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TOPIC TITLE: How come, that still in 2025, the vast majority of all gatherings in organizations are not highly participative co-creative meetings

PH
Peggy Holman
Sun, Sep 7, 2025 3:53 PM

Ego may sometimes be the issue. My observation is that it is more often fear that keeps people away. The fear of losing control. The fear of the unknown.  I was talking with a new colleague recently who is a successful coach. I did not experience her as someone with ego or domination issues. When I described Open Space, her comment was similar to what I often hear from organizational leaders. Fear of losing control, of not knowing what the people in the organization would do if invited to an open meeting.

I think the reluctance has far more to do with the high value Western culture tends to put on certainty. We’ve been trained away from trusting the opportunities inherent in exploring the unknown.

In these situations I see my work as opening their eyes to the potential for breakthrough and innovation that increases by bringing the diversity of the system together in welcoming conditions around a question that matters.

Looking forward to continuing the conversation tomorrow.

Thanks, again, Thomas for organizing the call.

Peggy


Peggy Holman
peggy@peggyholman.com

Bellevue, WA  98006
206-948-0432
www.peggyholman.com

Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity https://peggyholman.com/papers/engaging-emergence/

"An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get burnt, is to become
the fire".
-- Drew Dellinger

Join the Open Space practitioner’s conference - the World Open Space on Open Space (WOSonOS https://www.wosonos2025.org/) - in Kenya, November 6-8.

On Sep 5, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Rolf Schneidereit via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:

@ Thomas, thank you for your question! For me, it also touches on the topic of participation in society and politics.

@ Thank you, Michael, for your proposed explanation: “Capitalism is not interested in participation.”

This got me thinking: Is it really that simple? If so, we would “only” have to change the system and everything would be fine.

I don't think it's that simple. It's not the system, but “we” ourselves. Two short stories on this:

Years ago, I was able to accompany the federal association of a German welfare organization through a participatory process. The process was successful and the seeds of participation began to take effect in other areas. Until a new managing director arrived. He summarily dismissed all participatory approaches. Anything that was not under his control no longer had a place.

A second example: At a one-day conference of full-time employees of a German party that considers itself progressive, new participatory formats were experimented with. At the end, an employee came up to me and said that if we worked like this in the party, it would be truly revolutionary. The revolution did not happen: subsequent conferences were held in the traditional mode again.

What I mean by this is that I believe that resistance to participation does not come from the system, but from within ourselves, from the desire to control, to dominate, from the desire to be right.

These desires are familiar to me. My many years of work as a facilitator have smoothed them out somewhat, as have my conflicts with others. As a facilitator, I have repeatedly observed that different perspectives create a more comprehensive picture.

Participation aims at collective intelligence. This contrasts with ego intelligence. Ego intelligence sees itself as superior to others. Ego intelligence does not need collective intelligence.

By a majority, Americans have elected a particularly intelligent president. He is convinced that he is one of the most intelligent people alive. Everyone else must be fought.

Ego intelligence does not want others to be intelligent too. It wants to shine alone in the spotlight.

If it were a problem of capitalism, socialist experiments would have achieved something different.

So, I believe, we are thrown back on ourselves.

Rolf

Am 03.09.2025 um 19:06 schrieb Michael M Pannwitz via OSList everyone@oslist.org:

Dear Thomas Herrmann,

for me its simple:

Capitalism ist not interested in participation (the real stuff).
Profit is their goal.

And, as Harrison experienced at the end of an ost event a professional consultant said:
"If stuff like open space spreads all of the large consulting firms can close down."
(It would save trillions worldwide if that were the case).

Approaches that widen space and time for selforganisation is a red rag.

I am interested in spreading open space work.
What I re-discovered is that its simple but not easy.

I see colleagues not only polishing our art but also passing it on in
cooperative participative practice.

Greetings from Berlin
mmp

Am 03.09.2025 um 16:27 schrieb Thomas Herrmann via OSList:

I have posted a topic in the Open Space Garden on QiqoChat, and I welcome you to join if you are interested.
Monday Sept 8th at 4 pm CEST. You can find your local time on QiqoChat where this description is again: https://openspace.qiqochat.com/gardens

TOPIC TITLE: How come, that still in 2025, the vast majority of all gatherings in organizations are not highly participative co-creative meetings?

Description:
I have worked with Open Space Technology and other co-creative meetings since almost 30 years. I have trained many facilitators.
The praise for participation is, as it was 1990, high throughout Sweden. Still the gatherings in most organizations look the same... Big table, boss at the end showing slides. Ending with asking “any questions?” Or workshops with lecturer after lecturer... Participation is an exception when it should be the norm. How come? Come share your thoughts on this in a listening circle. This meeting will start with a transfer in to land and focus in our circle, then a listening circle (passing an object around the circle 3 times with an invitation to share). Then a closingcircle. I plan to make an experiment, trying Zoom Assistant for capturing what is said and then I will make a summary to post on OSlist and QiqoChat.
I am using my own link for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81190846862?pwd=YCkLSkhAH4XGRdnuIJwIdabDco0e5U.1&from=addon

Please let me know if you plan to join! Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com
Welcome

Thomas Herrmann
Open Space Consulting AB

Pensévägen 4, 434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden
Telefon: +46 (0)709 98 97 81
Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com
Homepage: www.openspaceconsulting.com http://www.openspaceconsulting.com/ / www.5toFold.com http://www.5tofold.com/
Profile on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsult http://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 & registration https://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
<image001.png>

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

Michael M Pannwitz
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 7728000    mmpannwitz@posteo.de mailto:mmpannwitz@posteo.de

WOSonOS will be in Kenya in November 6th-8th, 2025, have a look
https://www.wosonos2025.org/
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

Ego may sometimes be the issue. My observation is that it is more often fear that keeps people away. The fear of losing control. The fear of the unknown. I was talking with a new colleague recently who is a successful coach. I did not experience her as someone with ego or domination issues. When I described Open Space, her comment was similar to what I often hear from organizational leaders. Fear of losing control, of not knowing what the people in the organization would do if invited to an open meeting. I think the reluctance has far more to do with the high value Western culture tends to put on certainty. We’ve been trained away from trusting the opportunities inherent in exploring the unknown. In these situations I see my work as opening their eyes to the potential for breakthrough and innovation that increases by bringing the diversity of the system together in welcoming conditions around a question that matters. Looking forward to continuing the conversation tomorrow. Thanks, again, Thomas for organizing the call. Peggy _________________________________ Peggy Holman peggy@peggyholman.com Bellevue, WA 98006 206-948-0432 www.peggyholman.com Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity <https://peggyholman.com/papers/engaging-emergence/> "An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get burnt, is to become the fire". -- Drew Dellinger Join the Open Space practitioner’s conference - the World Open Space on Open Space (WOSonOS <https://www.wosonos2025.org/>) - in Kenya, November 6-8. > On Sep 5, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Rolf Schneidereit via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: > > @ Thomas, thank you for your question! For me, it also touches on the topic of participation in society and politics. > > @ Thank you, Michael, for your proposed explanation: “Capitalism is not interested in participation.” > > > > This got me thinking: Is it really that simple? If so, we would “only” have to change the system and everything would be fine. > > I don't think it's that simple. It's not the system, but “we” ourselves. Two short stories on this: > > Years ago, I was able to accompany the federal association of a German welfare organization through a participatory process. The process was successful and the seeds of participation began to take effect in other areas. Until a new managing director arrived. He summarily dismissed all participatory approaches. Anything that was not under his control no longer had a place. > > A second example: At a one-day conference of full-time employees of a German party that considers itself progressive, new participatory formats were experimented with. At the end, an employee came up to me and said that if we worked like this in the party, it would be truly revolutionary. The revolution did not happen: subsequent conferences were held in the traditional mode again. > > > > What I mean by this is that I believe that resistance to participation does not come from the system, but from within ourselves, from the desire to control, to dominate, from the desire to be right. > > These desires are familiar to me. My many years of work as a facilitator have smoothed them out somewhat, as have my conflicts with others. As a facilitator, I have repeatedly observed that different perspectives create a more comprehensive picture. > > > > Participation aims at collective intelligence. This contrasts with ego intelligence. Ego intelligence sees itself as superior to others. Ego intelligence does not need collective intelligence. > > By a majority, Americans have elected a particularly intelligent president. He is convinced that he is one of the most intelligent people alive. Everyone else must be fought. > > Ego intelligence does not want others to be intelligent too. It wants to shine alone in the spotlight. > > > > If it were a problem of capitalism, socialist experiments would have achieved something different. > > So, I believe, we are thrown back on ourselves. > > > Rolf > > > Am 03.09.2025 um 19:06 schrieb Michael M Pannwitz via OSList <everyone@oslist.org>: > > Dear Thomas Herrmann, > > for me its simple: > > Capitalism ist not interested in participation (the real stuff). > Profit is their goal. > > And, as Harrison experienced at the end of an ost event a professional consultant said: > "If stuff like open space spreads all of the large consulting firms can close down." > (It would save trillions worldwide if that were the case). > > Approaches that widen space and time for selforganisation is a red rag. > > I am interested in spreading open space work. > What I re-discovered is that its simple but not easy. > > I see colleagues not only polishing our art but also passing it on in > cooperative participative practice. > > Greetings from Berlin > mmp > > > Am 03.09.2025 um 16:27 schrieb Thomas Herrmann via OSList: >> I have posted a topic in the Open Space Garden on QiqoChat, and I welcome you to join if you are interested. >> Monday Sept 8th at 4 pm CEST. You can find your local time on QiqoChat where this description is again: https://openspace.qiqochat.com/gardens >> >> TOPIC TITLE: How come, that still in 2025, the vast majority of all gatherings in organizations are not highly participative co-creative meetings? >> >> Description: >> I have worked with Open Space Technology and other co-creative meetings since almost 30 years. I have trained many facilitators. >> The praise for participation is, as it was 1990, high throughout Sweden. Still the gatherings in most organizations look the same... Big table, boss at the end showing slides. Ending with asking “any questions?” Or workshops with lecturer after lecturer... Participation is an exception when it should be the norm. How come? Come share your thoughts on this in a listening circle. This meeting will start with a transfer in to land and focus in our circle, then a listening circle (passing an object around the circle 3 times with an invitation to share). Then a closingcircle. I plan to make an experiment, trying Zoom Assistant for capturing what is said and then I will make a summary to post on OSlist and QiqoChat. >> I am using my own link for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81190846862?pwd=YCkLSkhAH4XGRdnuIJwIdabDco0e5U.1&from=addon >> >> Please let me know if you plan to join! Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com <mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com> >> Welcome >> >> Thomas Herrmann >> Open Space Consulting AB >> >> Pensévägen 4, 434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden >> Telefon: +46 (0)709 98 97 81 >> Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com <mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com> >> Homepage: www.openspaceconsulting.com <http://www.openspaceconsulting.com/> / www.5toFold.com <http://www.5tofold.com/> >> Profile on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsult <http://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 & registration <https://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 >> <image001.png> >> >> >> >> >> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org> >> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org <mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org> >> See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org > > Michael M Pannwitz > Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany > +49 30 7728000 mmpannwitz@posteo.de <mailto:mmpannwitz@posteo.de> > > WOSonOS will be in Kenya in November 6th-8th, 2025, have a look > https://www.wosonos2025.org/ > OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org> > To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org <mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org> > See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org > > OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
RS
Rolf Schneidereit
Mon, Sep 8, 2025 6:13 AM

Thank you, Peggy and John, for your perspectives.

Perhaps it makes sense to look at the understanding of the term “ego.”

In my understanding, “disconnection, isolation, otherness” are just as much aspects of the ego as “the fear of losing control” and “the fear of the unknown.” The ego is not only proactively seeking dominance, but can also express itself passively in fear. Perhaps even to this extent: behind the aggressive dominance of a Donald T. lies a huge fear of losing control.

In this sense, I believe that ego is not something to be condemned, but something we should consciously accept as part of our human nature. Only then can it be named and addressed.

True participation means giving up control, trusting the process, and enduring the initial openness to results.

For the client, for the participants, for me as a facilitator—we all have to put aside a piece of our ego (our own intentions and ideas and goals and fears) in order to make something bigger possible together.

Rolf

Am 07.09.2025 um 17:53 schrieb Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org:

Ego may sometimes be the issue. My observation is that it is more often fear that keeps people away. The fear of losing control. The fear of the unknown.  I was talking with a new colleague recently who is a successful coach. I did not experience her as someone with ego or domination issues. When I described Open Space, her comment was similar to what I often hear from organizational leaders. Fear of losing control, of not knowing what the people in the organization would do if invited to an open meeting.

I think the reluctance has far more to do with the high value Western culture tends to put on certainty. We’ve been trained away from trusting the opportunities inherent in exploring the unknown.

In these situations I see my work as opening their eyes to the potential for breakthrough and innovation that increases by bringing the diversity of the system together in welcoming conditions around a question that matters.

Looking forward to continuing the conversation tomorrow.

Thanks, again, Thomas for organizing the call.

Peggy


Peggy Holman
peggy@peggyholman.com

Bellevue, WA  98006
206-948-0432
www.peggyholman.com

Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity https://peggyholman.com/papers/engaging-emergence/

"An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get burnt, is to become
the fire".
-- Drew Dellinger

Join the Open Space practitioner’s conference - the World Open Space on Open Space (WOSonOS https://www.wosonos2025.org/) - in Kenya, November 6-8.

On Sep 5, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Rolf Schneidereit via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:

@ Thomas, thank you for your question! For me, it also touches on the topic of participation in society and politics.

@ Thank you, Michael, for your proposed explanation: “Capitalism is not interested in participation.”

This got me thinking: Is it really that simple? If so, we would “only” have to change the system and everything would be fine.

I don't think it's that simple. It's not the system, but “we” ourselves. Two short stories on this:

Years ago, I was able to accompany the federal association of a German welfare organization through a participatory process. The process was successful and the seeds of participation began to take effect in other areas. Until a new managing director arrived. He summarily dismissed all participatory approaches. Anything that was not under his control no longer had a place.

A second example: At a one-day conference of full-time employees of a German party that considers itself progressive, new participatory formats were experimented with. At the end, an employee came up to me and said that if we worked like this in the party, it would be truly revolutionary. The revolution did not happen: subsequent conferences were held in the traditional mode again.

What I mean by this is that I believe that resistance to participation does not come from the system, but from within ourselves, from the desire to control, to dominate, from the desire to be right.

These desires are familiar to me. My many years of work as a facilitator have smoothed them out somewhat, as have my conflicts with others. As a facilitator, I have repeatedly observed that different perspectives create a more comprehensive picture.

Participation aims at collective intelligence. This contrasts with ego intelligence. Ego intelligence sees itself as superior to others. Ego intelligence does not need collective intelligence.

By a majority, Americans have elected a particularly intelligent president. He is convinced that he is one of the most intelligent people alive. Everyone else must be fought.

Ego intelligence does not want others to be intelligent too. It wants to shine alone in the spotlight.

If it were a problem of capitalism, socialist experiments would have achieved something different.

So, I believe, we are thrown back on ourselves.

Rolf

Am 03.09.2025 um 19:06 schrieb Michael M Pannwitz via OSList everyone@oslist.org:

Dear Thomas Herrmann,

for me its simple:

Capitalism ist not interested in participation (the real stuff).
Profit is their goal.

And, as Harrison experienced at the end of an ost event a professional consultant said:
"If stuff like open space spreads all of the large consulting firms can close down."
(It would save trillions worldwide if that were the case).

Approaches that widen space and time for selforganisation is a red rag.

I am interested in spreading open space work.
What I re-discovered is that its simple but not easy.

I see colleagues not only polishing our art but also passing it on in
cooperative participative practice.

Greetings from Berlin
mmp

Am 03.09.2025 um 16:27 schrieb Thomas Herrmann via OSList:

I have posted a topic in the Open Space Garden on QiqoChat, and I welcome you to join if you are interested.
Monday Sept 8th at 4 pm CEST. You can find your local time on QiqoChat where this description is again: https://openspace.qiqochat.com/gardens

TOPIC TITLE: How come, that still in 2025, the vast majority of all gatherings in organizations are not highly participative co-creative meetings?

Description:
I have worked with Open Space Technology and other co-creative meetings since almost 30 years. I have trained many facilitators.
The praise for participation is, as it was 1990, high throughout Sweden. Still the gatherings in most organizations look the same... Big table, boss at the end showing slides. Ending with asking “any questions?” Or workshops with lecturer after lecturer... Participation is an exception when it should be the norm. How come? Come share your thoughts on this in a listening circle. This meeting will start with a transfer in to land and focus in our circle, then a listening circle (passing an object around the circle 3 times with an invitation to share). Then a closingcircle. I plan to make an experiment, trying Zoom Assistant for capturing what is said and then I will make a summary to post on OSlist and QiqoChat.
I am using my own link for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81190846862?pwd=YCkLSkhAH4XGRdnuIJwIdabDco0e5U.1&from=addon

Please let me know if you plan to join! Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com
Welcome

Thomas Herrmann
Open Space Consulting AB

Pensévägen 4, 434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden
Telefon: +46 (0)709 98 97 81
Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com
Homepage: www.openspaceconsulting.com http://www.openspaceconsulting.com/ / www.5toFold.com http://www.5tofold.com/
Profile on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsult http://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 & registration https://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
<image001.png>

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

Michael M Pannwitz
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 7728000    mmpannwitz@posteo.de mailto:mmpannwitz@posteo.de

WOSonOS will be in Kenya in November 6th-8th, 2025, have a look
https://www.wosonos2025.org/
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

Thank you, Peggy and John, for your perspectives. Perhaps it makes sense to look at the understanding of the term “ego.” In my understanding, “disconnection, isolation, otherness” are just as much aspects of the ego as “the fear of losing control” and “the fear of the unknown.” The ego is not only proactively seeking dominance, but can also express itself passively in fear. Perhaps even to this extent: behind the aggressive dominance of a Donald T. lies a huge fear of losing control. In this sense, I believe that ego is not something to be condemned, but something we should consciously accept as part of our human nature. Only then can it be named and addressed. True participation means giving up control, trusting the process, and enduring the initial openness to results. For the client, for the participants, for me as a facilitator—we all have to put aside a piece of our ego (our own intentions and ideas and goals and fears) in order to make something bigger possible together. Rolf Am 07.09.2025 um 17:53 schrieb Peggy Holman via OSList <everyone@oslist.org>: Ego may sometimes be the issue. My observation is that it is more often fear that keeps people away. The fear of losing control. The fear of the unknown. I was talking with a new colleague recently who is a successful coach. I did not experience her as someone with ego or domination issues. When I described Open Space, her comment was similar to what I often hear from organizational leaders. Fear of losing control, of not knowing what the people in the organization would do if invited to an open meeting. I think the reluctance has far more to do with the high value Western culture tends to put on certainty. We’ve been trained away from trusting the opportunities inherent in exploring the unknown. In these situations I see my work as opening their eyes to the potential for breakthrough and innovation that increases by bringing the diversity of the system together in welcoming conditions around a question that matters. Looking forward to continuing the conversation tomorrow. Thanks, again, Thomas for organizing the call. Peggy _________________________________ Peggy Holman peggy@peggyholman.com Bellevue, WA 98006 206-948-0432 www.peggyholman.com Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity <https://peggyholman.com/papers/engaging-emergence/> "An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get burnt, is to become the fire". -- Drew Dellinger Join the Open Space practitioner’s conference - the World Open Space on Open Space (WOSonOS <https://www.wosonos2025.org/>) - in Kenya, November 6-8. > On Sep 5, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Rolf Schneidereit via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: > > @ Thomas, thank you for your question! For me, it also touches on the topic of participation in society and politics. > > @ Thank you, Michael, for your proposed explanation: “Capitalism is not interested in participation.” > > > > This got me thinking: Is it really that simple? If so, we would “only” have to change the system and everything would be fine. > > I don't think it's that simple. It's not the system, but “we” ourselves. Two short stories on this: > > Years ago, I was able to accompany the federal association of a German welfare organization through a participatory process. The process was successful and the seeds of participation began to take effect in other areas. Until a new managing director arrived. He summarily dismissed all participatory approaches. Anything that was not under his control no longer had a place. > > A second example: At a one-day conference of full-time employees of a German party that considers itself progressive, new participatory formats were experimented with. At the end, an employee came up to me and said that if we worked like this in the party, it would be truly revolutionary. The revolution did not happen: subsequent conferences were held in the traditional mode again. > > > > What I mean by this is that I believe that resistance to participation does not come from the system, but from within ourselves, from the desire to control, to dominate, from the desire to be right. > > These desires are familiar to me. My many years of work as a facilitator have smoothed them out somewhat, as have my conflicts with others. As a facilitator, I have repeatedly observed that different perspectives create a more comprehensive picture. > > > > Participation aims at collective intelligence. This contrasts with ego intelligence. Ego intelligence sees itself as superior to others. Ego intelligence does not need collective intelligence. > > By a majority, Americans have elected a particularly intelligent president. He is convinced that he is one of the most intelligent people alive. Everyone else must be fought. > > Ego intelligence does not want others to be intelligent too. It wants to shine alone in the spotlight. > > > > If it were a problem of capitalism, socialist experiments would have achieved something different. > > So, I believe, we are thrown back on ourselves. > > > Rolf > > > Am 03.09.2025 um 19:06 schrieb Michael M Pannwitz via OSList <everyone@oslist.org>: > > Dear Thomas Herrmann, > > for me its simple: > > Capitalism ist not interested in participation (the real stuff). > Profit is their goal. > > And, as Harrison experienced at the end of an ost event a professional consultant said: > "If stuff like open space spreads all of the large consulting firms can close down." > (It would save trillions worldwide if that were the case). > > Approaches that widen space and time for selforganisation is a red rag. > > I am interested in spreading open space work. > What I re-discovered is that its simple but not easy. > > I see colleagues not only polishing our art but also passing it on in > cooperative participative practice. > > Greetings from Berlin > mmp > > > Am 03.09.2025 um 16:27 schrieb Thomas Herrmann via OSList: >> I have posted a topic in the Open Space Garden on QiqoChat, and I welcome you to join if you are interested. >> Monday Sept 8th at 4 pm CEST. You can find your local time on QiqoChat where this description is again: https://openspace.qiqochat.com/gardens >> >> TOPIC TITLE: How come, that still in 2025, the vast majority of all gatherings in organizations are not highly participative co-creative meetings? >> >> Description: >> I have worked with Open Space Technology and other co-creative meetings since almost 30 years. I have trained many facilitators. >> The praise for participation is, as it was 1990, high throughout Sweden. Still the gatherings in most organizations look the same... Big table, boss at the end showing slides. Ending with asking “any questions?” Or workshops with lecturer after lecturer... Participation is an exception when it should be the norm. How come? Come share your thoughts on this in a listening circle. This meeting will start with a transfer in to land and focus in our circle, then a listening circle (passing an object around the circle 3 times with an invitation to share). Then a closingcircle. I plan to make an experiment, trying Zoom Assistant for capturing what is said and then I will make a summary to post on OSlist and QiqoChat. >> I am using my own link for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81190846862?pwd=YCkLSkhAH4XGRdnuIJwIdabDco0e5U.1&from=addon >> >> Please let me know if you plan to join! Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com <mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com> >> Welcome >> >> Thomas Herrmann >> Open Space Consulting AB >> >> Pensévägen 4, 434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden >> Telefon: +46 (0)709 98 97 81 >> Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com <mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com> >> Homepage: www.openspaceconsulting.com <http://www.openspaceconsulting.com/> / www.5toFold.com <http://www.5tofold.com/> >> Profile on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsult <http://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 & registration <https://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 >> <image001.png> >> >> >> >> >> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org> >> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org <mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org> >> See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org > > Michael M Pannwitz > Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany > +49 30 7728000 mmpannwitz@posteo.de <mailto:mmpannwitz@posteo.de> > > WOSonOS will be in Kenya in November 6th-8th, 2025, have a look > https://www.wosonos2025.org/ > OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org> > To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org <mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org> > See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org > > OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
TP
Thomas Perret
Mon, Sep 8, 2025 8:22 AM

In the few managerial positions I have held (including being someone who is expected to call meetings) my salary level was higher ”my subordinates’”correlating with the higher formal rank.

Also I suggest that the higher formal rank came with an unspoken notion that, for our purposes and true or false, I was able to think, see or navigate on a correspondingly ”higher” level.

Maybe in front of a participatory meeting I would notice — or even subconsciously (?!) sense — that it might collectively evoke parts of the ”substance” that I’m paid to bring …?

Sometimes I think I am attuned to moments when keeping my eyes straight in front saves me from trouble. And sometimes my conscience might whisper to look to ”that thing” on the side, and everything it might bring …

Mmp quoted a consultant below: ” If stuff like open space spreads all of the large consulting firms can close down.”

Compassionately I know when I have seen a spot better for ME I have found it compelling to step into it.

From a manager position, could a participatory meeting seem like a better spot? If yes, would that situation look like ………………………………………………………………………………………:…………….:………….. what?

Pondering,

Thomas

___

All is possible together

On 8. Sep 2025, at 9.14, Rolf Schneidereit via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

Thank you, Peggy and John, for your perspectives.

Perhaps it makes sense to look at the understanding of the term “ego.”

In my understanding, “disconnection, isolation, otherness” are just as much aspects of the ego as “the fear of losing control” and “the fear of the unknown.” The ego is not only proactively seeking dominance, but can also express itself passively in fear. Perhaps even to this extent: behind the aggressive dominance of a Donald T. lies a huge fear of losing control.

In this sense, I believe that ego is not something to be condemned, but something we should consciously accept as part of our human nature. Only then can it be named and addressed.

True participation means giving up control, trusting the process, and enduring the initial openness to results.

For the client, for the participants, for me as a facilitator—we all have to put aside a piece of our ego (our own intentions and ideas and goals and fears) in order to make something bigger possible together.

Rolf

Am 07.09.2025 um 17:53 schrieb Peggy Holman via OSList <everyone@oslist.org>:

Ego may sometimes be the issue. My observation is that it is more often fear that keeps people away. The fear of losing control. The fear of the unknown. I was talking with a new colleague recently who is a successful coach. I did not experience her as someone with ego or domination issues. When I described Open Space, her comment was similar to what I often hear from organizational leaders. Fear of losing control, of not knowing what the people in the organization would do if invited to an open meeting.

I think the reluctance has far more to do with the high value Western culture tends to put on certainty. We’ve been trained away from trusting the opportunities inherent in exploring the unknown.

In these situations I see my work as opening their eyes to the potential for breakthrough and innovation that increases by bringing the diversity of the system together in welcoming conditions around a question that matters.

Looking forward to continuing the conversation tomorrow.

Thanks, again, Thomas for organizing the call.

Peggy


Peggy Holman

peggy@peggyholman.com

Bellevue, WA 98006
206-948-0432
www.peggyholman.com

Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity

"An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get burnt, is to become
the fire".
-- Drew Dellinger

Join the Open Space practitioner’s conference - the World Open Space on Open Space (WOSonOS) - in Kenya, November 6-8.

On Sep 5, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Rolf Schneidereit via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

@ Thomas, thank you for your question! For me, it also touches on the topic of participation in society and politics.

@ Thank you, Michael, for your proposed explanation: “Capitalism is not interested in participation.”

This got me thinking: Is it really that simple? If so, we would “only” have to change the system and everything would be fine.

I don't think it's that simple. It's not the system, but “we” ourselves. Two short stories on this:

Years ago, I was able to accompany the federal association of a German welfare organization through a participatory process. The process was successful and the seeds of participation began to take effect in other areas. Until a new managing director arrived. He summarily dismissed all participatory approaches. Anything that was not under his control no longer had a place.

A second example: At a one-day conference of full-time employees of a German party that considers itself progressive, new participatory formats were experimented with. At the end, an employee came up to me and said that if we worked like this in the party, it would be truly revolutionary. The revolution did not happen: subsequent conferences were held in the traditional mode again.

What I mean by this is that I believe that resistance to participation does not come from the system, but from within ourselves, from the desire to control, to dominate, from the desire to be right.

These desires are familiar to me. My many years of work as a facilitator have smoothed them out somewhat, as have my conflicts with others. As a facilitator, I have repeatedly observed that different perspectives create a more comprehensive picture.

Participation aims at collective intelligence. This contrasts with ego intelligence. Ego intelligence sees itself as superior to others. Ego intelligence does not need collective intelligence.

By a majority, Americans have elected a particularly intelligent president. He is convinced that he is one of the most intelligent people alive. Everyone else must be fought.

Ego intelligence does not want others to be intelligent too. It wants to shine alone in the spotlight.

If it were a problem of capitalism, socialist experiments would have achieved something different.

So, I believe, we are thrown back on ourselves.

Rolf

Am 03.09.2025 um 19:06 schrieb Michael M Pannwitz via OSList <everyone@oslist.org>:

Dear Thomas Herrmann,

for me its simple:

Capitalism ist not interested in participation (the real stuff).
Profit is their goal.

And, as Harrison experienced at the end of an ost event a professional consultant said:
"If stuff like open space spreads all of the large consulting firms can close down."
(It would save trillions worldwide if that were the case).

Approaches that widen space and time for selforganisation is a red rag.

I am interested in spreading open space work.
What I re-discovered is that its simple but not easy.

I see colleagues not only polishing our art but also passing it on in
cooperative participative practice.

Greetings from Berlin
mmp

Am 03.09.2025 um 16:27 schrieb Thomas Herrmann via OSList:

I have posted a topic in the Open Space Garden on QiqoChat, and I welcome you to join if you are interested.

Monday Sept 8th at 4 pm CEST. You can find your local time on QiqoChat where this description is again: https://openspace.qiqochat.com/gardens

TOPIC TITLE: How come, that still in 2025, the vast majority of all gatherings in organizations are not highly participative co-creative meetings?

Description:

I have worked with Open Space Technology and other co-creative meetings since almost 30 years. I have trained many facilitators.

The praise for participation is, as it was 1990, high throughout Sweden. Still the gatherings in most organizations look the same... Big table, boss at the end showing slides. Ending with asking “any questions?” Or workshops with lecturer after lecturer... Participation is an exception when it should be the norm. How come? Come share your thoughts on this in a listening circle. This meeting will start with a transfer in to land and focus in our circle, then a listening circle (passing an object around the circle 3 times with an invitation to share). Then a closingcircle. I plan to make an experiment, trying Zoom Assistant for capturing what is said and then I will make a summary to post on OSlist and QiqoChat.

I am using my own link for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81190846862?pwd=YCkLSkhAH4XGRdnuIJwIdabDco0e5U.1&from=addon

Please let me know if you plan to join! Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com

Welcome

Thomas Herrmann

Open Space Consulting AB

Pensévägen 4, 434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden

Telefon: +46 (0)709 98 97 81

Email: thomas@openspaceconsulting.com

Homepage: www.openspaceconsulting.com / www.5toFold.com

Profile on LinkedIn: 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 & registration)

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

<image001.png>

<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">OSList mailing list -- <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:everyone@oslist.org" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134); text-decoration: underline;">everyone@oslist.org</a>
To unsubscribe send an email to <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134); text-decoration: underline;">everyone-leave@oslist.org</a>
See the archives here: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134); text-decoration: underline;">https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org</a>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72" signature-switch-id="886ea44f-b30f-4cd4-82dc-0d40cf7e04df" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Michael M Pannwitz
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 7728000     <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:mmpannwitz@posteo.de" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134); text-decoration: underline;">mmpannwitz@posteo.de</a>

WOSonOS will be in Kenya in November 6th-8th, 2025, have a look
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.wosonos2025.org/" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134); text-decoration: underline;">https://www.wosonos2025.org/</a>

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

MM
Michael M Pannwitz
Mon, Sep 8, 2025 9:07 AM

Dear Rolf,

can you read German?

I dug up an article in a government Information publication back in
1973 (I was 33 years old).
My colleague Jochen Lude and I wrote a piece as Gemeinwesenarbeiter
(community organization)
which reading it let me think "could have been written today" (now I am
85).

If you can read German, I will send it to you and to anyone else who
wants it.
It focuses on
"Citizens' initiatives - participation of those affected"

Greetings from a sunny day in Berlin
mmp

Am 08.09.2025 um 08:13 schrieb Rolf Schneidereit via OSList:

Thank you, Peggy and John, for your perspectives.

Perhaps it makes sense to look at the understanding of the term “ego.”

In my understanding, “disconnection, isolation, otherness” are just as
much aspects of the ego as “the fear of losing control” and “the fear
of the unknown.” The ego is not only proactively seeking dominance,
but can also express itself passively in fear. Perhaps even to this
extent: behind the aggressive dominance of a Donald T. lies a huge
fear of losing control.

In this sense, I believe that ego is not something to be condemned,
but something we should consciously accept as part of our human
nature. Only then can it be named and addressed.

True participation means giving up control, trusting the process, and
enduring the initial openness to results.

For the client, for the participants, for me as a facilitator—we all
have to put aside a piece of our ego (our own intentions and ideas and
goals and fears) in order to make something bigger possible together.

Rolf

Am 07.09.2025 um 17:53 schrieb Peggy Holman via OSList
everyone@oslist.org:

Ego may sometimes be the issue. My observation is that it is more
often fear that keeps people away. The fear of losing control. The
fear of the unknown.  I was talking with a new colleague recently who
is a successful coach. I did not experience her as someone with ego or
domination issues. When I described Open Space, her comment was
similar to what I often hear from organizational leaders. Fear of
losing control, of not knowing what the people in the organization
would do if invited to an open meeting.

I think the reluctance has far more to do with the high value Western
culture tends to put on certainty. We’ve been trained away from
trusting the opportunities inherent in exploring the unknown.

In these situations I see my work as opening their eyes to the
potential for breakthrough and innovation that increases by bringing
the diversity of the system together in welcoming conditions around a
question that matters.

Looking forward to continuing the conversation tomorrow.

Thanks, again, Thomas for organizing the call.

Peggy


Peggy Holman
peggy@peggyholman.com

Bellevue, WA  98006
206-948-0432
www.peggyholman.com

Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval
into Opportunity https://peggyholman.com/papers/engaging-emergence/

"An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get
burnt, is to become
the fire".
  -- Drew Dellinger

Join the Open Space practitioner’s conference - the World Open Space
on Open Space (WOSonOS https://www.wosonos2025.org/) - in
Kenya, November 6-8.

On Sep 5, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Rolf Schneidereit via OSList
everyone@oslist.org wrote:

@ Thomas, thank you for your question! For me, it also touches on the
topic of participation in society and politics.

@ Thank you, Michael, for your proposed explanation: “Capitalism is
not interested in participation.”

This got me thinking: Is it really that simple? If so, we would
“only” have to change the system and everything would be fine.

I don't think it's that simple. It's not the system, but “we”
ourselves. Two short stories on this:

Years ago, I was able to accompany the federal association of a
German welfare organization through a participatory process. The
process was successful and the seeds of participation began to take
effect in other areas. Until a new managing director arrived. He
summarily dismissed all participatory approaches. Anything that was
not under his control no longer had a place.

A second example: At a one-day conference of full-time employees of a
German party that considers itself progressive, new participatory
formats were experimented with. At the end, an employee came up to me
and said that if we worked like this in the party, it would be truly
revolutionary. The revolution did not happen: subsequent conferences
were held in the traditional mode again.

What I mean by this is that I believe that resistance to
participation does not come from the system, but from within
ourselves, from the desire to control, to dominate, from the desire
to be right.

These desires are familiar to me. My many years of work as a
facilitator have smoothed them out somewhat, as have my conflicts
with others. As a facilitator, I have repeatedly observed that
different perspectives create a more comprehensive picture.

Participation aims at collective intelligence. This contrasts with
ego intelligence. Ego intelligence sees itself as superior to others.
Ego intelligence does not need collective intelligence.

By a majority, Americans have elected a particularly intelligent
president. He is convinced that he is one of the most intelligent
people alive. Everyone else must be fought.

Ego intelligence does not want others to be intelligent too. It wants
to shine alone in the spotlight.

If it were a problem of capitalism, socialist experiments would have
achieved something different.

So, I believe, we are thrown back on ourselves.

Rolf

Am 03.09.2025 um 19:06 schrieb Michael M Pannwitz via OSList
everyone@oslist.org:

Dear Thomas Herrmann,

for me its simple:

Capitalism ist not interested in participation (the real stuff).
Profit is their goal.

And, as Harrison experienced at the end of an ost event a
professional consultant said:
"If stuff like open space spreads all of the large consulting firms
can close down."
(It would save trillions worldwide if that were the case).

Approaches that widen space and time for selforganisation is a red rag.

I am interested in spreading open space work.
What I re-discovered is that its simple but not easy.

I see colleagues not only polishing our art but also passing it on in
cooperative participative practice.

Greetings from Berlin
mmp

Am 03.09.2025 um 16:27 schrieb Thomas Herrmann via OSList:

I have posted a topic in the Open Space Garden on QiqoChat, and I
welcome you to join if you are interested.
Monday Sept 8th at 4 pm CEST. You can find your local time on
QiqoChat where this description is
again:https://openspace.qiqochat.com/gardens
TOPIC TITLE: How come, that still in 2025, the vast majority of all
gatherings in organizations are not highly participative co-creative
meetings?
Description:
I have worked with Open Space Technology and other co-creative
meetings since almost 30 years. I have trained many facilitators.
The praise for participation is, as it was 1990, high throughout
Sweden. Still the gatherings in most organizations look the same...
Big table, boss at the end showing slides. Ending with asking “any
questions?” Or workshops with lecturer after lecturer...
Participation is an exception when it should be the norm. How come?
Come share your thoughts on this in a listening circle. This meeting
will start with a transfer in to land and focus in our circle, then
a listening circle (passing an object around the circle 3 times with
an invitation to share). Then a closingcircle. I plan to make an
experiment, trying Zoom Assistant for capturing what is said and
then I will make a summary to post on OSlist and QiqoChat.
I am using my own link for this
meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81190846862?pwd=YCkLSkhAH4XGRdnuIJwIdabDco0e5U.1&from=addon
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81190846862?pwd=YCkLSkhAH4XGRdnuIJwIdabDco0e5U.1&from=addon
Please let me know if you plan to join!
Email:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com
Welcome
Thomas Herrmann
Open Space Consulting AB
Pensévägen 4, 434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden
Telefon: +46 (0)709 98 97 81
Email:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com
mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com
Homepage:www.openspaceconsulting.com
http://www.openspaceconsulting.com//www.5toFold.com
http://www.5tofold.com/
Profile on
LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsult
http://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 & registration
https://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 foronline learning - selfstudy +
mentoring
– leadership and facilitation incl Open Space
<image001.png>

OSList mailing list --everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email toeveryone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here:https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

OSList mailing list --everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email toeveryone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here:https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
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Michael M Pannwitz
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin
+49 30 7728000mmpannwitz@posteo.de

Dear Rolf, can you read German? I dug up an article in a government Information publication back in 1973 (I was 33 years old). My colleague Jochen Lude and I wrote a piece as Gemeinwesenarbeiter (community organization) which reading it let me think "could have been written today" (now I am 85). If you can read German, I will send it to you and to anyone else who wants it. It focuses on "Citizens' initiatives - participation of those affected" Greetings from a sunny day in Berlin mmp Am 08.09.2025 um 08:13 schrieb Rolf Schneidereit via OSList: > > Thank you, Peggy and John, for your perspectives. > > Perhaps it makes sense to look at the understanding of the term “ego.” > > In my understanding, “disconnection, isolation, otherness” are just as > much aspects of the ego as “the fear of losing control” and “the fear > of the unknown.” The ego is not only proactively seeking dominance, > but can also express itself passively in fear. Perhaps even to this > extent: behind the aggressive dominance of a Donald T. lies a huge > fear of losing control. > > In this sense, I believe that ego is not something to be condemned, > but something we should consciously accept as part of our human > nature. Only then can it be named and addressed. > > True participation means giving up control, trusting the process, and > enduring the initial openness to results. > > For the client, for the participants, for me as a facilitator—we all > have to put aside a piece of our ego (our own intentions and ideas and > goals and fears) in order to make something bigger possible together. > > Rolf > > > > > Am 07.09.2025 um 17:53 schrieb Peggy Holman via OSList > <everyone@oslist.org>: > > Ego may sometimes be the issue. My observation is that it is more > often fear that keeps people away. The fear of losing control. The > fear of the unknown.  I was talking with a new colleague recently who > is a successful coach. I did not experience her as someone with ego or > domination issues. When I described Open Space, her comment was > similar to what I often hear from organizational leaders. Fear of > losing control, of not knowing what the people in the organization > would do if invited to an open meeting. > > I think the reluctance has far more to do with the high value Western > culture tends to put on certainty. We’ve been trained away from > trusting the opportunities inherent in exploring the unknown. > > In these situations I see my work as opening their eyes to the > potential for breakthrough and innovation that increases by bringing > the diversity of the system together in welcoming conditions around a > question that matters. > > Looking forward to continuing the conversation tomorrow. > > Thanks, again, Thomas for organizing the call. > > Peggy > > > > _________________________________ > Peggy Holman > peggy@peggyholman.com > > Bellevue, WA  98006 > 206-948-0432 > www.peggyholman.com > > Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval > into Opportunity <https://peggyholman.com/papers/engaging-emergence/> > > "An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get > burnt, is to become > the fire". >   -- Drew Dellinger > > Join the Open Space practitioner’s conference - the World Open Space > on Open Space (WOSonOS <https://www.wosonos2025.org/>) - in > Kenya, November 6-8. > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> On Sep 5, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Rolf Schneidereit via OSList >> <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: >> >> @ Thomas, thank you for your question! For me, it also touches on the >> topic of participation in society and politics. >> >> @ Thank you, Michael, for your proposed explanation: “Capitalism is >> not interested in participation.” >> >> >> This got me thinking: Is it really that simple? If so, we would >> “only” have to change the system and everything would be fine. >> >> I don't think it's that simple. It's not the system, but “we” >> ourselves. Two short stories on this: >> >> Years ago, I was able to accompany the federal association of a >> German welfare organization through a participatory process. The >> process was successful and the seeds of participation began to take >> effect in other areas. Until a new managing director arrived. He >> summarily dismissed all participatory approaches. Anything that was >> not under his control no longer had a place. >> >> A second example: At a one-day conference of full-time employees of a >> German party that considers itself progressive, new participatory >> formats were experimented with. At the end, an employee came up to me >> and said that if we worked like this in the party, it would be truly >> revolutionary. The revolution did not happen: subsequent conferences >> were held in the traditional mode again. >> >> >> What I mean by this is that I believe that resistance to >> participation does not come from the system, but from within >> ourselves, from the desire to control, to dominate, from the desire >> to be right. >> >> These desires are familiar to me. My many years of work as a >> facilitator have smoothed them out somewhat, as have my conflicts >> with others. As a facilitator, I have repeatedly observed that >> different perspectives create a more comprehensive picture. >> >> >> Participation aims at collective intelligence. This contrasts with >> ego intelligence. Ego intelligence sees itself as superior to others. >> Ego intelligence does not need collective intelligence. >> >> By a majority, Americans have elected a particularly intelligent >> president. He is convinced that he is one of the most intelligent >> people alive. Everyone else must be fought. >> >> Ego intelligence does not want others to be intelligent too. It wants >> to shine alone in the spotlight. >> >> >> If it were a problem of capitalism, socialist experiments would have >> achieved something different. >> >> So, I believe, we are thrown back on ourselves. >> >> >> Rolf >> >> >> Am 03.09.2025 um 19:06 schrieb Michael M Pannwitz via OSList >> <everyone@oslist.org>: >> >> Dear Thomas Herrmann, >> >> for me its simple: >> >> Capitalism ist not interested in participation (the real stuff). >> Profit is their goal. >> >> And, as Harrison experienced at the end of an ost event a >> professional consultant said: >> "If stuff like open space spreads all of the large consulting firms >> can close down." >> (It would save trillions worldwide if that were the case). >> >> Approaches that widen space and time for selforganisation is a red rag. >> >> I am interested in spreading open space work. >> What I re-discovered is that its simple but not easy. >> >> I see colleagues not only polishing our art but also passing it on in >> cooperative participative practice. >> >> Greetings from Berlin >> mmp >> >> Am 03.09.2025 um 16:27 schrieb Thomas Herrmann via OSList: >>> I have posted a topic in the Open Space Garden on QiqoChat, and I >>> welcome you to join if you are interested. >>> Monday Sept 8th at 4 pm CEST. You can find your local time on >>> QiqoChat where this description is >>> again:https://openspace.qiqochat.com/gardens >>> TOPIC TITLE: How come, that still in 2025, the vast majority of all >>> gatherings in organizations are not highly participative co-creative >>> meetings? >>> Description: >>> I have worked with Open Space Technology and other co-creative >>> meetings since almost 30 years. I have trained many facilitators. >>> The praise for participation is, as it was 1990, high throughout >>> Sweden. Still the gatherings in most organizations look the same... >>> Big table, boss at the end showing slides. Ending with asking “any >>> questions?” Or workshops with lecturer after lecturer... >>> Participation is an exception when it should be the norm. How come? >>> Come share your thoughts on this in a listening circle. This meeting >>> will start with a transfer in to land and focus in our circle, then >>> a listening circle (passing an object around the circle 3 times with >>> an invitation to share). Then a closingcircle. I plan to make an >>> experiment, trying Zoom Assistant for capturing what is said and >>> then I will make a summary to post on OSlist and QiqoChat. >>> I am using my own link for this >>> meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81190846862?pwd=YCkLSkhAH4XGRdnuIJwIdabDco0e5U.1&from=addon >>> <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81190846862?pwd=YCkLSkhAH4XGRdnuIJwIdabDco0e5U.1&from=addon> >>> Please let me know if you plan to join! >>> Email:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com >>> Welcome >>> Thomas Herrmann >>> Open Space Consulting AB >>> Pensévägen 4, 434 46 Kungsbacka, Sweden >>> Telefon: +46 (0)709 98 97 81 >>> Email:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com >>> <mailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com> >>> Homepage:www.openspaceconsulting.com >>> <http://www.openspaceconsulting.com/>/www.5toFold.com >>> <http://www.5tofold.com/> >>> Profile on >>> LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsult >>> <http://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 & registration >>> <https://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 >>> <image001.png> >>> >>> OSList mailing list --everyone@oslist.org >>> To unsubscribe send an email toeveryone-leave@oslist.org >>> See the archives here:https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >> >> OSList mailing list --everyone@oslist.org >> To unsubscribe send an email toeveryone-leave@oslist.org >> See the archives here:https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >> >> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org >> See the archives here: >> https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org > > OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org > > > OSList mailing list --everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email toeveryone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here:https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org Michael M Pannwitz Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin +49 30 7728000mmpannwitz@posteo.de