On the subject of divergence/convergence -- I believe that BOTH occur through out the time in Open space, although the one (divergence is most in evidence at the beginning and the other (convergence) at the end. This is true whether or not you do something formally to converge issues at the conclusion. At the beginning -- there is a broad divergence as issues are identified, but then there is a very marked convergence around specific issues in each of the groups -- then outward again at evening news etc. Point is that both convergence and divergence take place normally and naturally during the open space process, even as they do in life. Sometimes more of one, and sometimes more of the other, but both are present. Sort of like breathing. in and out. And you can just do one for very long. Anyhow, for me it is important to see both, and surely not to fell that open space is only divergence. That would be like breathing out all the time, which we call expiration. the results are not quite what one had in mind.
At 10:41 PM 11/1/98 -0500, you wrote: >>>> To date, whenever possible, as do some other OS folks, I negotiate to do a "convergence" exercise at the end of Open Space. I had taken to describing what happened in Open Space as divergent, and then followed by a convergent time. I wrestled with whether or not to "close" the space at the end of the day or two in "real" Open Space prior to the convergence and have in fact done this and then another closing at the end of the whole thing. It worked fine. When I have worked with Harrison, he disagreed. He was clear that the whole thing fit together and that one didn't need to "close" the space until the end. I just couldn't wrap my logical mind around that one. Anyway, to make a long story short, I think he's right (can I believe I just said that?). In the last OS I did, I did not use the words "divergent" and "convergent". Instead, I described to the group that what we did when we posted items was to capture individual passion/responsibility. What we did when we broke into the discussion groups was to capture smaller group passion/responsibility. What we did when we met as a collective for the purpose of determining what we had the most energy for at this time, was to capture the organization's passion/responsibility. And each built from the other, evolved from the other, interacted with the other. No one more or less important than the other. And then when we were all done with as much as we could do with awakening to our full passion and responsibility with a view to action, also in an evolving way, WE closed the space. And had a sense together of "stay tuned for the next episode". Hungry for action, and for more Open Space. I liked this. And hope it interests your thinking. Warmest regards, Birgitt Birgitt Bolton of Dalar Associates www.openspacetechnology.com 55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario, Canada L9G 2E8 phone: 905-648-5775 fax: 905-648-2262 <<<<
