I just received a great note from Larry Peterson in response to my comments about "technology" a la Open Space. The strange part is that somebody seems to think it is SPAM and then sent it to me -- and it wasn't posted on the OSLIST. Don't have a clue what it is all about, but maybe the SPAM maven at Boise State needs to be alerted -- and for sure you will enjoy (benefit from) Larry's comments.
Harrison -----Original Message----- From: owner-osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu [mailto:owner-osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 1:43 PM Subject: version=3.1.7 X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.7 (2006-10-05) on listserv.boisestate.edu Approved-By: Larry Peterson <la...@spiritedorg.com> Message-ID: <000001c714a8$cec2c280$3cd15d41@LARRYP01> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:56:03 -0500 Reply-To: OSLIST <osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu> Sender: OSLIST <osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu> Comments: RFC822 error: <W> MESSAGE-ID field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. From: Larry Peterson <la...@spiritedorg.com> Subject: Re: Open Space TECHNOLOGY???? To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu In-Reply-To: <001d01c713bc$f61529f0$6400a8c0@harrison> Precedence: list List-Help: <http://listserv.boisestate.edu/cgi-bin/wa?LIST=OSLIST>, <mailto:lists...@listserv.boisestate.edu?body=INFO OSLIST> List-Unsubscribe: <mailto:oslist-unsubscribe-requ...@listserv.boisestate.edu> List-Subscribe: <mailto:oslist-subscribe-requ...@listserv.boisestate.edu> List-Owner: <mailto:oslist-requ...@listserv.boisestate.edu> List-Archive: <http://listserv.boisestate.edu/cgi-bin/wa?LIST=OSLIST> Harrison You discovered Open Space Technology as a particular technique for "opening a space", for creating the conditions for self-organization. I have no trouble with "Technology" or technique in the name. Nor with "Open Space" but I think the two terms are confusing for some. I find that many use the term "Open Space" to mean a lot more. Because many do not like the term "Technology" it gets left off most of the time in both common and professional use. It leads many folks to call the technology "Open Space" and also call any effort to open a space by the same name. You can open a space buy asking questions or using some of the Principles and Law. So that muddles things a bit in how it is described and understood, particularly by those who are new to it. I believe that there are some critical elements to the "technology", as you discovered it, that from my perspective, lead to its best use. For, example, sitting in a circle, the sponsors framing, no long speeches by the facilitator but a few words while walking (literally and sometimes figuratively bounding) the circle. Engaging passion and responsibility (including recording what happens) are critical. The empty wall and chaos at the wall are important parts. The Principles and Law are the "new rules/schemata" that enhance spirited self-organization and they need to be clearly "invoked". Recording, Closing circle etc. To me, these basic elements of the Technology are stated in the User's Guide (and need to be in the next version). And when many of these elements are not used, or there is not enough time to really "open" I don't call what I am facilitating Open Space Technology or Open Space. I find that a number of people call what they do "Open Space" -- coaches, facilitators, etc. -- when it is definitely not using the Technology to create the conditions for collective self-organization. Opening a Space with the Principles and Law can happen in every day interaction and it can inform (transcend and include) some other techniques (Andrew and I are still working on the fishbowl article). I think this "muddle" just is, but it can be confusing for some and reduce the quality of of some OST events because the power of the "technology" you discovered for collective process is not used. I certainly have experienced the power of personally learning to open space in my life and work. For groups and particularly organizations to learn to do it regularly, it takes practice. OS Technology is a way to practice with groups of people. Personal meditation and yoga are two ways to practice being personally open. So is opening and holding the space in OST events a personal practice -- as Chris points out in his book. Hopefully this does more than add to the muddle. Larry Larry Peterson Associates in Transformation Toronto, ON, Canada 416.653.4829 la...@spiritedorg.com www.spiritedorg.com * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
