May 19, 2009
Last week I was in Leavenworth, WA for a learning conference, Leadership in a Self-Organizing World. Berkana was co-sponsor -- another event to support the needed exploring and forms for these times. The place was beautiful. Gigantic pines. Icicle River running alongside the conference space and at the feet of Sleeping Lady, the mountain after which the conference center is named. A harvest video is here, including some beautiful shots of the land. Amazing people there. I particularly found it helpful to be with some old friends and feel the sense of meeting each other even more deeply -- the times are calling us to be in our deepest relations and creations together.
The gathering was held largely in Open Space format. Harrions Owen and Anne Stadler were there, people who really helped give Open Space its early shape, conditions, and practice. Peggy Holman was a core host -- her work is thoughtful and exquisite. Anne is among the most beautiful souls I've ever come to know. She is elegant, full of grace, lives from such a beautiful place of joy. Harrison is direct, has a cowboy's straight-talking edge, and spoke with simplicty. Below are a few of the gifts I got through this listening with Harrison, including added ways to talk about the principles and laws.
- What can we do together that we can't do alone? The invitation was for each of us and all of us to take our practice to next levels in the reality of a self-organizing world. It was an invitation to get to the "what's possible" in the companionship of many that are pioneering.
- This time is one of the most exciting times in history. It is a time where many recognize we are beyond bullshit and that we have to be honest with each other. Harrison spoke of "a whole mess of people" who are scared now and having fits. It's time for us to get lit up and go to the edge and beyond.
- There is a difference between doing something wrong and doing the wrong thing. The former presumes we have the right paradigm and just need to learn. The latter asserts we need a new way of thinking.
- There is no such thing as an closed system. A closed system is a mythology born in Newtonian science and perpetuated through many traditions of management and control. "Managerialism is the greatest evil and hypocracy of the 20th century," speaks Brian Bainbridge, a dear elder parish leader and consultant from Australia. "In my parish, they no longer ask, 'what do you want us to do?' That question has evaporated." Brian is leading with a different principle -- that open systems seek deeper meaning and fitness. They do this or they collapse and make way for the emergence of other systems.
- Open Space as a format came to Harrison over two maratinis and 20 minutes. It was a simple as naming areas of care, opening a market place and then getting to work with no advance planning needed and no facilitation of groups.
- From Harrison's book, Wave Rider, naming that surfers are not in charge of the wave. They are curious, go with the flow, see opportunities, work with invitation and appreciation.
- The focus is on the reality of self-organization, what has been happenign for 13 billion years.
- Everyone, every organization, every community will have bumps, hills, valleys and what have yous. Create a way for people so share what they have passion for and then take some responsibility. Create a nexus for caring that is real passion and real responsibility.
- Whoever comes are the right people. Why? Because they care. "I'd rather have 3 people who care -- that's gorgeous -- than 50 that don't give a damn." Structure contrains spirit.
- On the law of 2 feet -- when feet stop moving, and organization dies. We need to keep the grief working in organizations because it helps us get to the next that is needed. "Give people a place to say 'o shit' with vigor."
Showing posts with label Open Space. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Open Space. Show all posts
Lisa Heft on Hosting Large Open Space Meetings
Hi, Martin -
(Martin has asked for tips for a 600-or-so person Open Space event)
So - As part of Christine Whitney Sanchez’ wonderful team for the Girl Scouts USA event, I facilitated a pre-conference Open Space for 700+ people.
(I smile when I think of your comments, Harrison - I, too have done OS for 2,000 so to me 5-600 sounds like a breeze. But Martin - it’s new until you have done it a few times, eh? And we are all happy to help).
The hotel ballroom I used for that was (according to the hotel) about 21,000 square feet - though it was a bit long rather than square. Being a person who absorbs information by graphics and not by numbers, this does not help me and I usually ask the site to see if they can help by creating a to-scale diagram of the room-sets we are discussing, to see if it all works as we discuss our variations before settling on one.
In very large events, I find that it may not be possible to have an opening circle set-up as a circle (or concentric rings) -and also- the ability to set up 50+ discussion areas.
Elements influencing this may be the size of the room, time it takes to move across the room, fire codes and safety issues, and so on.
So. On this list we have shared so many experiences about what-ifs regarding room set-up, and we have collectively found that the circle - for opening and closing - is essential. As not all rooms alow that, we have collectively found that the *feeling* of circle and the facilitator’s body use to *imply* and set that circle is essential.
Therefore, in large events / spaces - think about this:
(for those of you who think graphically, take a piece of paper - write ‘Agenda Wall’ at the top, make a little square in the center, and then draw a ‘cross’ bisecting the page from top to bottom and from left to right)
· I have the Agenda Wall along one very long, approachable wall (like always).
· I have the site set up a small platform in the center of the room upon which I stand (so everyone can see me and know where the sound is coming from when I speak).
· I have the room set up as pre-set circles of chairs (zero tables of course), allowing for a good wide ‘cross’-shaped aisle bisecting the room (my platform is in the center of that cross, one ‘arm’ leads to the Agenda wall and on the other three ‘arms’ are…topics tables…see below).
· In the other three ‘arms’ of the cross-shaped aisles (not the one leading to the Agenda Wall) I have - in each of those - three or four rectangular tables touching/in a line to form in each aisle one very long table. On these tables I have pre-set many markers, plus many topic signs. If the time is short I pre-affix the little time/space post-its to those topic signs, if not I put those post-its to the side of the Agenda Wall in the usual way. At the center end of these sign-making stations I position a microphone on a stand. I also hold a microphone.
· In the center of every of the 50+ circles of chairs I have a location sign (such as “A” or “AA”), notes-taker forms, and sign-in sheets to pass during a discussion.
(there are more than 50 possible conversations of course, as you have your different session times x number of discussion circles - the numbers of discussion circles depends on the size of the room - for large groups I like to imagine my group size divided by 15 to imagine how many discussion areas - others do this differently)
· On the walls (for visibility and help with traffic in a very large room) I have big signs that say things like “A through N” so one can look across the room and know where to walk to.
People start by coming into the room and sitting anywhere - in any one of those little circles of chairs.
I open, explain process and guidelines, from my little platform in the center.
I invite people to come to the sign-making tables, make a topic sign, come to their microphone, announce their topic, and post it on the Agenda Wall.
As people do this I indicate each next speaker, in the round. I am still using / physicalizing the opening circle. My indication of who speaks next also helps the seated participants know who is speaking next. With a large room it is useful to know this as the sound sounds like it comes from everywhere.
Agenda co-creation in my experience has never lasted longer than 1 hour 15 minutes - no matter how large the group has been.
Then we are off - people simple go to the Agenda Wall (you want plenty of room for traffic in front of that and it wants to be very long if possible to allow all to see), put their names on the signs (if that’s your approach) or not, then go to the discussion areas where their preferred topics are.
**everything happens in the same big room**. **there is no space/time in-between sessions on the schedule** **food is also brought in to stations around the edges of this room** **if there is a Newsroom, ideally it is also along the wall of this same room** ** if additional signage is needed helium balloons or signs hanging from the ceiling may be used **
We come back together at Closing Circle time by sitting anywhere. I am once again twirling on my little platform in the center. I invite Closing Circle comments and reflections, once again indicating in the round who next will speak as they once again come up to stand at the 3 microphones.
We have a really delicious time.
My fabulous colleagues who also have done larger OS will give you other ideas from their own experiences…
Our warm wishes go with you,
Lisa
(Martin has asked for tips for a 600-or-so person Open Space event)
So - As part of Christine Whitney Sanchez’ wonderful team for the Girl Scouts USA event, I facilitated a pre-conference Open Space for 700+ people.
(I smile when I think of your comments, Harrison - I, too have done OS for 2,000 so to me 5-600 sounds like a breeze. But Martin - it’s new until you have done it a few times, eh? And we are all happy to help).
The hotel ballroom I used for that was (according to the hotel) about 21,000 square feet - though it was a bit long rather than square. Being a person who absorbs information by graphics and not by numbers, this does not help me and I usually ask the site to see if they can help by creating a to-scale diagram of the room-sets we are discussing, to see if it all works as we discuss our variations before settling on one.
In very large events, I find that it may not be possible to have an opening circle set-up as a circle (or concentric rings) -and also- the ability to set up 50+ discussion areas.
Elements influencing this may be the size of the room, time it takes to move across the room, fire codes and safety issues, and so on.
So. On this list we have shared so many experiences about what-ifs regarding room set-up, and we have collectively found that the circle - for opening and closing - is essential. As not all rooms alow that, we have collectively found that the *feeling* of circle and the facilitator’s body use to *imply* and set that circle is essential.
Therefore, in large events / spaces - think about this:
(for those of you who think graphically, take a piece of paper - write ‘Agenda Wall’ at the top, make a little square in the center, and then draw a ‘cross’ bisecting the page from top to bottom and from left to right)
· I have the Agenda Wall along one very long, approachable wall (like always).
· I have the site set up a small platform in the center of the room upon which I stand (so everyone can see me and know where the sound is coming from when I speak).
· I have the room set up as pre-set circles of chairs (zero tables of course), allowing for a good wide ‘cross’-shaped aisle bisecting the room (my platform is in the center of that cross, one ‘arm’ leads to the Agenda wall and on the other three ‘arms’ are…topics tables…see below).
· In the other three ‘arms’ of the cross-shaped aisles (not the one leading to the Agenda Wall) I have - in each of those - three or four rectangular tables touching/in a line to form in each aisle one very long table. On these tables I have pre-set many markers, plus many topic signs. If the time is short I pre-affix the little time/space post-its to those topic signs, if not I put those post-its to the side of the Agenda Wall in the usual way. At the center end of these sign-making stations I position a microphone on a stand. I also hold a microphone.
· In the center of every of the 50+ circles of chairs I have a location sign (such as “A” or “AA”), notes-taker forms, and sign-in sheets to pass during a discussion.
(there are more than 50 possible conversations of course, as you have your different session times x number of discussion circles - the numbers of discussion circles depends on the size of the room - for large groups I like to imagine my group size divided by 15 to imagine how many discussion areas - others do this differently)
· On the walls (for visibility and help with traffic in a very large room) I have big signs that say things like “A through N” so one can look across the room and know where to walk to.
People start by coming into the room and sitting anywhere - in any one of those little circles of chairs.
I open, explain process and guidelines, from my little platform in the center.
I invite people to come to the sign-making tables, make a topic sign, come to their microphone, announce their topic, and post it on the Agenda Wall.
As people do this I indicate each next speaker, in the round. I am still using / physicalizing the opening circle. My indication of who speaks next also helps the seated participants know who is speaking next. With a large room it is useful to know this as the sound sounds like it comes from everywhere.
Agenda co-creation in my experience has never lasted longer than 1 hour 15 minutes - no matter how large the group has been.
Then we are off - people simple go to the Agenda Wall (you want plenty of room for traffic in front of that and it wants to be very long if possible to allow all to see), put their names on the signs (if that’s your approach) or not, then go to the discussion areas where their preferred topics are.
**everything happens in the same big room**. **there is no space/time in-between sessions on the schedule** **food is also brought in to stations around the edges of this room** **if there is a Newsroom, ideally it is also along the wall of this same room** ** if additional signage is needed helium balloons or signs hanging from the ceiling may be used **
We come back together at Closing Circle time by sitting anywhere. I am once again twirling on my little platform in the center. I invite Closing Circle comments and reflections, once again indicating in the round who next will speak as they once again come up to stand at the 3 microphones.
We have a really delicious time.
My fabulous colleagues who also have done larger OS will give you other ideas from their own experiences…
Our warm wishes go with you,
Lisa
Larry Peterson on Hosting Large Open Space Meetings
a. Do you have any 'top tips' on special needs for a group of this size?
As Lisa says, the wall is really important and I leave it chaotic with post-its on one side and room for the folks at the wall on the other.
b. Any special suggestions for how to create the circle/s? (I am considering three concentric circles: one of cushions, one of benches, and then one of chairs. But we could also possibly build risers. How much space will we need for this circle/these circles? Do you suggest three concentric circles or more?
With 600 I go with more concentric circles. I find that when the centre circle is at or over 150 people, then the connection with the sponsor and the opening is less. I prefer a centre circle of between 100 and 150. A small platform, one step up at the most, in the centre of the circle might help but it must be easily gotten on and off of. I would not build fixed seating in risers.
c. How much extra time will be needed for the agenda setting, given the size of the group?
I have not experienced that a lot of extra time is needed – say .5hr.
d. How many sessions should I expect from 600 people? (In a highly motivated group of 100 people, I would usually provide breakout spaces for about 50 sessions. But my guess is that this ratio should go down as the numbers increase. Also, we expect a lot of people who are too shy, reserved, or not sufficiently motivated -- this time -- to post a session. So I am guessing that I'll need about 150 breakout slots.
I plan for .7 times the number, say about 42 per round and then have extras available, so that is similar to your number for 100. I've never had need for 150 breakout slots in a given round of OST discussions with 600. You know your people better than I and the theme for this event. The amount of passion evoked by the theme question shapes the number at any given round. You are talking between 3-4 rounds of discussion.
e. Any advice on the schedule? The day is limited to 8.30 – 16.30. Some people might be able to stay later, but we can't plan on this. I normally don't schedule tea breaks, but in this case, it might be necessary to give people time to find their way around the venue. Here are three versions:
I would go with the simplest agenda and 1.5 hour session. With this number, there will be more time for folks to move between sessions so allowing 1.5 hours for each will give them the freedom to self-manage that time – which for me is the genius of OST. Building in breaks makes it seem like any other conference and reduces the "whenever its over, its over" injunction.
Larry
As Lisa says, the wall is really important and I leave it chaotic with post-its on one side and room for the folks at the wall on the other.
b. Any special suggestions for how to create the circle/s? (I am considering three concentric circles: one of cushions, one of benches, and then one of chairs. But we could also possibly build risers. How much space will we need for this circle/these circles? Do you suggest three concentric circles or more?
With 600 I go with more concentric circles. I find that when the centre circle is at or over 150 people, then the connection with the sponsor and the opening is less. I prefer a centre circle of between 100 and 150. A small platform, one step up at the most, in the centre of the circle might help but it must be easily gotten on and off of. I would not build fixed seating in risers.
c. How much extra time will be needed for the agenda setting, given the size of the group?
I have not experienced that a lot of extra time is needed – say .5hr.
d. How many sessions should I expect from 600 people? (In a highly motivated group of 100 people, I would usually provide breakout spaces for about 50 sessions. But my guess is that this ratio should go down as the numbers increase. Also, we expect a lot of people who are too shy, reserved, or not sufficiently motivated -- this time -- to post a session. So I am guessing that I'll need about 150 breakout slots.
I plan for .7 times the number, say about 42 per round and then have extras available, so that is similar to your number for 100. I've never had need for 150 breakout slots in a given round of OST discussions with 600. You know your people better than I and the theme for this event. The amount of passion evoked by the theme question shapes the number at any given round. You are talking between 3-4 rounds of discussion.
e. Any advice on the schedule? The day is limited to 8.30 – 16.30. Some people might be able to stay later, but we can't plan on this. I normally don't schedule tea breaks, but in this case, it might be necessary to give people time to find their way around the venue. Here are three versions:
I would go with the simplest agenda and 1.5 hour session. With this number, there will be more time for folks to move between sessions so allowing 1.5 hours for each will give them the freedom to self-manage that time – which for me is the genius of OST. Building in breaks makes it seem like any other conference and reduces the "whenever its over, its over" injunction.
Larry
Hosting Large Open Space Meetings
January 14, 2009
Many of my colleagues and I are being asked to scale up our work, both in purpose and in the number of people participating. Recently there was a discussion on the OS listserve about tips for hosting OS in groups of 600. Everything from room setup to expected number of groups to adjustments in time needed, etc. Very helpful. With thanks to my OS colleagues.
From Lisa Heft, an excellent post from her experience of hosting with the Girl Scouts.
From Larry Peterson, a practitioner based in Toronto, Ontario, another excellent post.
From Chris Corrigan, this: "Oh...one thing I did in my 600 person OS that really helped was to have someone writing up the agenda for the first session as it was being produced and once the agenda setting session was over we projected it on large screens. THat just saved traffic piling up at the wall and 600 people all trying to read one person's handwriting. Subsequent sessions were projected as the day went on."
And this, "emphasize the 1.5 hour part. 600 is a lot of people. Don't rush them."
From Harrison Owen, this on moving people along: "But you do have to keep the folks moving with a large group. I set the stage for this by saying as we start on announcing sessions that this is not the time for a speech. Just announce your title and state your name – and move on. One secret is that I ALWAYS hang on to the mike. I act just like a sticky microphone stand. If somebody starts on a speech (something more than title and name) I let them go for a very little bit and then intervene to say “No Speeches.” Some times you have to do this twice, but I have never had to do it a third time. Net effect is that even with very large groups (2108 German Psychiatrists) announcing 236 sessions took a little less that ½ an hour."
And this, "I have always found that it is much easier to work with a group this size and larger. Everything works just the way it always does, even down to the amount of time it takes to get started – an hour an a half – and any thought that you might be able to control the situation is simply unthinkable."
Many of my colleagues and I are being asked to scale up our work, both in purpose and in the number of people participating. Recently there was a discussion on the OS listserve about tips for hosting OS in groups of 600. Everything from room setup to expected number of groups to adjustments in time needed, etc. Very helpful. With thanks to my OS colleagues.
From Lisa Heft, an excellent post from her experience of hosting with the Girl Scouts.
From Larry Peterson, a practitioner based in Toronto, Ontario, another excellent post.
From Chris Corrigan, this: "Oh...one thing I did in my 600 person OS that really helped was to have someone writing up the agenda for the first session as it was being produced and once the agenda setting session was over we projected it on large screens. THat just saved traffic piling up at the wall and 600 people all trying to read one person's handwriting. Subsequent sessions were projected as the day went on."
And this, "emphasize the 1.5 hour part. 600 is a lot of people. Don't rush them."
From Harrison Owen, this on moving people along: "But you do have to keep the folks moving with a large group. I set the stage for this by saying as we start on announcing sessions that this is not the time for a speech. Just announce your title and state your name – and move on. One secret is that I ALWAYS hang on to the mike. I act just like a sticky microphone stand. If somebody starts on a speech (something more than title and name) I let them go for a very little bit and then intervene to say “No Speeches.” Some times you have to do this twice, but I have never had to do it a third time. Net effect is that even with very large groups (2108 German Psychiatrists) announcing 236 sessions took a little less that ½ an hour."
And this, "I have always found that it is much easier to work with a group this size and larger. Everything works just the way it always does, even down to the amount of time it takes to get started – an hour an a half – and any thought that you might be able to control the situation is simply unthinkable."
Open Space Market Place
November 18, 2008
I love this photo of another way to create an OS market place.
From Nancy White on the OS List.
I love this photo of another way to create an OS market place.
From Nancy White on the OS List.
Resources for Educators
September 25, 2008
Thanks to Helen Santiago, whom I just met in New York City at an event convened by the Department of Education. Helen is with The College Board Leadership Institute for Principals. She is also Executive Director of New Small Schools, which helps increase students' college readiness. She works with World Cafe and Open Space Technology. Our conversation included focus on how to use organic process and harvest for traditional audiences.
Helen was one of many great people at this event. Here's a bit on The College Board: This national leadership institute is designed to build the capacity of school leaders to develop and sustain their own practice and help them develop rigorous and nurturing school environments.
Here's the report she shared with me.
Thanks to Helen Santiago, whom I just met in New York City at an event convened by the Department of Education. Helen is with The College Board Leadership Institute for Principals. She is also Executive Director of New Small Schools, which helps increase students' college readiness. She works with World Cafe and Open Space Technology. Our conversation included focus on how to use organic process and harvest for traditional audiences.
Helen was one of many great people at this event. Here's a bit on The College Board: This national leadership institute is designed to build the capacity of school leaders to develop and sustain their own practice and help them develop rigorous and nurturing school environments.
Here's the report she shared with me.
Wave Rider -- Book by Harrison Owen
September 2, 2008
Below is an email that came out through the OS listserve. It announces Harrison Owen's new book, Wave Rider, published by BK. I'm posting it here because I love the clarity of description on experiment. When I think of what OS is, and how I describe it to others, this little post is exceptionally good. I like the focus on self-organization with OS as one of the ways to work with the reality of self-organization.
Below is an email that came out through the OS listserve. It announces Harrison Owen's new book, Wave Rider, published by BK. I'm posting it here because I love the clarity of description on experiment. When I think of what OS is, and how I describe it to others, this little post is exceptionally good. I like the focus on self-organization with OS as one of the ways to work with the reality of self-organization.
"On September 12, 2008, Berrett-Koehler will
publish my new book, Wave Rider: Leadership for High Performance in a Self
Organizing World. As I explained to my publisher, Steve Piersanti, this is the
book I have been waiting to write because it represents my final report on my
participation in a grand natural experiment.
The experiment, of
course, is that ridiculously simple way to elegant gatherings, Open Space
Technology. As you may know, the creation of OST was not a labor intensive
activity. In fact it appeared in my mind on the strength of two martinis in the
time it took to drink them. That was 23 years ago, and in the intervening period
millions of people from 134 countries have discovered that if you will sit in a
circle, create a bulletin board, open a market place, and go to work -- some
fairly incredible things are likely to happen. Massively complex issues can be
dealt with in amazingly short periods of time. Intense conflict can find useful
paths of resolution. And it seems to happen all by itself. There are even
recorded cases where the sole facilitator took a nap!
I have no way
of knowing what all these people thought about their experience, but I found it
profoundly mystifying. How could something so simple do so much? Considered
against the dominant theory and practice of organization and meetings, such
things not only could not happen, they should not happen. But it did and it
does.
Over time it occurred to me that the magic was not Open Space
Technology, but something infinitely more powerful and profound: the elemental
force of Self Organization. For whatever reason, I have had a lifetime
fascination with the great cosmic dance of chaos and order. My 1965 thesis could
have born the title, “Chaos, Order, and the Creative Process,” for that was the
central theme. As the evolving science of chaos and complexity matured I found
myself mesmerized by the elegant insights of the physicists, chemists and
biologists who were pushing that frontier – particularly when they identified
the phenomenon of self organization as a critical player. It all seemed so
counterintuitive -- and disturbingly compelling when it occurred to me that
something of the same sort could be happening every time we sat in a circle and
created a bulletin board. But they were doing High Science, and we just
convening meetings. And that is where that funny thing called OST became a
natural experiment for me.
The question was: If the primal force of
self organization lay at the heart of the Open Space experience could we learn
to leverage it for our benefit and align our endeavors with its massive power? I
think the answer is yes, not just as a theoretical possibility but in very
practical ways which might enhance our performance and expand our possibilities
in this turbulent, confusing and wonderful world. In a word, we might learn to
surf the waves of primal power to become Wave Riders.
The book
comes in two parts. The first states the case, and Part II makes the
application. If your predilection is theoretical start at the beginning and read
forward. On the other hand, if your preference is practical, skip Part I and
head straight for Part II: The Wave Rider’s Guide. I make no pretence that this
is the “final word” -- indeed I hope it is but a beginning. But it will get you
started, and the rest is up to you."
Open Space Technology -- Resources
Introduction to Open Space: A paper that Jon Swanson wrote for the Journal of Aboriginal Management called "A Model For Aboriginal Facilitation."
Action Planning Resources
Chris Corrigan compiled three useful approaches to facilitating action planning in Open Space. The first is his own version of moving to action, the second is Diana Larsen's approach to prioritizing ideas by impact and energy and the third approach is Jack Martin Leith's approach to project planning, which he blogged here. The three are in an easy to download .pdf. Enoy.
A couple of video resources from OS Practitioner, Esther Matte.
Watch an Open Space event in a 30-seconds time-lapse video
Short film on Open Space (3 min 34 sec)
"Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened" -- what does this mean? A question from Ashley Cooper. Reflections, hosted by Chris Corrigan, from participants at the July 2008 open space on open space. http://chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/Whateverhappens.mp3
Chris Corrigan
Action Planning Resources
Chris Corrigan compiled three useful approaches to facilitating action planning in Open Space. The first is his own version of moving to action, the second is Diana Larsen's approach to prioritizing ideas by impact and energy and the third approach is Jack Martin Leith's approach to project planning, which he blogged here. The three are in an easy to download .pdf. Enoy.
A couple of video resources from OS Practitioner, Esther Matte.
Watch an Open Space event in a 30-seconds time-lapse video
Short film on Open Space (3 min 34 sec)
"Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened" -- what does this mean? A question from Ashley Cooper. Reflections, hosted by Chris Corrigan, from participants at the July 2008 open space on open space. http://chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/Whateverhappens.mp3
Chris Corrigan
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