Thank you for the great reflections on illusions and leading change. Having read such wonderful thinking about that subject, thought I'd bring up a completely different issue I've been mulling lately.
It has to do with the ways in which the pre-work for opening a space affects what takes place during and after. I have a specific situation that raised a general question for me. I'll offer both. The general question is what affects the nature of the space that is opened? A little background Preparing for an OS runs the spectrum for me. I've had great OS's that began with a short conversation with one person in which the theme was formed in minutes: "the issues and opportunities for x". At the other end of the spectrum, the theme is developed by a group that is a microcosm of the people involved and weeks of deep reflection are used to frame the theme and the aspirations for what is possible. Harrison has said that a space opens the moment the conversation about it begins. He also says OS always works. I believe both of these to be true. What may vary is the quality of the space. I think perhaps the quality of a space may be a bit like tasting a wine. For most of us, it's tough to tell the quality because our palettes simply aren't trained enough. The more I do OS, the more I do notice there are big differences in the spirit of the space. So what makes the difference? And what role does the preparation for opening the space play in this difference? The specific situation that prompts the question I am involved in convening a group of experienced OS practitioners with the idea of creating an ongoing learning community. (You'll hear more on this very soon.) There are two different approaches that have been suggested for getting started. One is simple: pick a date and place and issue the invitation. No convener or a co-convenor. Or rather, everyone is a convenor. If there is energy for more, it will happen. The other end of the spectrum is based on observing what is happening with something called Spirited Work. In essence, it's a learning community that gathers 4 times a year -- once a season -- to examine "Spirited Work". The group meets in Open Space and uses the 4 archetypes (Warrior, Healer, Visionary, Teacher) from Angeles Arrien's The Fourfold Way as it's framework. This was originally convened by 4 people who gave quite a bit of thought to what they were doing, what it meant to them and what their aspirations for it were. They've begun their third year and this is the finest space I've ever been part of! The group is a mix of folks who have been involved since the beginning and some who are just experiencing OS for the first time. The questions are rich, the conversations deep, the energy of the space quite profoundly rich in spirit. It is also a permeable space as this group has really come to understand that we live in OS all the time. This quarterly gathering is simply part of a larger flow. My instinct is part of what has shaped the quality of this space is the care that was taken in creating it by the 4 original holders of the space. They went into it hoping to create something nutrient and infused that quality from the beginning. I think there is also something about having 4 co-convenors made a difference. The space started multi-faceted and collaborative. So, as I contemplate beginning something that has the potential for ongoing life, these two approaches might lead to very different spaces. Or not. What do you think? Peggy P.S. I've copied Anne Stadler and Peter Donaldson since they are among the 4 co-convenors of Spirited Work, so wanted them in this question. _________________________ Peggy Holman The Open Circle Company 15347 SE 49th Place Bellevue, WA 98006 425.746.6274 425.865.8168 (fax) * * ========================================================== 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