization, I think it is already there, and our role is to help folks to realize it. Doing an Open Space is the first step -- give people the experience of being authentically what they already are. It's called honesty, and it is amazing what happens when we are honest. Things like pretence, hideouts, guilt and similar sorts of things just seem to disappear, or at least feel a lot better -- and as icing on the cake, we actually get something useful done. So that's a start. Next step is to anchor the experience. We know that for many people the Open Space experience goes so fast and feels so good that they can't believe it. So it is useful to spend some time (not a lot of time) in reflection... Questions like -- what happened, how did it happen, and would we like it to happen again Then something a little odd ball -- Look for the same experience in your organization. We usually spend time enumerating all the problems. I suggest looking at what works. Find that spot in the organization where it is really fun and productive, and my bet is that the operative procedure there will look a lot more like an Open Space than the Rules of Engagement as found in the Organizational manual. The "spot" may not be a large one -- but unless the organization is totally moribund I am sure it will be found. QED -- Guess what -- we don't have to do anything new. We just have to be the way we already are (essentially). I have gone pretty fast and the logic is a little loose... but it is much easier to bring to life what is already present than to create something totally new. Of course there is a problem. We have spent most of our organizational life trying to get rid of and/or control the life of our organizations. So some sort of behavior change will be in order. But at least we will be starting from a point of experience... As a sort of Post Script -- Dee Hoeck (sp?) -- Mr Chaordic Organization -- enabled a most remarkable organization, Visa International. It was remarkable for at least two reasons. First it worked, and second -- nobody organized it. What is more remarkable is that since Dee came back to the public view, he has been attempting to replicate his success with other organizations. To the best of my knowledge, his success rate to date has been "0" -- And the reason, I think, is that he is attempting to organize a self-organizing system. Something work with that picture. I don't think we need to make the same mistake when dealing with an Open Space Organization. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 USA phone 301-469-9269 Summer Phone 207-763-3261 fax 301-983-9314 website www.mindspring.com/~owenhh Open Space Institute website www.openspaceworld.org
Re: Open Space client opportunity
Peggy, thank you for pulling up the archived notes about the Open Space Organization. As you know it is where the passion with my work is. Not the Open Space Technology meeting, except to see that as the starting point of the Open Space Organization for those who are wanting more. In 1992 when I was at the helm of a multi service social service, having been trained in Open Space Technology by Harrison I came back to my organization excited about the possiblilities. What I had learned about Open Space Technology fit with my beliefs, my way of leading an organization, and with my previous studies in story, myth, ritual, and shamanic healing practices including use of the medicine wheel. As well as my interest in organizational transformation. Open Space Technology was a methodology that used all of this and all that I was. We did the first Open Space Technology meeting, followed quickly by several more Open Space Technology meetings for each of the major topics that came out of the first meeting. We did many of our staff meetings in Open Space Technology, and when this was not possible, did them using Process Facilitation (which in the way I have learned it and used it uses many of the same values and underpinning principles as Open Space Technology). I believe we were the first intentional Open Space Organization. A year later, Harrison captured some of that in Millenium Organization. I have stayed stuck with the name Open Space Organization and didn't shift to the other, as the notes from the archives show. We continued as an Open Space Organization until 1995, at which time I left. The organization did not continue as an Open Space Organization after that time but many of the staff went on to other organizations and used Open Space Technology and what we had learned. And we had learned alot! Some of that story is captured in Tales from Open Space. In 1995 I ventured into the consulting world full time and was fortunate enough over the years to work with other organizations who were interested in capturing on a daily basis what they had experienced in an Open Space Technology meeting. A few of them continued on and are now in their third year. Others did not work so well. With my full passion for this on full speed ahead, I experimented and I learned more and more about the Open Space Organization and what ingredients are needed to enable it to work. And more recently, as you know, I feature this work in the training program Advanced Program of Open Space Technology focusing on the Open Space Organization. I do not have a model, rather a protocol. What became very important to me was not only to be able as a consultant to work with organizations myself to become Open Space Organizations, but how to duplicate this in such a way that I could teach other consultants and leaders in organizations. It was my great desire that we could assist many many organizations around the world to become Open Space Organizations, each unique according to their own life-force. I have not had adequate time to be on the list for a while and appreciate this opportunity. When I have been on the list before, I have been very clear about the importance of pre-work with a sponsor before an Open Space Technology meeting, and de-briefing work with the sponsor after the Open Space Technology meeting. This is because although I think we can have successful Open Space Technology meetings without this, I prefer to see every single Open Space Technology meeting as a chance for a longer term impact, even the development of an Open Space Organization--and I want to have the foundational pieces put in place well. Birgitt Birgitt Williams Make Genuine Contact! Dalar Associates: organizational effectiveness consultants Striving for Success? Ready to exceed your expectations? Contact us for consulting services, training, conference and meeting facilitation, and keynote speaking. www.openspacetechnology.com <http://www.openspacetechnology.com> -Original Message- From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu]On Behalf Of Peggy Holman Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2000 11:52 AM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: Re: Open Space client opportunity Romy, When I read your questions, I was reminded of several messages that Birgitt posted in the early days of the list about ongoing Open Space. I dug around in my archives and here are some wonderful insights into OS organizations from Birgitt: 1. From a message on 9/7/97 What I know about the operating an ongoing Open Space Organization. Please read this and add, edit or anything to challenge my thinking, make it better. a. formal leadership needs to be on board with the concept and supported in learning to manage in a new way. We have had success with taking formal leadership of smaller organizations through a leadership training program that Larry and I have put together, called Open the Space. This is very much about enabling the leader to know
Re: Open Space client opportunity
Romy, When I read your questions, I was reminded of several messages that Birgitt posted in the early days of the list about ongoing Open Space. I dug around in my archives and here are some wonderful insights into OS organizations from Birgitt: 1. From a message on 9/7/97 What I know about the operating an ongoing Open Space Organization. Please read this and add, edit or anything to challenge my thinking, make it better. a. formal leadership needs to be on board with the concept and supported in learning to manage in a new way. We have had success with taking formal leadership of smaller organizations through a leadership training program that Larry and I have put together, called Open the Space. This is very much about enabling the leader to know him/herself, and to know him/herself as a leader looking at risk, vision, community, and management. We also introduce the use of Open Space Technology for the organization. b. formal leadership needs ongoing support so that they don' t shut the "new" organization down because of fear or because of the inability to navigate through chaos. They need to be given the tools to learn to navigate through chaos and to manage in a different way. The way that they need to learn to manage is very much to facilitate, to be a mid-wife, to enable. They need to give attention to Spirit and Story. c. the purpose of the organization needs to be clear, throughout the organization. Where it isn't clear, the organization needs to go through an exercise to see what they are really about. Story is critical here. This is where I have followed Harrison's Noah's Ark version of interviews and have found that it always tells me what I need to know and can in turn validate with the rest of the organization (interview two people at each level of the organization asking "who are we" and "who should we be") d. the "givens" or non-negotiables need to be clear throughout the organization. This involves a series of exercises to determine what the perception of the givens is and then to come to agreement from all of the lists of what they really are for the organizaiton. This results in a lot of "de-mything". It is often fascinating to see what people believe the givens are. Once we know what the givens are, the rest can be agreed upon to be open to wherever it goes in Open Space. A reassessment of the givens needs to happen regularly ie: once a year, to see if anything has changed in this regard. e. Assumptions that people have need to be identified and discussed. If we can get at the assumptions, and help people let go of assumptions that are not useful in their role in the organization, behaviours tend to correct themselves. This also raises awareness, expands consciousness about day to day activities. Again, doing a once a year exercise to look at assumptions is helpful to clear things up that might become troublesome. f. Do a large Open Space once a year in which the issues and opportunities at that time are identified, discussed, focused into a workable plan. g. Do Open Spaces as needed for further clarification of particular issues emergent from the larger one. These Open Spaces can be done in a meeting format face to face, or in an "on-line" meeting. h. Use technology to enable anyone to know when and where a particular Open Space meeting will take place and what the topic is. Reports of the proceedings also to be posted so that anyone and everyone has access to the information and its progress. i. Have an ongoing bulletin board (traditional or on-line) for people to post issues and opportunities to be discussed in Open Space as passion/responsibility emerges over time. The means for sorting out how this is done, how time is given for people to attend, etc. has been different from organization to organization. j. Employee performance reviews (including those of management) need to include a section on problem solving initiatives, on maximizing use of Open Space. k. Measurement for organizational success needs to be altered to higher standards on a number of measures Note: Open Space events and the ongoing Open Space Organization is bounded by the purpose and by the givens. Everything else is open to wonder, imagination, creativity, making of mistakes, having of outstanding breakthroughs and such. Much more successful when things are tied back to the purpose and are clear within the bounds of the givens. The above is what I have been doing with organizations, replicating very successfully with small organizations (average size about 80 staff). And myself successfully managed in this way with an 80 staff, 300 volunteer organization over a period of years, so I know it can be done, and I have a sense of what it takes for the leader to sustain this. 2. From a message on Feb. 20, 1998: We recently had a meeting of the Open Space Institute of Canada meeting. As always the meeting is held in a one day open space. The th
Re: Open Space client opportunity
romy shovelton wrote: > Hi all > > Thanks for your various reponses to my note about examples of blue chip > organisations using OS - including the Guinness drinkers who identified > themselves ! > > My request was because I may have the opportunity to introduce Open Space, > to the multinational leadership group of Diageo (the huge consumer goods > company that was formed from the merger of GrandMet (inc. Pillsbury and > Burger King) and Guinness, 2 1/2 years ago. > > I believe that this has the potential to be a fantastic opportunity to have > a major organisation really take Open Space to heart. > > Having said that, the enquiry is all very new and who knows what might > happen (or not) in practice ie. "whatever happens" > > As I sit here today putting together an outline programme for Diageo (as > requested), I realise that I am not as strong as I might be in myself, in > terms of moving from Open Space events into an on-going Open Space presence > - or in the longer run an Open Space Organisation. The client has said > that they do not want this to be a 'one-off' - more the start of a journey > - which is perfect. And they have asked for thoughts on what the follow-on > or journey might look like. Right now I am feeling that I could be > clearer about what that might be like: in the note I have written so far, > I have been rather vague about what I've called Part2 of the programme. > > Part 1 - "How might we live our leadership promise?" - creating the > fundamentals of a leadership community (2 day Open Space including action > planning and the formation of Action Teams (or some other convergence > activity). I have outlined a potential programme for this event. > Part 2 - building the on-going journey - making this real in our daily > lives > Part 3 - review of our Community - how are we doing ? (in six months time) > > This is what I have suggested so far for Part 2 > > Part 2 - building the on-going journey - making this real in our daily > lives: > We would work with the Design Team to map out this programme in outline > before the first event. The detail can be explored after the event, with > the Design Team and co-ordinators of the various Action Teams. In brief, > we would expect this might include: > > · A practical and effective intranet presence for the leadership community > · Co-ordination of the work of the Action Teams - by the teams themselves, > with central support > · Potential clarification of ways of working identified during the event > · The calling of further face-to-face meetings as necessary - for example > using Open Space Technology to discuss 'hotbutton' issues as they > arise. > > I would love your thoughts on: > > * what are some great ways to make cyberspace work with Open Space? > Although I have known about the effectiveness of the cyberspace-Open Space > mix for years (eg. via TMN and the work of Doug Carmichael and others)... I > have not yet put such a thing into practice myself and therefore feel > somewhat vulnerable on this. I would like to be prepared to be intensely > practical with the folks at Diageo. While I can read of the services of > Caucus and TASC.. it is also a question of how the use of such > technologies is integrated with the face-to-face opening of space, and how > to encourage senior folks to engage with such technologies etc. If you have > any advice to offer on the brilliant use of cyberspace, I'd love to hear > it. > > * what other mechanisms/ processes might you suggest for supporting a > continuation of the journey after the first Open Space event? Again I feel > that I need to be more specific that saying "they can call an Open Space, > when the issues come up". As I write this, it sounds a little as though I > am not quite 'trusting the process' - which feels weird, having been a > champion for OS for so long? And.. I would really welcome some > practical thoughts from colleagues. > > so... in anticipation of more OSLIST wisdom > > thanks from > > Romy Romy-- I appreciate (this time it's) your willingness to be vulnerable and share your concern about moving to the next step with this potential client. While I have not yet had the opportunity you have to go to this next phase, what occurs to me is that Phase 2 would be another open space event that gives them the opportunity to design what needs to be in place for them to go about "building the on-going journey - making this real in [their] daily lives." What you could discuss with the client ahead of time are topics they might expect to arise, remembering that "whatever happens is..." If they are truly wanting to become an open space organization and live it in their daily lives, what better way to determine how to do that than in an open space. Hope this helps. BJ * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of os
Re: Open Space client opportunity
Message text written by OSLIST > At the risk of a little self-service -- you might want to check out the latest hho special -- The Power of Spirit. Open Space takes a back seat to transformation in Organizations (my true love) -- and particularly what happens after a GREAT meeting. I am not sure how to get you a copy instantly -- but I can try. I know that it has gotten through the printers and is now ready for distribution. < H that would be simply fab'.. if we can swing it, I'd LURVE to see is SOON... It will also be great for me in putting together first thoughts on the October workshop thanks Romy * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html === osl...@egroups.com To subscribe, 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign up -- provide an email address, and choose a login ID and password 3. Click on "Subscribe" and follow the instructions To unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@egroups.com: 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign in and Proceed
Re: Open Space client opportunity
hi romy, two ideas... #1. i have for some time framed open space as a practice in invitation, and one that cascades from the first invitation (to gather), to the 'invitations to meet' that participants post on the wall in the first event, to the 'invitations to action' they document in each session's proceedings, to the next round of 'invitations to gather'... in closing circles i am usually reminding folks that all of this good stuff they're thanking each other for was started with one invitation... and this is a concept that folks in all kinds of organizations have told me really works for them. i also talk about inviting as being a way to straddle the space, balance the tension, between achievement and spirit. want to be inspired but not be and achivement. gotta do achievemnt, can't do spirit. can DO and BE inviting, both personally and collectively in org. to me this is a bridge. also talk about 'post and host' as a way to be beyond 'command and control'. finally, i think harrison has already mentioned it earlier (though for a different story?), but my two favorite stories from tales from open space are birgitt's and lloyd keplers, both heading in the direction of open space orgs. #2. second, re: cyberstuff, leslie d'agostino at lucent has had great experiences with participants creating their own websites to post and follow up on proceedings documentation/action. i haven't done one myself, but i would think it'd be simple enought to make one page for the top vote-getting topics and then link those to pages with lists of all topics associated with those topics, then linked to all notes from those sessions. also a page with all topics linked to the notes for each. they're not as tech'd out as lucent, probably, but surely they've got some internal tech folks who might help a bit? hope this helps, michael -- Michael Herman ...inviting results in evolving organizations Michael Herman Associates 300 West North Avenue #1105 Chicago IL 60610 312-280-7838 voice/fax mailto:mher...@globalchicago.net The Global Chicago Network http://www.globalchicago.net Michael Herman Associates http://www.globalchicago.net/mha Worldwide Open Space Website http://www.openspaceworld.org romy shovelton wrote: > > Hi all > > Thanks for your various reponses to my note about examples of blue chip > organisations using OS - including the Guinness drinkers who identified > themselves ! > > My request was because I may have the opportunity to introduce Open Space, > to the multinational leadership group of Diageo (the huge consumer goods > company that was formed from the merger of GrandMet (inc. Pillsbury and > Burger King) and Guinness, 2 1/2 years ago. > > I believe that this has the potential to be a fantastic opportunity to have > a major organisation really take Open Space to heart. > > Having said that, the enquiry is all very new and who knows what might > happen (or not) in practice ie. "whatever happens" > > As I sit here today putting together an outline programme for Diageo (as > requested), I realise that I am not as strong as I might be in myself, in > terms of moving from Open Space events into an on-going Open Space presence > - or in the longer run an Open Space Organisation. The client has said > that they do not want this to be a 'one-off' - more the start of a journey > - which is perfect. And they have asked for thoughts on what the follow-on > or journey might look like. Right now I am feeling that I could be > clearer about what that might be like: in the note I have written so far, > I have been rather vague about what I've called Part2 of the programme. > > Part 1 - "How might we live our leadership promise?" - creating the > fundamentals of a leadership community (2 day Open Space including action > planning and the formation of Action Teams (or some other convergence > activity). I have outlined a potential programme for this event. > Part 2 - building the on-going journey - making this real in our daily > lives > Part 3 - review of our Community - how are we doing ? (in six months time) > > This is what I have suggested so far for Part 2 > > Part 2 - building the on-going journey - making this real in our daily > lives: > We would work with the Design Team to map out this programme in outline > before the first event. The detail can be explored after the event, with > the Design Team and co-ordinators of the various Action Teams. In brief, > we would expect this might include: > > · A practical and effective intranet presence for the leadership community > · Co-ordination of the work of the Action Teams - by the teams themselves, > with central support > · Potential clarification of ways of working identified during the event > · The calling of further face-to-face meetings as necessary - for example > using Open Space Technology to discuss 'hotbutton' issues as they > arise. > > I would love your thoughts on: > > * what are some great ways to m
Re: Open Space client opportunity
At 05:53 PM 7/17/00 -0400, you wrote: Hi all As I sit here today putting together an outline programme for Diageo (as requested), I realise that I am not as strong as I might be in myself, in terms of moving from Open Space events into an on-going Open Space presence - or in the longer run an Open Space Organisation. The client has said that they do not want this to be a 'one-off' - more the start of a journey - which is perfect. And they have asked for thoughts on what the follow-on or journey might look like. Right now I am feeling that I could be clearer about what that might be like: in the note I have written so far, I have been rather vague about what I've called Part2 of the programme. At the risk of a little self-service -- you might want to check out the latest hho special -- The Power of Spirit. Open Space takes a back seat to transformation in Organizations (my true love) -- and particularly what happens after a GREAT meeting. I am not sure how to get you a copy instantly -- but I can try. I know that it has gotten through the printers and is now ready for distribution. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 USA phone 301-469-9269 Summer Phone 207-763-3261 fax 301-983-9314 website www.mindspring.com/~owenhh Open Space Institute website www.openspaceworld.org
