Great stories. One bit of coaching wisdom from my partner Caitlin Frost: when you find yourself quick to provide advice to groups of people keep quiet and write that advice down for yourself.
If we are really doing work to address topics that we don't know how to address otherwise, then there is no way we as facilitators can make an intervention that will result in better quality than the group making its own decisions. If you think otherwise, then it was probably wrong to choose open space in the first place. None of us alone are brilliant enough to know how we should solve intractable problems. So trust the group and hold the space for them to find their way. Harrison has said it before and I agree: forget about trusting the process; trust the people. I don't believe that open space technology is the only method for addressing problems that groups and organizations and communities face. But there are good reasons for doing it and if you discern these and choose it, use it. Chris -- CHRIS CORRIGAN Harvest Moon Consultants Facilitation, Open Space Technology and process design Check www.chriscorrigan.com for upcoming workshops, blog posts and free resources. > On Jan 30, 2015, at 7:02 AM, Peggy Holman via OSList > <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: > > Just read through this thread. I have a real story of almost as many sessions > as participants that illustrates much of the wise counsel in this exchange. > It was a small group, about a dozen people on the last morning of a 3-day > gathering. Over the previous days, they had heard the sort of message others > have mentioned about not combining sessions and that ultimately the choice > belongs to the conveners. > > I had just invited people to post for a single round focused on taking > action. Virtually everyone posted something. With about 10 topics for twelve > people, they sat in the circle and asked themselves "what should we do?" They > started analyzing the situation, discussing different ways to handle it. It > occurred to me that they were using their precious time on the last day > talking ABOUT how to organize rather than going to their sessions. > > So I said to them, "just go to the wall and you'll figure it out." They did. > Within a minute, they had grouped the offerings into three sessions and > headed to their rooms for the conversations. There was nothing overtly > logical about their groupings. I'm not sure they could tell you their > rationale for how they organized them. But it worked. > > Peggy Holman > 425-746-6274 > Sent from my iPad > >> On Jan 30, 2015, at 3:43 AM, Michael M Pannwitz via OSList >> <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >> >> Dear John, >> >> you write: >> >> "...Yes you could leave it, but really I think that is too many issues to >> really be productive. Will people self organise and have the most >> productive conversations they can?..." >> >> This is what came to my mind: >> >> "Can there be too many issues for folks to be productive?" >> >> "Can people selforganise without having the most productive conversation for >> themselves?" >> >> And here some snips of my experiences around what I assume we are talking >> about: >> >> When participants listen to the issues of others I felt that this listening >> would "filter" duplicates. Often, however, I noticed that almost identical >> or only slightly different issues were posted. That sometimes had the effect >> that the first person that offered the issue suggested combining the new >> similar issue with the one posted first. Sometimes this was agreed to and at >> other times it was not. This was another puzzle for me to occupy myself with. >> >> Then, I had the fortune of facilitating an os-event where folks spoke a >> language I did not understand. Experiencing, how that "reduced" me to what I >> now consider to be closer to my real tasks as an os-facilitator I began to >> stop listening to the content of issues and increasingly got disattached >> more and more from content (mind you, I am still grappling with it). >> >> And here some preliminary thoughts on a possible background for all this, >> even though it reads quite a bit like "dogma" on second reading: >> >> One of my little assumptions regarding the "effectiveness" especially of >> os-facilitation (in contrast to other modes of facilitation that I busied >> myself with for decades of OD work) is practicing what I espouse as a fact >> of life I claim to have understood: There is nothing as effective and (add >> your own adjectives) as selforganisation. Or, stepping aside, abandoning >> control, etc. is the best invitation for the awesome force of >> selforganisation to do its thing. >> >> And this thought also is entereing my mind: All this has nothing to do with >> trusting the participants or the process or the system. For some reason it >> takes me outside the hierarchical implications of "trusting" which satisfies >> my penchant for freedom, a bit. >> >> Have a great weekend >> Greetings from Berlin >> >> mmp >> >> >> >>> On 30.01.2015 08:30, John Baxter via OSList wrote: >>> Having now read through, Harrison has clearly already looked in that >>> direction (and identified 'listening' as a priority)... : ) >>> >>> >>> I think the "what would you do?" question is still really interesting, >>> if faced with such an abundance of issues. When it might be too late to >>> go back and hold a differently shaped space. >>> >>> Yes you could leave it, but really I think that is too many issues to >>> really be productive. Will people self organise and have the most >>> productive conversations they can? I think if they have put that many >>> topics up, perhaps not... >>> >>> The textbook facilitation training of illuminating the pattern for >>> others might be enough of an intervention? It might not be the best, >>> but it is what I would do... >>> >>> "/Well, I see here we have very many topics. More than I expected!/ >>> /With this many topics, most people will be in very small discussion >>> groups./ >>> /It might be hard for people to attend the discussions that they want, >>> because there are so many to choose from./ >>> /Keep in mind, by posting a topic, you are accepting responsibility to >>> hold a conversation on something that you are passionate about./ >>> / >>> / >>> /It is up to you to choose what to do next, there are a few things that >>> might help you to have the best conversations that you need.../ >>> /- you don't need to attend your own session/ >>> /- you can remove your own session (but not those of anybody else!)/ >>> /- you can work with others to combine sessions, or fold your own >>> session into theirs.../ >>> >>> /Feel free to use your imagination!/" >>> >>> Something like that. >>> >>> Having had my own session(s) forcibly joined with another, it is not >>> something I ever plan to do to others. >>> >>> >>> Cheers >>> >>> >>> */John Baxter/* >>> /Cocreation Consultant & CoCreate Adelaide Facilitator/ >>> jsbaxter.com.au <http://www.jsbaxter.com.au/> | CoCreateADL.com >>> <http://CoCreateADL.com> >>> 0405 447 829 >>> | >>> @jsbaxter_ <http://twitter.com/jsbaxter_> >>> >>> /Thank you to everyone who came, helped or spread the good word about >>> *City Grill*!/ >>> /Summary and links: cocreateadl.com/localgov/grill-summary/ >>> <http://cocreateadl.com/localgov/grill-summary/>/ >>> >>> >>> On Fri, Jan 30, 2015 at 5:42 PM, John Baxter <j...@jsbaxter.com.au >>> <mailto:j...@jsbaxter.com.au>> wrote: >>> >>> I haven't read through to the end of the thread, but before the >>> thoughts escape me... >>> >>> How on earth did you get that many topics to begin with? >>> >>> It does not help to work out what to do when you have them, but is >>> there something about the way the space was introduced that led to >>> an impracticably large number of issues? >>> >>> I agree with others to trust in the process, but it only works when >>> the participants understand it well enough to make informed >>> decisions about >>> - whether and how and what to post a topic about >>> - whether and how to combine topics >>> - in general, how to make informed decisions >>> >>> To self organise effectively, people need to understand what it >>> means to propose a topic (host a discussion), the implications of >>> their actions (being unable to attend other topics at the same time, >>> and having others who are at other topics unable to attend theirs), >>> etc. etc. >>> >>> If I was a participant and I understood the nature of the gathering, >>> at least the essentials, I would NOT add another issue once we had >>> reached more than about 20. And in my experience, others wouldn't >>> either! >>> >>> That is the direction I would be looking >>> >>> >>> */John Baxter/* >>> /Cocreation Consultant & CoCreate Adelaide Facilitator/ >>> jsbaxter.com.au <http://www.jsbaxter.com.au/> | CoCreateADL.com >>> <http://CoCreateADL.com> >>> 0405 447 829 >>> | >>> @jsbaxter_ <http://twitter.com/jsbaxter_> >>> >>> /Thank you to everyone who came, helped or spread the good word >>> about *City Grill*!/ >>> /Summary and links: cocreateadl.com/localgov/grill-summary/ >>> <http://cocreateadl.com/localgov/grill-summary/>/ >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Jan 29, 2015 at 3:54 AM, Chris Corrigan via OSList >>> <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote: >>> >>> Bang on accurate John! >>> >>> -- >>> CHRIS CORRIGAN >>> Harvest Moon Consultants >>> Facilitation, Open Space Technology and process design >>> >>> Check www.chriscorrigan.com <http://www.chriscorrigan.com> for >>> upcoming workshops, blog posts and free resources. >>> >>> >>> >>>> On Jan 28, 2015, at 8:54 AM, John Watkins via OSList >>> <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Chris, >>>> >>>> So it sounds to me as though you are saying something like >>> the framing of purpose and the tying together of harvest (to >>> build on what Jeff said) are what help all the micro >>> conversations to contribute usefully to the necessary diversity >>> of ways of thinking that create oblique views in order to be >>> able to address complex problems effectively. Is that accurate? >>>> >>>> John >>>> >>>>> On Jan 28, 2015, at 8:47 AM, Chris Corrigan via OSList wrote: >>>>> >>>>> You can get a lot of work done with two or three people >>> diving into a topic together even while there are three or four >>> similar topics being addressed. >>>>> >>>>> Dealing with complex issues requires taking an oblique view >>> of a problem and coming at it from different angles. It is >>> really good strategy to do this. 60 topics for 70 people could >>> be excellent >>>>> >>>>> What matters is your strategic architecture for following >>> up. What is the purpose of these micro conversations and what >>> will you do tho them. Perhaps having THAT clarity helps people >>> relax with the volume of topics. >>>>> >>>>> Chris >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> CHRIS CORRIGAN >>>>> Harvest Moon Consultants >>>>> Facilitation, Open Space Technology and process design >>>>> >>>>> Check www.chriscorrigan.com <http://www.chriscorrigan.com> >>> for upcoming workshops, blog posts and free resources. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> On Jan 27, 2015, at 9:51 PM, NigelSeys-Phillips via OSList >>> <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Michael >>>>>> >>>>>> I have been actively wondering about this recently and >>> after a really >>>>>> interesting OS two weeks ago with a local bank I appreciate >>> for your >>>>>> thoughts >>>>>> In a couple of recent events - with the "issues and >>> opportunities" in the >>>>>> title and the invitation to raise any issues or topics the >>> participants feel >>>>>> strongly about - I have found myself (well, with >>> assistance) almost 'forced' >>>>>> to combine as mathematically there were just too many! >>>>>> With three sessions available and some 70 people we were >>> well above the 60 >>>>>> odd issues....20 plus breakout groups per session....? >>>>>> >>>>>> I know, I know - stand back and let them sort it out...but >>> with 'new' groups >>>>>> and a day what have others done? >>>>>> My fear is allocating every single topic a breakout space >>> and 20+ groups per >>>>>> session the fragmented nature would mean limited results.... >>>>>> >>>>>> I know, I know - stand back and trust the system. >>>>>> I am trying (I totally do trust the system which is what I >>> love about it) >>>>>> but it's hard >>>>>> >>>>>> And I really would welcome anybody's thoughts - what do I >>> do next time? >>>>>> >>>>>> Best regards from a hot and steamy Malaysia >>>>>> >>>>>> Nigel >>>>>> >>>>>> Nigel Seys-Phillips >>>>>> Fulcrum Business Management Solutions >>>>>> Tel: +65 9639 2510 <tel:%2B65%209639%202510> >>>>>> E-mail: ni...@fulcrum.com.sg <mailto:ni...@fulcrum.com.sg> >>>>>> www.fulcrum.com.sg <http://www.fulcrum.com.sg> >>>>>> >>>>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE >>>>>> >>>>>> This communication contains information which is >>> confidential and may also >>>>>> be priveleged. It is for the exclusive use of the intended >>> recipient(s). If >>>>>> you are not the intended recipient(s) please note that any >>> distribution, >>>>>> copying or use of this communication or the information in >>> it is strictly >>>>>> prohibited. If you have received this communication in >>> error please notify >>>>>> us by return e-mail and then delete the e-mail and any >>> copies of it. >>>>>> >>>>>> Warning - Although Fulcrum has taken reasonable precautions >>> to ensure no >>>>>> viruses are present in this e-mail, we cannot accept >>> responsibility for any >>>>>> loss or damage arising from the use of this e-mail or its >>> attachments. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>> From: OSList [mailto:oslist-boun...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist-boun...@lists.openspacetech.org>] On Behalf Of >>>>>> Michael M Pannwitz via OSList >>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, 27 January 2015 6:55 PM >>>>>> To: Susan Partnow; World wide Open Space Technology email list >>>>>> Subject: Re: [OSList] Anticipating number of topics/sessions... >>>>>> >>>>>> Dear Susan, >>>>>> >>>>>> yes, thats my feeling too, 15 to 20 breakout spaces for 30 >>> to 40 issues. >>>>>> >>>>>> Jeffs response on "combining or abandoning" topics got me >>> to reflect on >>>>>> the word "topic". From work wayback with structured >>> brainstorming I >>>>>> remember a group of 25 "generating" between 30 to 50 topics. >>>>>> >>>>>> With os crowds and my use of the word "issue" (with talking >>> a bit about >>>>>> what is meant with "issue" in contrast to "topic or idea or >>> something I >>>>>> am interested in", mentioning passion, urgency etc.) I find >>> that there >>>>>> was decreasing tendency of combining or abolishing. >>> Actually, when >>>>>> someone suggested to combine issues I would suggest in a >>> very low-key >>>>>> way that this was not illegal and add something like: What >>> might look >>>>>> and sound very similar often turns out to be different in >>> an important way. >>>>>> >>>>>> As a participant I have become quite uncomfortable, >>> irritated or even >>>>>> foaming when I had a facilitator go to the Bulleting Board >>> and "cluster" >>>>>> stuff... turning into a space invador. My reaction, I >>> suppose, got me to >>>>>> be cautious with "combining". >>>>>> >>>>>> How is your take on the impact of the "words" we use? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Cheers and good luck with a very short event! >>>>>> >>>>>> mmp >>>>>> >>>>>>> On 26.01.2015 22:59, Susan Partnow via OSList wrote: >>>>>>> Hello dear OSers... I am planning a very short OS here in >>> Seattle at the >>>>>>> WOW (Women of Wisdom) conference - Sunday afternoon, Feb >>> 15 - and trying >>>>>>> to call the rule of thumb for anticipating the likely >>> number of sessions >>>>>>> to plan for - We have two brief OS times and expect ~100 >>> participants. >>>>>>> Any educated guesses as we plan for delineating break out >>> spaces? Thanks! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> Susan Partnow >>>>>>> Sr. Certified Facilitator, Compassionate Listening >>>>>>> Founding Director, Global Citizen Journey >>>>>>> 4425 Baker Ave NW >>>>>>> Seattle, WA 98107 >>>>>>> tel. 206-783-8561 <tel:206-783-8561> >>>>>>> fax 206-782-7786 <tel:206-782-7786> >>>>>>> www.globalcitizenjourney.org >>> <http://www.globalcitizenjourney.org> >>> <http://www.globalcitizenjourney.org> >>>>>>> Join our mailing list >>>>>>> >>>>>>> www.susanpartnow.com <http://www.susanpartnow.com> >>> <http://www.susanpartnow.com> Partnow >>>>>>> Communications, Organizational Development & Workshops >>>>>>> >>>>>>> www.conversationcafe.org <http://www.conversationcafe.org> >>> <http://www.conversationcafe.org> Co-Founder >>>>>>> www.compassionatelistening.org >>> <http://www.compassionatelistening.org> >>> <http://www.compassionatelistening.org> >>>>>>> Certified Facilitator and Core Council >>>>>>> www.thataway.org <http://www.thataway.org> >>> <http://www.thataway.org> National Coalition on >>>>>>> Dialogue & Deliberation Advisor >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>>>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:OSList@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Michael M Pannwitz >>>>>> Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany >>>>>> ++49 - 30-772 8000 <tel:%2B%2B49%20-%2030-772%208000> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Check out the Open Space World Map presently showing 403 >>> resident Open >>>>>> Space Workers in 69 countries working in a total of 143 >>> countries >>>>>> worldwide: www.openspaceworldmap.org >>> <http://www.openspaceworldmap.org> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:OSList@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:OSList@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:OSList@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> OSList mailing list >>>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:OSList@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org> >>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:OSList@lists.openspacetech.org> >>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> <mailto:oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org> >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >> >> -- >> Michael M Pannwitz >> Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany >> ++49 - 30-772 8000 >> >> >> >> Check out the Open Space World Map presently showing 403 resident Open Space >> Workers in 69 countries working in a total of 143 countries worldwide: >> www.openspaceworldmap.org >> _______________________________________________ >> OSList mailing list >> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list > To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org > To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org _______________________________________________ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
