Open Space musings
27 June 2010Over the last two weeks I’ve been immersed in Open Space Technology – sharing what I know, and learning from others, in a great two-day training program; and then opening space as part of a three-day workshop. Way back in 2001 when I attended my first World Open Space on Open Space in Vancouver (and…
Open Space Learning
24 May 2010We are not inviting our clients to engage in risky behavior. Quite the opposite, we are opening a space in which they can really be themselves. And the real risk is to continue with the non-productive, guilt inducing, dependant behavior. – Harrison Owen Anyone confronted with an Open Space meeting for the first time is often thrust in…
Learning Open Space Technology
13 April 2010For a few years now, I’ve been offering Open Space Technology training with the late Fr Brian Bainbridge. I know that Brian would want the training to continue, so I’m pleased that Andrew Rixon has stepped into the breach. Andrew and I will be offering a two-day training on June 16 & 17 in Melbourne.…
Open Space wisdom
6 April 2010Every now and again it’s good to be reminded about what makes open space work. Many of us try and intellectualise too much, and make it more complicated than it needs to be. Harrison Owen reminds us about the four principles and one law of open space, and what these mean in terms of the…
Fringe World Open Space on Open Space, Melbourne 11 May
30 March 2010Melbourne, Australia Tuesday, 11 May 2010 Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford 9.30 am – 4 pm Those of you who are familiar with Open Space might be aware that each year there is a World Open Space on Open Space (WOSonOS) event that brings together Open Space practitioners to, well, talk about Open…
Remembering Brian
3 February 2010I sit here writing this post through my tears as I remember my dear friend and mentor Brian Bainbridge, who died yesterday morning, in his sleep, apparently of a heart attack. Brian was a Catholic priest. We were invited to his 40th priestly celebration a few years ago. It was an odd event for us…
Beyond Open Space
22 November 2009At the end of each and every Applied Improv Conference is an Open Space Day (we’re still working on the whole conference being in Open Space, but that’s another story). I’ve had great fun the last two years opening space, and this year enjoyed Chris Corrigan taking on the opening – providing a new voice…
Open Space in action
20 September 2009For the past four years or so Fr Brian Bainbridge has been using the principles of Open Space Technology, and the process of OST, to transform the suburban parish where he is the Parish Priest. This is a remarkable story of transformation within one of the most bureaucratic and hierarchical of establishments – the Catholic…
Grid lines
8 August 2009There’s been an interesting discussion on the OS-LIST about grid lines. For the uninitiated, open space events allow participants to create their own agenda and self organise. The question is whether or not to use grid lines on the agenda wall (indicating times and spaces) to make it easier to see what’s on, when and…
What presses your buttons?
5 August 2009The term ‘change management’ presses my buttons. So instead of responding straight away with a rant, I thought I’d explore what the term means to me. First ‘change’ – there’s two types of change: change that I initiate, like changing jobs or moving house, or taking a vacation. Then there’s change that is imposed on…