Hi Kári and thanks for your clarification (also Marc 😊)
I agree with Birgitt that its often possible to find a “bigger” or deeper purpose. Anyhow I still quite often work with organizations to get going on a specific issue or opportunity.
I started my own business 23 years ago from being in love with Open Space Technology and feeling a passion to let more people have a taste and maybe choose to continue using it. I had a quite big network and this beautiful process to offer the world. I thought it would be “a piece of cake” but it took about a year of working full time as a freelancer to start to have a stable income… Through the years I had some downs but mostly I have been able to make a good living from it.

I was so extremely lucky that I got support from the organization I chose to leave, it was downsizing and those who chose to leave got some support to find new ways… I could keep my salary for 6 months and I also had money to attend different trainings – with Harrison and also to go through most of the Genuine Contact program! On top of that I had another 6 months with support from the Employment Agence – for new startups…! It was of course really helpful to be able to focus 100% to get going. Well that “luck” is not there for everyone and not having other income or having to spend part of your time doing other work makes a bit harder I guess. I am grateful for this opportunity I got and took!

If I think of some of the success factors I can see these for me are:

• I started “blank” – didn’t do other consulting work, so my focus was very clear from the beginning. I have met other consultants who have a lot of other methods and tools and keep getting assignments from their old business that they want to leave. Some of them seem to be stuck.
• I found a holistic way of working all through all interactions with my clients, when I learnt the components of the Genuine Contact program, especially Whole Person Process Facilitation was for me a perfect match to OST. Since then I work from the same approach all through my assignments. I’ve facilitated in circle ever since and kept on learning until now and onwards.
  *  The focus on solid pre-work and follow ups I find lead to good “results” and also costs more time/money. This has kept growing which in my view has many benefits to the client by being better prepared and attending to the follow up better. For me it has been about opening space for them to reflect on where they want to go respectively afterwards on what happened and how they want to move on. Several exposures to co-creative ways of working, sometimes inhouse trainings supporting them to continue on this path.
• I started giving trainings already a couple of years after having “met” OST and GC. Some people warned me as they perceived that I train competitors. It is very clear to me that by spreading knowledge about OST more work came my way and keeps on coming.
• I connected to the OST, GC, AoH (Art of Hosting) communities among others. Including attending/arranging learning exchanges and learning on the lists like this.
• I have been trying to be generous in different ways.
• I have done my best to get well paid for the high quality I deliver. Several of my collegues were “impressed” that I charged as much as I do. It is partly connected to the time I put into supporting my clients before and after an OST. Some of these collegues sadly went out of business not being able to have enough income.
• I love my work, I love people, I love myself 😊
• I’ve kept on learning and growing personally through many different paths for my own development. I am my most important “tool”.
• I run my own company, cooperate with others who have their own company – this has worked fine for me.
• I have taken help with financials, book keeping etc that I don’t enjoy.
• My focus is more on being of service and doing the work I love than getting rich
• I attend to my own health and balance
• I’ve shared stories on different forums such as social media
• I know how to facilitate as well online as in-person
• It is also helpful that my wife has a steady income from employment, Mia is a teacher, thank you <3

Some learnings

• Sometimes I spent much time planning new ways to cooperate with others. I think it has sometimes not been so fruitful when it comes to business. If its about getting more business (doing the work I love) it may be better to find a project and do it. I think its much easier if it’s a person who has same values and good knowledge about the ways I want to work with clients.
• It’s not so easy to offer open trainings, but it gives good exposure and spreads the word and comes back to me – and its fun and very rewarding in many ways, to give trainings.
• I walk my talk. I don’t come into organizations and give lectures about how I work. I offer them an experience of a well facilitated circle.
• I’ve consistently worked from the same approach – opening space for co-creation using different methods. I searched until I found what methods that suited me, then focused on that and still being curious of “new” ways.
• Being part of the Genuine Contact Organization gives me many opportunities to practice and apply what I “teach”. I’ve taken many opportunities volunteering to facilitate different processes. Much of that I have taken out to my client work.

What worked for you?

I wish we can support each other to share our gifts in the world, they are greatly needed. I have a strong belief that every time we open space in a well facilitated circle (using whatever “method” – the world becomes a better place.

With love
Thomas Herrmann

Från: Marc C. Trudeau marctrudeau@alum.wpi.edu
Skickat: den 11 april 2023 15:14
Till: Kári Gunnarsson kortleggur@gmail.com
Kopia: Thomas Herrmann thomas@openspaceconsulting.com; OSList (email to post) everyone@oslist.org
Ämne: Re: [OSList] Selling Open Space

Carrier >>> Career      ;-)

On Apr 11, 2023, at 8:50 AM, Kári Gunnarsson via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

Open Space Thecnology as a carrier?
Advise and experience

... This is how I would have written it on a paper in an opening circle

I think it clarifies what I am meaning with this theme

On Tue, 11 Apr 2023, 10:54 Thomas Herrmann, <thomas@openspaceconsulting.commailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com> wrote:
Hi Kári, I don’t understand the question. stories on how OST … “as engagement for a junior individual has value for their professional life”
Can you explain a bit more so I might understand better?
All the best
THomas

Från: Kári Gunnarsson via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Skickat: den 11 april 2023 12:02
Till: OS list <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Ämne: [OSList] Selling Open Space

I remember many discussion groups at various ononos events where a young new face had ambition and wanted to explore if this field can work as the sole foundation for their professional life. But the stories of success in that regard is from people who already have a good professional network in place in one or another field and promoted themselves to  management consultancy in that field where they had an opportunity to bring the wonders and promises of Open Space Thecnology to their industry and sometimes also provide the same service to other industries through the general management connection. I have not conducted any research into the professional development of Open Space Thecnology Hoasts, Coaches and Facilitators, these are antidotal at best.

I am looking now for stories on how Open Space Thecnology as engagement for a junior individual has value for their professional life. This is my topic invitation in this thread. I would also love to engage in a conversation on this topic from different angles.

Kari

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.orgmailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org

Thanks for this reflection, Thomas. 🙏🏻

On Apr 15, 2023, at 12:23 PM, Thomas Herrmann via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:

Hi Kári and thanks for your clarification (also Marc 😊)
I agree with Birgitt that its often possible to find a “bigger” or deeper purpose. Anyhow I still quite often work with organizations to get going on a specific issue or opportunity.
I started my own business 23 years ago from being in love with Open Space Technology and feeling a passion to let more people have a taste and maybe choose to continue using it. I had a quite big network and this beautiful process to offer the world. I thought it would be “a piece of cake” but it took about a year of working full time as a freelancer to start to have a stable income… Through the years I had some downs but mostly I have been able to make a good living from it.

I was so extremely lucky that I got support from the organization I chose to leave, it was downsizing and those who chose to leave got some support to find new ways… I could keep my salary for 6 months and I also had money to attend different trainings – with Harrison and also to go through most of the Genuine Contact program! On top of that I had another 6 months with support from the Employment Agence – for new startups…! It was of course really helpful to be able to focus 100% to get going. Well that “luck” is not there for everyone and not having other income or having to spend part of your time doing other work makes a bit harder I guess. I am grateful for this opportunity I got and took!

If I think of some of the success factors I can see these for me are:

• I started “blank” – didn’t do other consulting work, so my focus was very clear from the beginning. I have met other consultants who have a lot of other methods and tools and keep getting assignments from their old business that they want to leave. Some of them seem to be stuck.
• I found a holistic way of working all through all interactions with my clients, when I learnt the components of the Genuine Contact program, especially Whole Person Process Facilitation was for me a perfect match to OST. Since then I work from the same approach all through my assignments. I’ve facilitated in circle ever since and kept on learning until now and onwards.
  *  The focus on solid pre-work and follow ups I find lead to good “results” and also costs more time/money. This has kept growing which in my view has many benefits to the client by being better prepared and attending to the follow up better. For me it has been about opening space for them to reflect on where they want to go respectively afterwards on what happened and how they want to move on. Several exposures to co-creative ways of working, sometimes inhouse trainings supporting them to continue on this path.
• I started giving trainings already a couple of years after having “met” OST and GC. Some people warned me as they perceived that I train competitors. It is very clear to me that by spreading knowledge about OST more work came my way and keeps on coming.
• I connected to the OST, GC, AoH (Art of Hosting) communities among others. Including attending/arranging learning exchanges and learning on the lists like this.
• I have been trying to be generous in different ways.
• I have done my best to get well paid for the high quality I deliver. Several of my collegues were “impressed” that I charged as much as I do. It is partly connected to the time I put into supporting my clients before and after an OST. Some of these collegues sadly went out of business not being able to have enough income.
• I love my work, I love people, I love myself 😊
• I’ve kept on learning and growing personally through many different paths for my own development. I am my most important “tool”.
• I run my own company, cooperate with others who have their own company – this has worked fine for me.
• I have taken help with financials, book keeping etc that I don’t enjoy.
• My focus is more on being of service and doing the work I love than getting rich
• I attend to my own health and balance
• I’ve shared stories on different forums such as social media
• I know how to facilitate as well online as in-person
• It is also helpful that my wife has a steady income from employment, Mia is a teacher, thank you <3

Some learnings

• Sometimes I spent much time planning new ways to cooperate with others. I think it has sometimes not been so fruitful when it comes to business. If its about getting more business (doing the work I love) it may be better to find a project and do it. I think its much easier if it’s a person who has same values and good knowledge about the ways I want to work with clients.
• It’s not so easy to offer open trainings, but it gives good exposure and spreads the word and comes back to me – and its fun and very rewarding in many ways, to give trainings.
• I walk my talk. I don’t come into organizations and give lectures about how I work. I offer them an experience of a well facilitated circle.
• I’ve consistently worked from the same approach – opening space for co-creation using different methods. I searched until I found what methods that suited me, then focused on that and still being curious of “new” ways.
• Being part of the Genuine Contact Organization gives me many opportunities to practice and apply what I “teach”. I’ve taken many opportunities volunteering to facilitate different processes. Much of that I have taken out to my client work.

What worked for you?

I wish we can support each other to share our gifts in the world, they are greatly needed. I have a strong belief that every time we open space in a well facilitated circle (using whatever “method” – the world becomes a better place.

With love
Thomas Herrmann

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Date: Mon, Apr 17, 2023 at 1:42 AM
Subject: [OSList] Re: Selling Open Space
To: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org

Oh Thomas, so beautifully, thoughtfully offered.

I find many parallels to my own journey. Now that I think about it, I know
a number of people who left stable employment to start their own business
when they ran into Open Space. It is part of my story too. Having a partner
with another source of income made the ups and downs of finding work easier
to navigate.

The core of my practice is Open Space, not just the process but as a
philosophy and life practice. At its heart is the invitation to take
responsibility for what you love as an act of service. I fell in love with
Open Space because in my first experience with it, I saw something I didn’t
know was possible: the needs of individuals and the system can both be met.
I used to think one or the other had to be sacrificed. Now I know that when
both are met it is because the spaciousness has enabled something novel to
emerge.

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and Circle process/dialogue are important
companions that inform the way I work. AI, because I found that when people
share their stories, they discover what is most deeply personal is also
universal and they connect. AI influenced me in learning to craft
questions, notably calling questions for Open Space gatherings, that focus
on imagining possibilities. And Circle because it shifts our form of
discourse from debate to dialogue - from advocacy to inquiry. When we are
in inquiry with each other, our differences are instrumental in discovering
breakthroughs. In Open Space, dialogue naturally shows up. Circles remind
me that we all make contributions to the whole.

Like Thomas, I partner with others as co-creators when the task is complex.
In fact, I prefer working with others, particularly when they come from a
different world view. I find it better equips us to be of service to
clients. Actually, diversity is one other element that is core to how I
work. Given our purpose, what is the diversity of a system? How can we grow
partnerships that reflect that diversity to do the work? (I love a rubric
from Marv Weisbord and Sandra Janoff: invite the people who ARE IN. With
Authority, Resources, Expertise, Information, and Need. And then I consider
what demographics are relevant to a situation through a lens from the
Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. They call them fault lines:
gender, geography, generation, race, class, and sexual orientation. They
also have two “fissures" that I think are currently full blown fault lines:
religion and political orientation. Recently, I’ve also added able-ness to
the demographic lenses to consider.)

Finally, I have let what calls to me — what resonates with my sense of
purpose — lead. Calling led me to journalism following a shooting at a
Jewish Community Center in 1999. (I thought to myself: The stories that we
tell ourselves shape the way we see the world. And that shapes our actions.
Journalists are cultural storytellers. How might what I know be of service?
It makes me so sad that the epidemic of gun violence has only gotten worse
since then.)

Back to my consulting journey...In the beginning, I took work to pay the
bills so that I could volunteer my time for the work I do with journalism.
Over time, working with journalism became my central focus. That, and
writing about what I was learning about change and disruption in social
systems, like organizations and communities.

Perhaps that is what I can add to Thomas’ wonderful reflection on the path
of walking in Open Space: what it has been like to have both a group
process focus and a content focus - journalism.  I have wondered sometimes
if having that dual focus and generally keeping them separate has made me
less effective with them both. Would I have been more effective choosing
one or the other? I would describe my split callings as

1. a focus on practices that liberate human spirit so that people discover
   they belong by being their unique selves and
2. reimagining journalism for strong, inclusive communities and
   democracies.

For the first, it has often led me to writing — The Change Handbook,
Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity. In fact, I don’t
think I’ve mentioned on the list a recent article: Emergent Design for
Generative Change
https://peggyholman.medium.com/emergent-design-for-generative-change-78571485daaa,
published in the Organization Development Review. The writing has been my
way to figure out what I have learned and share it.

My journalism work has involved bringing an Open Space philosophy to a
culture that puts high value on facts, too often without sufficient context
to give them meaning. The Open Space-centered gatherings Journalism That
Matters https://journalismthatmatters.org/events/ has done over the years
has helped foster a branch of journalism that gets called “engaged
journalism.” It hasn’t made it to how national news is done but it has
attracted a number of practitioners working locally, mostly, but not
entirely in the U.S. An interesting finding on that: when journalists start
engaging with community, their storytelling becomes more constructive. And
for journalists who start from doing more constructive journalism, largely
influenced by an organization called Solutions Journalism Network, they
become better at listening and engaging with community. It is a virtuous
cycle that is becoming more explicitly understood of late. In fact,
Journalism That Matters is co-hosting a gathering in August, Open Space at
its center, that is bringing the networks of engaged journalists and
solutions-oriented journalists and others together to discover the deeper
patterns in their work and share them with an intent of accelerating the
adoption of inclusive, constructive, collaborative, and engaged ways of
doing journalism.

Anyway, at the heart of what I have learned is, for me, the essence of Open
Space: taking responsibility for what I love.

If nothing else, it makes for a good, fulfilling life.

Peggy

Sending my warm wishes for success for your clients and for you dear Jean Francois (sorry don’t know how to make the “right” c 😊)

Yesterday I was facilitating nice OST with 400 people. On thing I noticed was the relaxed atmosphere, I think partly from that this organization experienced OST once before, just before the glitch for much in-person work. Conversations were happening all over the place as well as in the defined topic groups.
Finally we had 16 action teams forming. Next up is a follow up meeting with the top leaders then another one with leaders and those responsible for actions and then I will give a half day training to support action leaders to facilitate the work with their respective action.

I don’t think I can add photos here but I posted a few photos from the room/preps on my LinkedIn profile , welcome to connect there if we aren’t.
www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsulthttp://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasherrmannopenspaceconsult
All the best
Thomas

Från: JF via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Skickat: den 18 april 2023 13:40
Till: kortleggur@gmail.com
Kopia: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Ämne: [OSList] Re: Selling Open Space

Hello All,
And thank you all for great contributions to this discussion.
Even though I am not exactly young (anymore) I qualify as "junior" as far as OST is concerned.
I am actually in the process of starting an entrepreneurial venture which incorporates the use of OST. Unlike Thomas, I have not chosen to start blank but to take an indirect approach. I hope I do not get stuck like some of his consultant colleagues 🤞. My initial strategy is to start doing consulting work in Project Management which is one of my core competencies and what I am known for in my network. Having a network, even small (mine is not particularly big) is key to any consulting work. And OST consultancy is no exception. So for a young entrepreneur with no network the first focus should be to build one.
My aim is to incorporate 3 aspects in my work : 1) Project Management in the classical sense, 2) Introducing new types of organisational structures and tools centered around collaboration and self management and 3) work on the less tangible aspects of organisational life (trust, well being, emergent mindset, ...). As I said, I am qualified for 1). For 2)  I am competent but need to hone my skill and 3) is something I am currently developing. My strategy is to start doing work in project management to a) develop my network further b) pay the bills ; while in parallel continue developing my capacity in the other aspects. I also hope that once I am working within an organisation I'll be able to understand that organisation's transformative need and propose a solution. I assume that being already known will be an advantage..
So what's the link with OST? Well for one it is one of the methods / tools that I will use. More importantly, and it is what transpires from the comments from Birgitt, Thomas and Peggy, the spirit of OST is a common thread in my approach. I am not here to tell clients how to run their project or build their organisation but rather to facilitate a process where they can build that themselves. The beauty of that is the sustainability / regeneration aspect that Birgitt mentioned. Once the organisation has acquired this mindset and the tools that go with it, they can carry on on their own. OST is one of the tools but it is not just a tool. As everybody on this listserv knows, it is also a trigger to open peoples' mind to other ways of working and relating to one another. You might say that this is a terrible business model because once the organisation is autonomous, it does not need a consultant any longer. But of course that would be contrary to the very spirit of OST which is about sharing and as Thomas mentioned it brings its own rewards somehow. I believe that a business model centered around bringing value to clients (rather than money to the consultant) is the best business model you can have.
My consulting journey is just beginning (I have signed my first client just last Friday!🎉) so all I can share so far is hopes and dreams. But just like others have shared many times, my first experience with OST in Bilbao last year was life changing and pivotal to help me tune into what I believe is the right posture to embark into my consulting career ; towards, indeed, a good and fulfilling life.
Cheers for now,
JF

Jean-François

[Logo]http://synergique.eu/
Jean François Gouin, PhD, PMP
Directeur Projet | Project Director
p: +33609640427
e: jean-francois@synergique.eumailto:jean-francois@synergique.eu
www.synergique.euhttp://www.synergique.eu
[linkedin icon]https://www.linkedin.com/company/synergique-project-solutions/about/

On Sun, Apr 16, 2023 at 7:43 PM Peggy Holman via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:
Oh Thomas, so beautifully, thoughtfully offered.

I find many parallels to my own journey. Now that I think about it, I know a number of people who left stable employment to start their own business when they ran into Open Space. It is part of my story too. Having a partner with another source of income made the ups and downs of finding work easier to navigate.

The core of my practice is Open Space, not just the process but as a philosophy and life practice. At its heart is the invitation to take responsibility for what you love as an act of service. I fell in love with Open Space because in my first experience with it, I saw something I didn’t know was possible: the needs of individuals and the system can both be met. I used to think one or the other had to be sacrificed. Now I know that when both are met it is because the spaciousness has enabled something novel to emerge.

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and Circle process/dialogue are important companions that inform the way I work. AI, because I found that when people share their stories, they discover what is most deeply personal is also universal and they connect. AI influenced me in learning to craft questions, notably calling questions for Open Space gatherings, that focus on imagining possibilities. And Circle because it shifts our form of discourse from debate to dialogue - from advocacy to inquiry. When we are in inquiry with each other, our differences are instrumental in discovering breakthroughs. In Open Space, dialogue naturally shows up. Circles remind me that we all make contributions to the whole.

Like Thomas, I partner with others as co-creators when the task is complex. In fact, I prefer working with others, particularly when they come from a different world view. I find it better equips us to be of service to clients. Actually, diversity is one other element that is core to how I work. Given our purpose, what is the diversity of a system? How can we grow partnerships that reflect that diversity to do the work? (I love a rubric from Marv Weisbord and Sandra Janoff: invite the people who ARE IN. With Authority, Resources, Expertise, Information, and Need. And then I consider what demographics are relevant to a situation through a lens from the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. They call them fault lines: gender, geography, generation, race, class, and sexual orientation. They also have two “fissures" that I think are currently full blown fault lines: religion and political orientation. Recently, I’ve also added able-ness to the demographic lenses to consider.)

Finally, I have let what calls to me — what resonates with my sense of purpose — lead. Calling led me to journalism following a shooting at a Jewish Community Center in 1999. (I thought to myself: The stories that we tell ourselves shape the way we see the world. And that shapes our actions. Journalists are cultural storytellers. How might what I know be of service? It makes me so sad that the epidemic of gun violence has only gotten worse since then.)

Back to my consulting journey...In the beginning, I took work to pay the bills so that I could volunteer my time for the work I do with journalism. Over time, working with journalism became my central focus. That, and writing about what I was learning about change and disruption in social systems, like organizations and communities.

Perhaps that is what I can add to Thomas’ wonderful reflection on the path of walking in Open Space: what it has been like to have both a group process focus and a content focus - journalism.  I have wondered sometimes if having that dual focus and generally keeping them separate has made me less effective with them both. Would I have been more effective choosing one or the other? I would describe my split callings as

1. a focus on practices that liberate human spirit so that people discover they belong by being their unique selves and
2. reimagining journalism for strong, inclusive communities and democracies.

For the first, it has often led me to writing — The Change Handbook, Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity. In fact, I don’t think I’ve mentioned on the list a recent article: Emergent Design for Generative Changehttps://peggyholman.medium.com/emergent-design-for-generative-change-78571485daaa, published in the Organization Development Review. The writing has been my way to figure out what I have learned and share it.

My journalism work has involved bringing an Open Space philosophy to a culture that puts high value on facts, too often without sufficient context to give them meaning. The Open Space-centered gatherings Journalism That Mattershttps://journalismthatmatters.org/events/ has done over the years has helped foster a branch of journalism that gets called “engaged journalism.” It hasn’t made it to how national news is done but it has attracted a number of practitioners working locally, mostly, but not entirely in the U.S. An interesting finding on that: when journalists start engaging with community, their storytelling becomes more constructive. And for journalists who start from doing more constructive journalism, largely influenced by an organization called Solutions Journalism Network, they become better at listening and engaging with community. It is a virtuous cycle that is becoming more explicitly understood of late. In fact, Journalism That Matters is co-hosting a gathering in August, Open Space at its center, that is bringing the networks of engaged journalists and solutions-oriented journalists and others together to discover the deeper patterns in their work and share them with an intent of accelerating the adoption of inclusive, constructive, collaborative, and engaged ways of doing journalism.

Anyway, at the heart of what I have learned is, for me, the essence of Open Space: taking responsibility for what I love.

If nothing else, it makes for a good, fulfilling life.

Peggy

Peggy Holman
peggy@peggyholman.commailto:peggy@peggyholman.com
Twitter: @peggyholman

Bellevue, WA  98006
206-948-0432
www.peggyholman.comhttp://www.peggyholman.com
www.journalismthatmatters.orghttp://www.journalismthatmatters.org

Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunityhttp://www.engagingemergence.com

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

On Apr 15, 2023, at 9:23 AM, Thomas Herrmann via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

Hi Kári and thanks for your clarification (also Marc 😊)
I agree with Birgitt that its often possible to find a “bigger” or deeper purpose. Anyhow I still quite often work with organizations to get going on a specific issue or opportunity.
I started my own business 23 years ago from being in love with Open Space Technology and feeling a passion to let more people have a taste and maybe choose to continue using it. I had a quite big network and this beautiful process to offer the world. I thought it would be “a piece of cake” but it took about a year of working full time as a freelancer to start to have a stable income… Through the years I had some downs but mostly I have been able to make a good living from it.

I was so extremely lucky that I got support from the organization I chose to leave, it was downsizing and those who chose to leave got some support to find new ways… I could keep my salary for 6 months and I also had money to attend different trainings – with Harrison and also to go through most of the Genuine Contact program! On top of that I had another 6 months with support from the Employment Agence – for new startups…! It was of course really helpful to be able to focus 100% to get going. Well that “luck” is not there for everyone and not having other income or having to spend part of your time doing other work makes a bit harder I guess. I am grateful for this opportunity I got and took!

If I think of some of the success factors I can see these for me are:

• I started “blank” – didn’t do other consulting work, so my focus was very clear from the beginning. I have met other consultants who have a lot of other methods and tools and keep getting assignments from their old business that they want to leave. Some of them seem to be stuck.
• I found a holistic way of working all through all interactions with my clients, when I learnt the components of the Genuine Contact program, especially Whole Person Process Facilitation was for me a perfect match to OST. Since then I work from the same approach all through my assignments. I’ve facilitated in circle ever since and kept on learning until now and onwards.

 *   The focus on solid pre-work and follow ups I find lead to good “results” and also costs more time/money. This has kept growing which in my view has many benefits to the client by being better prepared and attending to the follow up better. For me it has been about opening space for them to reflect on where they want to go respectively afterwards on what happened and how they want to move on. Several exposures to co-creative ways of working, sometimes inhouse trainings supporting them to continue on this path.

• I started giving trainings already a couple of years after having “met” OST and GC. Some people warned me as they perceived that I train competitors. It is very clear to me that by spreading knowledge about OST more work came my way and keeps on coming.
• I connected to the OST, GC, AoH (Art of Hosting) communities among others. Including attending/arranging learning exchanges and learning on the lists like this.
• I have been trying to be generous in different ways.
• I have done my best to get well paid for the high quality I deliver. Several of my collegues were “impressed” that I charged as much as I do. It is partly connected to the time I put into supporting my clients before and after an OST. Some of these collegues sadly went out of business not being able to have enough income.
• I love my work, I love people, I love myself 😊
• I’ve kept on learning and growing personally through many different paths for my own development. I am my most important “tool”.
• I run my own company, cooperate with others who have their own company – this has worked fine for me.
• I have taken help with financials, book keeping etc that I don’t enjoy.
• My focus is more on being of service and doing the work I love than getting rich
• I attend to my own health and balance
• I’ve shared stories on different forums such as social media
• I know how to facilitate as well online as in-person
• It is also helpful that my wife has a steady income from employment, Mia is a teacher, thank you <3

Some learnings

• Sometimes I spent much time planning new ways to cooperate with others. I think it has sometimes not been so fruitful when it comes to business. If its about getting more business (doing the work I love) it may be better to find a project and do it. I think its much easier if it’s a person who has same values and good knowledge about the ways I want to work with clients.
• It’s not so easy to offer open trainings, but it gives good exposure and spreads the word and comes back to me – and its fun and very rewarding in many ways, to give trainings.
• I walk my talk. I don’t come into organizations and give lectures about how I work. I offer them an experience of a well facilitated circle.
• I’ve consistently worked from the same approach – opening space for co-creation using different methods. I searched until I found what methods that suited me, then focused on that and still being curious of “new” ways.
• Being part of the Genuine Contact Organization gives me many opportunities to practice and apply what I “teach”. I’ve taken many opportunities volunteering to facilitate different processes. Much of that I have taken out to my client work.

What worked for you?

I wish we can support each other to share our gifts in the world, they are greatly needed. I have a strong belief that every time we open space in a well facilitated circle (using whatever “method” – the world becomes a better place.

With love
Thomas Herrmann

Från: Marc C. Trudeau <marctrudeau@alum.wpi.edumailto:marctrudeau@alum.wpi.edu>
Skickat: den 11 april 2023 15:14
Till: Kári Gunnarsson <kortleggur@gmail.commailto:kortleggur@gmail.com>
Kopia: Thomas Herrmann <thomas@openspaceconsulting.commailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com>; OSList (email to post) <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Ämne: Re: [OSList] Selling Open Space

Carrier >>> Career      ;-)

On Apr 11, 2023, at 8:50 AM, Kári Gunnarsson via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

Open Space Thecnology as a carrier?
Advise and experience

... This is how I would have written it on a paper in an opening circle

I think it clarifies what I am meaning with this theme

On Tue, 11 Apr 2023, 10:54 Thomas Herrmann, <thomas@openspaceconsulting.commailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com> wrote:
Hi Kári, I don’t understand the question. stories on how OST … “as engagement for a junior individual has value for their professional life”
Can you explain a bit more so I might understand better?
All the best
THomas

Från: Kári Gunnarsson via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Skickat: den 11 april 2023 12:02
Till: OS list <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Ämne: [OSList] Selling Open Space

I remember many discussion groups at various ononos events where a young new face had ambition and wanted to explore if this field can work as the sole foundation for their professional life. But the stories of success in that regard is from people who already have a good professional network in place in one or another field and promoted themselves to  management consultancy in that field where they had an opportunity to bring the wonders and promises of Open Space Thecnology to their industry and sometimes also provide the same service to other industries through the general management connection. I have not conducted any research into the professional development of Open Space Thecnology Hoasts, Coaches and Facilitators, these are antidotal at best.

I am looking now for stories on how Open Space Thecnology as engagement for a junior individual has value for their professional life. This is my topic invitation in this thread. I would also love to engage in a conversation on this topic from different angles.

Kari

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Wow thanks dear Gentza Eleder and JF!!
I much enjoyed reading your posts - WOOOOOW - here on the bus on my way back from a lovely hosting of OST in Ålesund, Norway. A beautiful space and beautiful people working together in open spacy ways since almost 2 years. If you’re on Fb and LinkedIn you can see posts of the very special space/venue. Or let me know and I’ll email whoever is interested.
Big hugs – and yes Gentza Eleder it is so so good to be writing hugs and knowing how they feel live. It was such a wonderfuuuuul experience! I wish you can join us in Berlin!
THomas

Från: JF jfgouin@gmail.com
Skickat: den 28 april 2023 22:04
Till: Gentza Eleder Gentza.Eleder@protonmail.com
Kopia: Thomas Herrmann thomas@openspaceconsulting.com; Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org; diego aldasoro ruralidadysoriandad@gmail.com
Ämne: Re: [OSList] Re: Selling Open Space

That is beautifully said Eleder,
I love how you are able to take a really elevated yet very personal perspective.
Maybe this could all best be summarized by these famous words:
"Tell me that you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy"
Love cannot be bought or sold because it does not belong to anyone
It is the same with the space that is opened.
Now, that does not mean that whoever is hosting shall not be rewarded and compensated
So it is the hosting that you might be selling, not the open space.
I think that is an important distinction because even though the hosting is essential, most of the value is in the open space.

On Thu, Apr 27, 2023 at 5:43 PM Gentza Eleder via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:
(I started with this message after reading Thomas Herrmann's I was taking time to reflect on it, and reading also Peggy's and Jeff's reflections, and write thorughly and calmly. Most of all, as Peggy suggests, to clarify my own views regarding OS career. Then I read Harrison's -thanx, my friend!- last piece that helped me reframe all my writing. Thank you everybody!)

Life is all the time self managing.
And our "career" is part of it.
Rediscovering the os-life principles and acknowledging them was a gift for us in some point of our lives.
Rememnbering it everyday helps us living with more acceptance, joy, and contributing better to the wholeness.

I could think about future, and try to imagine how I could do to make a salary for facilitating, sponsoring, training, or even taking part in OS laboratories/meetings.

And it would be just it, imagination, illusion, fantasy, whatever. And writing helps as clarifying our desires, and attract them, sure.

In the meanwhile life continues its own way, and my life, being part of it, in continuous relationship with the environment, does so.

Maybe some of these ideas I write down (below) to think about what I'm doing in three years, "when I start my OS freelance career"  really happen at the end. Most of them will probably not. Who knows? And probably, my salary, is there all the time.
Maybe some os us will make good incomes from OST. Most of us won't. The more people doing so, the less OST training and facilitation is needed. OST will happen as soon as someone is passionate about a hot issue, knows that this tool will best help a community and starts walking.

We passionate about OS are magical, awesome beings full of more and less developed abilities. As we know about OS, best we can do is just follow them all the time. And relax. Take much time for "doing" nothing. Relax, breathe, wander, enjoy the wonderful spectacle of life self-managing everywhere. And wherener we get in touch with those people that are managing complex, urgent, confilctive, chaotic situations, and are open, listen deeply to them and just tell them that and OS meeting could help them.

In the meanwhile we are enjoying life and following our passions all the time. And resting.

Since I knew about OS around 2000 it was like "this could be my job, I could do a salary on it,...". Then (2004-2008) we had four wonderful children! And a boring very well paid administration job. With time, I was less and less afraid of jobs, and more and more aware os OS. I realized these days that, even if the salary and the other job conditions were great,  I didn't mind going out of this job, and I would't persue the civil servant "fix" post. I just would navigate life, and apply my OS philosophy wherever I was.

Years 2009-2010 I was unemployed, enjoying much time with my small children (we preferred to have them out of school till they would demand it), I started some mind map training and OST facilitating jobs on my own with the scarce free time,... and then I was offered to reenter the administration job. I accepted and, this time, I thought I would stop doing anything I wouldn't feel needed being done.

Little by little, they would demand me doing almost nothing (in fact, thinking it frankly, very litte really interesting/important/needed work being done through the public administration here, I feel).

And I wasn't sacked ;-)!

What was I doing unde this public salary? I was facilitating many OS and others, that commuity happened to ask me for, by having known about me and OS mouth to mouth, or other stuff.

In the administration office I would tell the bosses and people around, and they respected it, I think.

In year 2020, I finally was out of, after 10 years of OS living and quite much facilitating, with the local administration good salary.

Being unemplyed in late 2021, thanks to this splendid world community and following my passion, I proposed to some awesome Basque OS mates convening the WOSonOS in year 2022 in Bilbao, when nobody would expect having this! Very happy on it!

Reading now Thomas, Peggy and Jeff here, some months after having enjoyed some days with them in Bilbao and meangling now with you in this conversation is unpayable for me!

Nowadays I am again working for the administration for some months (I was called from an ancient list of candidates). I accepted it, as conditions are good and I feel I'm doing my job by just assuming OS as life principles, following what makes sense to me, following my passions, and accepting life as it comes. Aboundant.

I relax about tasks they propose to me if they don't make sense. I speak sincerely to the hierarchy people, and write long messages on my views. I explain to them that I'm an OS man, that "I just can work in circles, you know?" I explain to them that lots of the stuff our adininstration sustains economically (and generates the jobs here) is nonsense for me, and I can't follow this. I tell them that there are many possibilities for OS here and I could help there. For the moment this is not happening. I respect it and they respect me.

In the meanwhile a bunch of OS passionate people who fiirst took part in OS during WOSonOS 2022, asked me to facilitate in late July a 5 day OS in a fasted (or semifasted) week. I'm on it (besides rearing youths, guitar playing and singing, meeting friends and community, swimming in the sea,...). It's being wonderful!

So here below a list of ideas I would follow for my OS career, knowing that it might just be this, writing ideas to help myself relax, re-realize and enjoy life's eternal and aboundat open space.

A big hug from sunny Bilbao,

Gentza Eleder

(ideas written around 2023-4-20)

Thomas,
very grateful for you having with so much detail told us about your path.

You say:
"It is also helpful that my wife has a steady income from employment, Mia is a teacher, thank you <3"
And Peggy, too, says:
"Having a partner with another source of income made the ups and downs of finding work easier to navigate."

I thought, I have backed myself with many years taking jobs mainly for money, and I have some savings backing me.
What attracts me most now is living a beautiful story, a legacy that deserves being told and could inspire other people in the future.

Thomas, your final paragraph is so charming that clarifies much what I feel, when you say:

I wish we can support each other to share our gifts in the world, they are greatly needed. I have a strong belief that every time we open space in a well facilitated circle (using whatever “method” – the world becomes a better place.

Lisa Heft told me recently in another communication:

"I am appreciative also that I was always encouraged (by Molly, by my parents) to do the work that I love"

Now, after this converstion and another one I just had with my big friend Diego (he doesn´t take part of this list, even though he was deeply implied in GiGi Mundiala/WOSonOS 2022https://twitter.com/OpenSpace_EH/status/1648347623370178560 organization and support in Bilbao) my  view on my own OS career is:

• I'm starting a diary book writing ideas about my OS related and focused career.
• I'd love to work with partners on it, and make our own salaries
• OS would be the way, besides a main practice (facilitation, training,...).
• Being the way means that I will free and open myself to life, and follow my own gifts and other presents life brings around me, knowing that this is the best way to making my incomes and celebrating life. Wos, this is a sage word, in-come (by tehmselves, no "hard work" needed ;-)!
• In my OS way life=career, I will share other activities and learnings from my life/experience that will self manage in the here and now (mind mapping, creativity, guitar-singing, helping learn Basque in creative ways, coaching around Mundaka, podcasting/interviewing... ). Embodying the OS way of a career, that is also known as Un-Jobbing.
• To reinforce my facilitation and freelancing skills I plan to take maybe (around 2025-2027, when I feel more liberated from caring duties at home, and freer to travel) a one year focused learning/meditating/designing year (today, 2023-4-27 I rethink, maybe just much guitar traveling (something I did very few during childcaring years)? ). Training OS / Genuine Contact / Whole Person Process Facilitation / Appreciative Inquiry/ Art of Hosting/ Coaching / Agile coachng? are now on my list of interesting issues I could deep in.
• I'm taking very good readings near that can help this career, many of the authors of which take acitvily part of the OSLIST (thanks all of you there!).
• And I know, that taking a focused time could by itself lead me, with no so much external trainings to invent my own way. It may be that just liberating myself of my fears and insecurities is the first and main step.
• I'm reinforcing relationships with the kind of friends that encourage me to "just do the work that I love" and keep telling myself this, as a mantra.
• Attending WOSonOS would be super helpful
  ps. I'm super happy now of having been part of WOSonOs 2022 in Bilbao in September 2022https://twitter.com/OpenSpace_EH/status/1648347623370178560.
  As I read in this thread Thomas, Peggy and Jeff,... and having shared some quality
  time and wonderful hugs with you in Bilbao some months ago,
  when I write now I can embody the energy of close friends conversation, wow!

Specially to first comers that would be considering it,
I heartedly, recommend (even if I'll most probably be home, by my youth family!)
now to attend this year WOSonOS 2023 in Berlin (18th-21th October)https://www.wosonos2023.berlin/.
I'm sure it'll be transformative!

------- Original Message -------
On sábado, 15 de abril de 2023 às 18:23, Thomas Herrmann via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

Hi Kári and thanks for your clarification (also Marc 😊)
I agree with Birgitt that its often possible to find a “bigger” or deeper purpose. Anyhow I still quite often work with organizations to get going on a specific issue or opportunity.
I started my own business 23 years ago from being in love with Open Space Technology and feeling a passion to let more people have a taste and maybe choose to continue using it. I had a quite big network and this beautiful process to offer the world. I thought it would be “a piece of cake” but it took about a year of working full time as a freelancer to start to have a stable income… Through the years I had some downs but mostly I have been able to make a good living from it.

I was so extremely lucky that I got support from the organization I chose to leave, it was downsizing and those who chose to leave got some support to find new ways… I could keep my salary for 6 months and I also had money to attend different trainings – with Harrison and also to go through most of the Genuine Contact program! On top of that I had another 6 months with support from the Employment Agence – for new startups…! It was of course really helpful to be able to focus 100% to get going. Well that “luck” is not there for everyone and not having other income or having to spend part of your time doing other work makes a bit harder I guess. I am grateful for this opportunity I got and took!

If I think of some of the success factors I can see these for me are:

• I started “blank” – didn’t do other consulting work, so my focus was very clear from the beginning. I have met other consultants who have a lot of other methods and tools and keep getting assignments from their old business that they want to leave. Some of them seem to be stuck.
• I found a holistic way of working all through all interactions with my clients, when I learnt the components of the Genuine Contact program, especially Whole Person Process Facilitation was for me a perfect match to OST. Since then I work from the same approach all through my assignments. I’ve facilitated in circle ever since and kept on learning until now and onwards.

 *   The focus on solid pre-work and follow ups I find lead to good “results” and also costs more time/money. This has kept growing which in my view has many benefits to the client by being better prepared and attending to the follow up better. For me it has been about opening space for them to reflect on where they want to go respectively afterwards on what happened and how they want to move on. Several exposures to co-creative ways of working, sometimes inhouse trainings supporting them to continue on this path.

• I started giving trainings already a couple of years after having “met” OST and GC. Some people warned me as they perceived that I train competitors. It is very clear to me that by spreading knowledge about OST more work came my way and keeps on coming.
• I connected to the OST, GC, AoH (Art of Hosting) communities among others. Including attending/arranging learning exchanges and learning on the lists like this.
• I have been trying to be generous in different ways.
• I have done my best to get well paid for the high quality I deliver. Several of my collegues were “impressed” that I charged as much as I do. It is partly connected to the time I put into supporting my clients before and after an OST. Some of these collegues sadly went out of business not being able to have enough income.
• I love my work, I love people, I love myself 😊
• I’ve kept on learning and growing personally through many different paths for my own development. I am my most important “tool”.
• I run my own company, cooperate with others who have their own company – this has worked fine for me.
• I have taken help with financials, book keeping etc that I don’t enjoy.
• My focus is more on being of service and doing the work I love than getting rich
• I attend to my own health and balance
• I’ve shared stories on different forums such as social media
• I know how to facilitate as well online as in-person
• It is also helpful that my wife has a steady income from employment, Mia is a teacher, thank you <3

Some learnings

• Sometimes I spent much time planning new ways to cooperate with others. I think it has sometimes not been so fruitful when it comes to business. If its about getting more business (doing the work I love) it may be better to find a project and do it. I think its much easier if it’s a person who has same values and good knowledge about the ways I want to work with clients.
• It’s not so easy to offer open trainings, but it gives good exposure and spreads the word and comes back to me – and its fun and very rewarding in many ways, to give trainings.
• I walk my talk. I don’t come into organizations and give lectures about how I work. I offer them an experience of a well facilitated circle.
• I’ve consistently worked from the same approach – opening space for co-creation using different methods. I searched until I found what methods that suited me, then focused on that and still being curious of “new” ways.
• Being part of the Genuine Contact Organization gives me many opportunities to practice and apply what I “teach”. I’ve taken many opportunities volunteering to facilitate different processes. Much of that I have taken out to my client work.

What worked for you?

I wish we can support each other to share our gifts in the world, they are greatly needed. I have a strong belief that every time we open space in a well facilitated circle (using whatever “method” – the world becomes a better place.

With love
Thomas Herrmann

Från: Marc C. Trudeau <marctrudeau@alum.wpi.edumailto:marctrudeau@alum.wpi.edu>
Skickat: den 11 april 2023 15:14
Till: Kári Gunnarsson <kortleggur@gmail.commailto:kortleggur@gmail.com>
Kopia: Thomas Herrmann <thomas@openspaceconsulting.commailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com>; OSList (email to post) <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Ämne: Re: [OSList] Selling Open Space

Carrier >>> Career      ;-)

On Apr 11, 2023, at 8:50 AM, Kári Gunnarsson via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

Open Space Thecnology as a carrier?
Advise and experience

... This is how I would have written it on a paper in an opening circle

I think it clarifies what I am meaning with this theme

On Tue, 11 Apr 2023, 10:54 Thomas Herrmann, <thomas@openspaceconsulting.commailto:thomas@openspaceconsulting.com> wrote:
Hi Kári, I don’t understand the question. stories on how OST … “as engagement for a junior individual has value for their professional life”
Can you explain a bit more so I might understand better?
All the best
THomas

Från: Kári Gunnarsson via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Skickat: den 11 april 2023 12:02
Till: OS list <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Ämne: [OSList] Selling Open Space

I remember many discussion groups at various ononos events where a young new face had ambition and wanted to explore if this field can work as the sole foundation for their professional life. But the stories of success in that regard is from people who already have a good professional network in place in one or another field and promoted themselves to  management consultancy in that field where they had an opportunity to bring the wonders and promises of Open Space Thecnology to their industry and sometimes also provide the same service to other industries through the general management connection. I have not conducted any research into the professional development of Open Space Thecnology Hoasts, Coaches and Facilitators, these are antidotal at best.

I am looking now for stories on how Open Space Thecnology as engagement for a junior individual has value for their professional life. This is my topic invitation in this thread. I would also love to engage in a conversation on this topic from different angles.

Kari

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