Four principles, one law, two apparitions,
and one admonition
1. “Whoever comes are the right people”
Whoever shows up and whatever number shows up for the event, they are the right people to take up the issues raised, because they are the ones who care. They care in many different ways and that makes the exchange diverse and rich. Thus it is possible to consider the questions from a lot of different angles, through different lenses.
2. “Whatever happens is the only thing that could have”
… is an invitation to concentrate on what is and what has a meaning to you. It is about getting rid of should have beens, might have beens, could have beens, that occupy time and space one can use for better and more enjoyable things.
3. “Whenever it starts is the right time”
This principle is about the fact that things usually do not start when we say so or want them to. If a meeting starts it is rather seldom that creativity breaks out at once and therefore it is a good thing to remember that “whenever it starts is the right time".
4. “When it´s over, it´s over / When it´s not over, it´s not over”
...is about the use of time. When a job is done before meeting time is over, we should leave and do other things. On the other hand, when talk, just when the meeting is supposed to be over, finally gets down to the point – obviously it is not over…
“The law of two feet or the law of mobility”
…is very simple, but it is the most complex part: If at any time during an Open Space event you find yourself in a situation where you neither learn nor contribute, you move to another place that is more productive for you. In other words: If you find your mind wandering, you let your body follow and honor the group with your absence.
When people follow the law there are two apparitions or creatures:
Bumble bees
are all sorts of people – industrious, fastidious, fidgety, inquisitive, whatever – that use the law of mobility. They buzz in and out of a group, collecting and spreading information, ideas, thoughts. They stimulate, fertilize, create synergy and sometimes they provide exactly the missing part for a group to come up with an idea that makes the difference.
Butterflies
are people that do not – sometimes never – make it into a session. They can be found at the buffet, outside in the park, and you might wonder why they came or why they stay. They are centers of inactivity and therefore they actually have a very important function: There is no intention and nothing is planned, and therefore there is space for the unexpected to happen.
"Be prepared to be surprised!"
...is a reminder that whatever agenda we might have come with, we would do ourselves a favor to put it aside for a while. Since what is possible out of (the diversity of) the group exceeds any expectations a single person might have had, not being open to this can only be a limitation.