Hi friends.
We had an interesting meeting yesterday. I noticed it’s a bit challenging to be initiator, facilitator, tech assistant, participant at the same time. And we did good 😊
In collaboration with ChatGPT I created and now hand over the notes. This conversation was part of the initiative for an ongoing Open Space in the Garden https://openspace.qiqochat.com/gardens

Feel welcome to reflect on the notes – anyone!
With appreciation
Thomas

Summary of the Meeting Discussion
Topic: Why are most organizational gatherings still not highly participative and co-creative in 2025?
Context: Part of the ongoing Open Space in the Open Space Garden in cooperation with OSlist.
Convener: Thomas Herrmann
Participants: Marai, Paul, John, Francois, Lucas, Peggy, Martina, Christoph, Victoria

Key Themes

1. Facilitation and Practice
   *  Set up the space quickly and keep it simple—less is often more.
   *  Emphasize responsibility: co-creation works when people choose to take responsibility.
   *  Facilitators learn to balance “evangelist” and “servant” roles—trusting people, starting from what is, and persisting without giving up.
   *  Managing the process toward outcomes while acknowledging and embracing fears is part of the craft.
2. Responsibility and Maturity
   *  Participation grows when responsibility is invited and accepted—“invite them into my world, not bring mine into theirs.”
   *  In the right culture, people rise in maturity and engagement, regardless of where they start.
   *  It’s not only about “organizations” but about those who step up to take responsibility.
3. Cultural and Generational Dynamics
   *  Generational differences matter: younger people may prefer asynchronous over in-person interactions.
   *  Kids show how natural co-creation is—whether in play or in Open Space.
   *  The age range of participants in the conversation was noticed, highlighting different perspectives and habits.
4. Barriers and Challenges
   *  “Participatory isn’t sexy”: it’s often undervalued compared to more traditional, hierarchical approaches.
   *  There is fear and hesitation about stepping into responsibility and co-creation.
   *  Old management logics persist: managers still focus on controlling people rather than improving systems.
5. Visions and Possibilities
   *  Open Space can be seen as an opportunity for a fully responsible, engaged life.
   *  Co-creation should be a norm, not a rare event.
   *  Sustainable outcomes require attention to preparation and follow-up (“the HOW”).
   *  Co-creating with people, not to them, is essential.
   *  At its best, participatory practice releases life force.
   Emotional Undercurrents

• Some participants noted irritation or sadness as the conversation ended, while others felt clarity about what they truly want.
• A sense of longing emerged—for co-creation to be more widespread, for responsibility to be embraced, and for participatory practice to be recognized as vital.
  Core Insight
  Even in 2025, highly participative meetings are not the norm because of persistent habits, hierarchical systems, and undervaluing of participation. Yet when space is held well, responsibility is invited, and fear is embraced, people of all ages naturally rise into co-creation—unlocking energy, clarity, and sustainable results.

Thomas Herrmann
Open Space Consulting AB

Pensévägen 4, 434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden
Telefon: +46 (0)709 98 97 81
Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.commailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com
Homepage: www.openspaceconsulting.comhttp://www.openspaceconsulting.com/ / www.5toFold.comhttp://www.5tofold.com/
Profile on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsulthttp://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsult

Open Space Consulting frigör livskraft i människor, organisationer och samhälle.
We release lifepower in people, organizations and society.

Trainings/workshops (Info & registrationhttps://openspaceconsulting.com/kategori/aktiviteter/kommande-aktiviteter/)

9-11 Sept: Working with Open Space Technology, Lunteren, the Netherlands
23-25 Sept: Att arbeta hållbart med Open Space-metoden, Örby, Sverige
8 Okt: Erfa-utbyte om Open Space (gratis, online)
17-19 Okt: Open Space för Demokrati, Gullbrannagården.
6-8 Nov: WorldOpenSpaceOnOpenSpace, Nairobi, Kenya

2026
20-22 Jan: Whole Person Process Facilitation, Örby Sverige
27-29 Jan: Att arbeta hållbart med Open Space-metoden, Örby, Sverige
11-13 March: Whole Person Process Facilitation, Lunteren, the Netherlands

Continous opportunities for online learning - selfstudy + mentoring – leadership and facilitation incl Open Space
[cid:image001.png@01DC21A9.AEE70E80]

And here’s a link if you want to see the space we had, where you also find the original notes/harvest.
https://zoom.us/wb/doc/Hmu7WtahQfutej4IFG4fQQ/p/54988714475520
Thomas

Från: Thomas Herrmann via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Skickat: den 9 september 2025 16:49
Till: OS LIST 2022 everyone@oslist.org
Ämne: [OSList] SUmmary from breakout group on:

Hi friends.
We had an interesting meeting yesterday. I noticed it’s a bit challenging to be initiator, facilitator, tech assistant, participant at the same time. And we did good 😊
In collaboration with ChatGPT I created and now hand over the notes. This conversation was part of the initiative for an ongoing Open Space in the Garden https://openspace.qiqochat.com/gardens

Feel welcome to reflect on the notes – anyone!
With appreciation
Thomas

Summary of the Meeting Discussion
Topic: Why are most organizational gatherings still not highly participative and co-creative in 2025?
Context: Part of the ongoing Open Space in the Open Space Garden in cooperation with OSlist.
Convener: Thomas Herrmann
Participants: Marai, Paul, John, Francois, Lucas, Peggy, Martina, Christoph, Victoria

Key Themes

1. Facilitation and Practice
   *  Set up the space quickly and keep it simple—less is often more.
   *  Emphasize responsibility: co-creation works when people choose to take responsibility.
   *  Facilitators learn to balance “evangelist” and “servant” roles—trusting people, starting from what is, and persisting without giving up.
   *  Managing the process toward outcomes while acknowledging and embracing fears is part of the craft.
2. Responsibility and Maturity
   *  Participation grows when responsibility is invited and accepted—“invite them into my world, not bring mine into theirs.”
   *  In the right culture, people rise in maturity and engagement, regardless of where they start.
   *  It’s not only about “organizations” but about those who step up to take responsibility.
3. Cultural and Generational Dynamics
   *  Generational differences matter: younger people may prefer asynchronous over in-person interactions.
   *  Kids show how natural co-creation is—whether in play or in Open Space.
   *  The age range of participants in the conversation was noticed, highlighting different perspectives and habits.
4. Barriers and Challenges
   *  “Participatory isn’t sexy”: it’s often undervalued compared to more traditional, hierarchical approaches.
   *  There is fear and hesitation about stepping into responsibility and co-creation.
   *  Old management logics persist: managers still focus on controlling people rather than improving systems.
5. Visions and Possibilities
   *  Open Space can be seen as an opportunity for a fully responsible, engaged life.
   *  Co-creation should be a norm, not a rare event.
   *  Sustainable outcomes require attention to preparation and follow-up (“the HOW”).
   *  Co-creating with people, not to them, is essential.
   *  At its best, participatory practice releases life force.
   Emotional Undercurrents

• Some participants noted irritation or sadness as the conversation ended, while others felt clarity about what they truly want.
• A sense of longing emerged—for co-creation to be more widespread, for responsibility to be embraced, and for participatory practice to be recognized as vital.
  Core Insight
  Even in 2025, highly participative meetings are not the norm because of persistent habits, hierarchical systems, and undervaluing of participation. Yet when space is held well, responsibility is invited, and fear is embraced, people of all ages naturally rise into co-creation—unlocking energy, clarity, and sustainable results.

Thomas Herrmann
Open Space Consulting AB

Pensévägen 4, 434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden
Telefon: +46 (0)709 98 97 81
Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.commailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com
Homepage: www.openspaceconsulting.comhttp://www.openspaceconsulting.com/ / www.5toFold.comhttp://www.5tofold.com/
Profile on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsulthttp://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsult

Open Space Consulting frigör livskraft i människor, organisationer och samhälle.
We release lifepower in people, organizations and society.

Trainings/workshops (Info & registrationhttps://openspaceconsulting.com/kategori/aktiviteter/kommande-aktiviteter/)

9-11 Sept: Working with Open Space Technology, Lunteren, the Netherlands
23-25 Sept: Att arbeta hållbart med Open Space-metoden, Örby, Sverige
8 Okt: Erfa-utbyte om Open Space (gratis, online)
17-19 Okt: Open Space för Demokrati, Gullbrannagården.
6-8 Nov: WorldOpenSpaceOnOpenSpace, Nairobi, Kenya

2026
20-22 Jan: Whole Person Process Facilitation, Örby Sverige
27-29 Jan: Att arbeta hållbart med Open Space-metoden, Örby, Sverige
11-13 March: Whole Person Process Facilitation, Lunteren, the Netherlands

Continous opportunities for online learning - selfstudy + mentoring – leadership and facilitation incl Open Space
[cid:image001.png@01DC21AB.0106CF60]