Sorry if you get this twice – I posted it a few hours ago, and it hasn’t shown up . . . I believe the OSList was sending to an inactive account . . . Hopefully this one will fly :-)
Greetings folks . . . Below is today’s posting to my blog HYPERLINK "http://www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com/"http://www.creatingspaces.blogspot. com – One of the questions during this event was whether there has been good “accounting” or reporting of Open Space events worldwide. I know there is some . . . but I also know that there are 1000s of OS events happening around the world with little documentation . . . Here’s one . . . Wishing everyone the best! b Open Space - Expect to be SURPRISED! Thursday, I opened space for the MBA program I referenced in my last post. Self-preparation for opening these "small spaces" turns out to be more "difficult" for me. Finding personal focus and center is more of a challenge when the "event" happens in the midst of an otherwise tumultuous schedule (Real estate business). The larger Open Space events typically "own" the entire day allowing me more "control" over the "noise" around me. I did what anyone would do - Made the best of what I had. I had prepared my posters and time matrix the day prior and had assembled all of the"tools" for the event, so all I really needed to do was to collect my thoughts and my peace so as to be able to present with confidence. I was actually more nervous than I have EVER been as I drove to the School . . . Feeling less prepared . . . and having some trepidation with the fact that I was not immersed in the full meaning of the Theme. I had only been contacted to do this 3 days prior and only knew the theme 48 hours prior. There was little time for preparation. My only saving mantra was: "With a good Heart and a good head, anyone can open space . . . and it ALWAYS works." The unique ingredient present for these OS events in the "academic world" is that the participants are present more to actually assess/evaluate the process than to "engage" in the Theme. My "challenge" is to present a safe enough environment in my 20 minute opening to shift that energy from assessment to engagement . . . and then to hold the space for the remaining 30 minutes to give them time to find some level of immersion so as to cultivate a field for emergent "REAL" issues and opportunities related to the theme. I have gambled 3 times now that it would work . . . and 3 times, I have been validated with amazing results. When I arrived at the school (11:00 AM) the professor met me and said that the room still had another class in it - We went to his office and sat for @ 15 minutes and talked . . . This was my "shifting" time from Real Estate to Open Space. I felt myself finding focus very quickly. It was just what I needed. At 11:15, we walked down to the room . . . The students from the class before were just beginning to leave the room. The room was very full of tables/chairs in rows . . . I began hanging my posters while the professor engaged the incoming students in the task of "undoing the room." In a short 5 minutes, the physical space had been fully prepared with 45 chairs in a perfect circle and all the pertinent posters arranged around the room . . . At 11:22, all of the students were seated in the circle and we began the opening . . . SEVEN MINUTES to prepare the space - WOW! I found my "flow" quickly in the opening. The energy in the room was good. It was apparent to me that this was "just another class" for the participants and that there was really no expectation that there would be any benefit derived for them other than to witness the process (Open Space Technology). Attention was high in the sense that I felt that they were listening and understanding. When it came time for the students topost their issues and opportunities relating to the Theme "The Role and Integration of International Students in the School" there was VERY little movement towards the center of the circle. One student posted a topic - Led to another . . . and then "an International Student" stood and came to center and explained his issue very passionately . . . He was then followed by a series of other International Students with equally passionate issues. The Marketplace opened and sessions began . . . We only had @ 15 minutes for sessions because the posting period took longer than I expected . . . and it took the group @ 5 minutes to sort iself into 6 groups . . . 15 minutes of passionate discussion - I saw butterflies AND bumblebees . . . All the components were present. And I rang the bells for "Evening News." Everyone returned to the circle, and we had some AHAs . . . Turns out, there were several real issues identified in that short period of time . . . and there were connections made which were sure to result in continued dialogue after the class. I was asked to comment on the session: "Was this normal? Seems there were fewer postings than everyone expected, but the results were VERY passionate and meaningful dialogue." If there had been a different topic, would there have been more "success" in terms of more topics posted? My reflection was that this Theme was a "sleeper" . . . a "Dead Moose Topic" for the school and that I believe the conversation has never been given "Appropriate space"- The International Students are naturally more "reserved" . . . There are/were many real issues which have not been "aired" because, in fact, the integration of the International students (While considered to be EXTREMELY important to the faculty and administration) was woefully inadequate. At the conclusion of the class, we had 5 minutes to "re-do" the room for the next class. I took the posters down while the participants rearranged the furniture. there was NO time for closure . . . BUT . . . As I was walking out the door, 2 students approached me and announced themselves as the 2 student Leaders of International Relations for the school. They had both just happened to have been members of this class and had participated and listened passionately. They thanked me for the opportunity and told me that they had identified 3 "initiatives" which they were going to implement immediately. So I say again EXPECT TO BE SURPRISED! These students expected to witness a "Change Management Facilitation Process for Large Group Self-Organization" and what they got is that PLUS a new direction for the International Student Integration into the school . . . In EXACTLY 90 minutes. I am not "consulting" for/with this school, so it is not likely I will hear how things will play out . . . but I do know that I will again be invited for another small open Space for the Spring Class . . . and we'll tackle another pertinent Theme for the school. Not every Open Space "Practitioner" is an advocate for "small spaces" because of the limitations of the space. A compressed period of time does not "allow" for maturity of the space and the result is less likely to yield "lasting change." My argument would be more along the lines that assuming there are potential issues and opportunities (emergent, latent, or obvious), a little Open Space is better than no open Space . . . because it DOES offer breath and creates the possibility of new connections and community . . . My next "official" Opening of Space will be for my own company. We'll do a full day to explore issues and opportunities around our up-coming move to a new (LARGE) office space and dealing with our recent growth . . . and strategizing for future growth in the Middle Tennessee market. Best, b Barry Owen HYPERLINK "http://www.theowengroup.net"http://www.theowengroup.net Also . . . if you know of anyone (friend, family, work associate) in need of help with real estate, please give me a call. I LOVE referrals and treat them like royalty :-) Website HYPERLINK "http://www.theowengroup.net"www.theowengroup.net Visit my BLOG @ HYPERLINK "http://creatingspaces.blogspot.com/"http://creatingspaces.blogspot.com/ Barry Owen Principal Broker The Owen Group Keller Williams Realty - Green Hills Market Center 2209 Crestmoor Road Ste 210 Nashville, TN 37215 Direct - 615.568.2123 Toll Free 866.375.0965 Fax - 615.523.2462 Keller Williams Realty is a learning-based Training & Consulting Company supporting our Real Estate Professionals by offering business models, systems, tools, & support to Build Careers Worth Having, Businesses Worth Owning, and Lives worth living . . . We are THE fastest growing, most innovative real estate company in America. Check us out @ HYPERLINK "http://www.theowengroup.net/"www.theowengroup.net OR HYPERLINK "http://www.geocities.com/barryo.geo"www.geocities.com/barryo.geo -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. 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