Should you host an Open Space Session?
Photo by Michael Sahota
Open Space was inspired by the hallway conversations that occurred at traditional conferences. It is powered by the passion and responsibility of those who attend and needs people who will propose and host sessions. The question is: if you’re attending an Open Space event, should YOU host a session?
The simple answer is yes!
Anyone who shows up to a session can propose an Open Space session. And if you work with agile teams, you are even more prepared to be a session host than you might realize. This blog post describes the responsibilities of an Open Space session host and the benefits of hosting.
Responsibilities of an Open Space Session Host
If you propose an Open Space topic, you’ll be expected as the host to:
Attend the session and kick it off with a one-minute explanation of what the topic means for you. (Pro tip: I recommend writing your topic name on a nearby flipchart poster to help people find you)
Invite others who have shown up to share their thoughts on the topic
Ensure that notes are captured from the dialogue so that you and others (even people who didn’t attend the session) may review the key points or takeaways later. You do not need to be the notetaker yourself. Someone else in the group or even multiple people can share note-taking responsibilities! At in-person events, these notes are typically written on flip chart posters and may include hand-drawn models, bullet points from the discussion, and where to find additional resources or related books on the topic.
Sound too easy to be true?
Your role as session host is to keep the session open for free and open dialogue among the participants. There are no screens or projectors for slide presentations. We respect the knowledge, curiosity, experience, and unique perspectives of everyone. Open Space is a self-organizing practice that releases the inherent creativity and leadership in people.
Benefits of Hosting an Open Space Session
At this point, you may be asking yourself: am I really going to get value when there's not an expert presenting?
YES! Open Space has been used in organizations and communities to solve complex problems and work through conflicts when the time for actions was yesterday.
It can give you the boost of ideas and energy that you’re seeking to move forward. AND… those who come to an Open Space event with a precise set of intended outcomes will be frustrated. Much like in our work with self-organizing agile teams, we must trust the group in Open Space to find its own way.
Open Space invites people (including you) to take responsibility for what they care about. You can host a session on almost anything:
Exploring something you recently learned about and want to hear others’ thoughts on
Connecting with others who share your interests
Collecting advice and experiences related to an issue you’re facing
Inviting others to do an activity together
With multiple sessions being offered in parallel, it’s evident that the folks who came to your session are the ones who deeply care about your topic. You gain wisdom from the diversity of thought and experiences in the group that shows up. In my experience, it has been eye-opening to learn from other practitioners in these settings: from those who have done it (whatever “it” is) to those who are doing it, and the ones who are struggling with it and the ones who are seeing it in their future. Whoever comes is the right people.
Remember too that discussions can run as long or as short as you and others have the passion to put into the topic—when it’s over, it’s over.
Open Space invites inquiry, reflection, and learning to bring out the best in both individuals and the whole group. Some of my strongest relationships in the agile community first started in Open Space conversations because of the richness in those early connecting moments. They have become my go-to people when I could use more inquiry, reflection, and learning in my life. You will know when the topic has run its course based on the group’s energy rather than the clock.
You can be an Open Space session host!
Your experience as an agilist and working with self-organizing teams translates well to embracing the law and principles of Open Space. Hosting an Open Space session does not mean that you are the “expert” or authority in the topic that you've proposed. You as the session host are not leading a presentation or giving a speech, and here you’re not showing off your facilitation skills with a pre-prepared workshop.
Open Space sessions are intentionally different in feel and form than traditional conference sessions. The organic nature of an Open Space session is what makes for a rich learning experience and builds connections with other attendees. It is unscripted, and we come prepared to be surprised. Have fun with it!
Have more questions about Open Space events? Contact me. I’d be glad to answer!
