# Open Space Technology  Author:: Harrison Owen ## AI-Generated Summary None ## Highlights ### Chapter I Open Space Technology? > each person who cared to was invited to identify any issue related to the central task for which they had some real passion, write it down on a quarter sheet of newsprint, and post it on the wall. In doing so, they accepted responsibility for convening a session on their issue and making a written report of the results. When all the issues were posted, everybody went to the wall en masse and signed up for the sessions in which they cared to participate. And then it was off to work. That was it, and this was Open Space Technology (OST). 2 ([Location 71](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=71)) > So much for one year’s effort to arrange papers, participants, and presenters. The only thing that everybody liked was the one thing I had nothing to do with: the coffee breaks. There had to be a message here. ([Location 91](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=91)) > My experience tells me that the circle is the fundamental geometry of open human communication. A circle has no head or foot, no high or low, no sides to take; in a circle, people can simply be with each other–face to face. After all, we do not have a square of friends, and on a cold winter’s night it is nice to be part of the family circle. Place people in rows (classroom or theater-style), where they all face the source of power and authority, and it is clear who will talk and who must listen. In squares and rectangles, there is separation that may be useful to keep combative parties apart, as in negotiation, but genuine, open, free communication tends to occur only at a minimum. Circles create communication. ([Location 107](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=107)) > Everybody has the right and responsibility to place items on the agenda, which allows the unspeakable to be spoken. ([Location 143](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=143)) > A strong point of Open Space Technology is its ability to unite groups of enormous diversity in their education, ethnicity, economics, politics, culture, social position, or all of the above. ([Location 147](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=147)) ### Chapter II Preparation > Open Space Technology is effective in situations where a diverse group of people must deal with complex and potentially conflicting material in innovative and productive ways. It is particularly powerful when nobody knows the answer, and the ongoing participation of a number of people is required to deal with the questions. Conversely, Open Space Technology will not work, and therefore should not be used, in any situation where the answer is already known, where somebody at a high level thinks he or she knows the answer, or where that somebody is the sort who must know the answer, and therefore must always be in charge–otherwise known as control, control, control. ([Location 216](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=216)) > There are, in fact, five Conditions of Use when it comes to OST: 1) There is a real business issue. Open Space is not about “doing a process”; it is about doing a real and needed job. 2) A great deal of complexity. A simple business issue does not require meeting in Open Space or in any other fashion. Just do it! But if this issue is so complex that nobody can quite get their arms around it–that is “meat and potatoes for Open Space. 3) Lots of diversity in terms of people and points of view. 4) Real passion (people care!), and probably also conflict. 5) A decision time of yesterday (genuine urgency). ([Location 226](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=226)) > In the western world, and in all other parts where it is presumed that central authority and control are the order of the universe, what happens in Open Space is not just surprising, it is counterintuitive and probably wrong. In fact it just could not happen. Everybody knows that inviting a group of people to sit in a circle and speak to their issues of concern without a prior agenda and an army of facilitators to control the conversation is an invitation to disaster. ([Location 271](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=271)) > It might seem that sponsor anxiety could be curbed by establishing certain limits to the discussion in Open Space. Some of my colleagues call this, negotiating The Givens. Certain areas are designated off-limits, and these limits might be clearly spelled out in the invitation and at the opening of the Open Space. The logic of this approach is clear, but my experience is that it is not all that helpful. Circumscribing the discussion is very likely to limit options which might otherwise provide exactly the path needed for resolution. ([Location 276](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=276)) > A more relevant admonition would be “Trust the People.” ([Location 295](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=295)) ## New highlights added February 9, 2024 at 7:49 AM > Do you trust the people? If the answer is yes, then probably you should give the people space to find resolution for the common issue. If the answer is no, then other options need to be considered. ([Location 304](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=304)) > OST is designed to do a job, to work a real business issue, no matter how you define business or issue. So a first act of preparation is to determine in concrete terms what you want to accomplish, best stated in a question. ([Location 307](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=307)) > Open Space Technology runs on two fundamentals: passion and responsibility. Without passion, nobody is interested. Without responsibility, nothing will get done. ([Location 312](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=312)) > Voluntary self-selection for people who care is the only useful ticket of admission to an Open Space. Being a volunteer is the prime prerequisite for the full expression of passion and responsibility, and only fools volunteer for something they neither understand nor care about. ([Location 324](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=324)) > For Open Space Technology to work, it must focus on a real business issue that is of passionate concern to those who will be involved. ([Location 334](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=334)) > Never interrupt Open Space with something else. When you are doing Open Space, do it. When it is over, it is over. ([Location 472](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=472)) > learning spacing. Each one of us has a set of physical conditions in which we perform best and learn most comfortably. ([Location 499](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=499)) > When it comes to designated breakout spaces, a workable rule of thumb is five per one hundred participants. ([Location 505](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=505)) ### Chapter III Proceedings and the Electronic Connection ### Chapter IV Personal Preparation for Open Space ## New highlights added February 11, 2024 at 9:19 PM > The unique and critical role of the facilitator in an Open Space event revolves around two functions: creating time and space and holding time and space. Observably, in performance, this means doing less rather than more. Under the best of circumstances, the facilitator will be totally present and absolutely invisible. ([Location 669](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=669)) ## New highlights added February 12, 2024 at 3:19 PM > It is not just any time and space that are being created and held; it is a special time and space, unique to that group. In addition, it is a safe time and space in which the group will feel free to explore new options and even be a little bit foolish. ([Location 706](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=706)) > When living fully on the planet or facilitating Open Space, Angie suggests that the following four things are necessary: Show Up Be Present Tell the Truth Let It All Go ([Location 727](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=727)) > Finally, let it all go. Angie actually says, “Have no attachment to fixed outcomes.” ([Location 744](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=744)) > To the best of my knowledge, there is exactly one way to absolutely guarantee the failure of an Open Space event, and that is to try and control it. It won’t work. Things will either shut down or blow up, but in either case the results will be less than optimal. Guaranteed. ([Location 748](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=748)) ### Chapter V Site Preparation ## New highlights added February 12, 2024 at 9:20 PM > Open Space happens in a circle, or as close to a circle as the available space will allow. Concentric circles may be necessary with large groups in smaller spaces, but still they are circles. ([Location 783](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=783)) > Make sure that there is as much space in the center of the circle as possible. ([Location 789](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=789)) > Make the Wall Accessible ([Location 795](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=795)) > THE FOUR PRINCIPLES Whoever comes is the right people. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have. Whenever it starts is the right time. When it’s over, it’s over. ([Location 828](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=828)) ### Chapter VI Creating Time and Space > Initiation consists of the following six stages: Welcome Focus the Group State the Theme Describe the Process Create the Community Bulletin Board Open the Village Marketplace Get out of the way! ([Location 905](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=905)) > Once introduced, I come to the edge of the circle and say something simple like, “Welcome to Open Space.” I then start walking slowly around the inside of the circle, and as I go, I invite the participants to let their eyes trace the circle to see who is there. ([Location 927](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=927)) > Once you have your issue or opportunity in mind, come out into the center of the circle, grab apiece of paper and a marker. If you have more than one issue, take several pieces of paper. Write down a short title and sign your name. Then stand in front of the group and say, “My issue is...and my name is....” There is no need for aspeech at this point or any sort of explanation. Nothing but the facts–your issue and your name. After you have announced your theme, take your piece of paper and tape it up on that blank wall. On your way, grab aPost-it from the chart, which will give you a time and place of meeting, attach it to your paper, and put the paper on the wall. When you have done that, please return to your seat. ([Location 989](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=989)) > The one law is the Law of Two Feet, which says that If, during our time together, you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet and go to some more productive place. In deference to those who may be differently abled, the law can be redescribed as the Law of Mobility, but the intent is the same. ([Location 1091](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=1091)) > the Law of Two Feet makes two additional contributions to the world of Open Space. It creates bumblebees and butterflies. Bumblebees are those people who take the freedom of the law very seriously and use their two feet, constantly flitting from meeting to meeting. ([Location 1105](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=1105)) > Butterflies are a rather different sort. These people often never get into any meeting. They may be found at the pool, on the patio, sitting in the bar. At first glance it is a little difficult to see what, if anything, they contribute, and indeed one might wonder why they even bothered to come. The truth is that butterflies do very little, and therein lies their contribution. They create centers of nonaction, where silence may be enjoyed or some new, unexplored topic of conversation engaged. ([Location 1109](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=1109)) ### Chapter VII Holding Space and Time > The art of facilitation in Open Space is the ability to create space and time and then to give it all away, to honestly turn your back on control, or what might appear to the participants as control. ([Location 1300](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=1300)) ### Chapter VIII Movement to Action > After the proceedings have been handed out, and sufficient time provided for a read-through (usually about one hour), sticky dots are passed to all participants. The exact number that each person receives is a matter of taste, but every one should have the same number. I find that ten dots per person works out about right. The instructions are as follows: After reading the proceedings and talking with your colleagues, find the issues you believe to be the most important. Indicate your level of enthusiasm for those issues by pasting some number of your sticky dots on the papers. You can put all the dots on a single issue or spread them out. The choice is yours. ([Location 1542](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=1542)) ### Chapter IX Endings and New Beginnings > The Talking Stick Ceremony ([Location 1683](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=1683)) ### Chapter X Follow-Up ### Chapter XI Unexpected Gifts: Leadership, Performance, Peace ### Chapter XII What Next? > Open Space works because self-organization works. ([Location 2102](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B005X0OKOY&location=2102))