Open Space Technology

The Principles:

1. "Whoever comes is the right people" ... reminds participants that they don't need the CEO and 100 people to get something done, you need people who care. And, absent the direction or control exerted in a traditional meeting, that's who shows up in the various breakout sessions of an open space meeting.

2. "Whenever it starts is the right time" ... reminds participants that 'spirit and creativity do not run on the clock.'

3. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have ...reminds participants that once something has happened, it's done -- and no amount of fretting, complaining or otherwise rehashing can change that. Move on.

4. When it's over, it's over ...reminds participants that we never know how long it will take to resolve an issue, once raised, but that whenever the issue or work or conversation is finished, move on to the next thing. Don't keep rehashing just because there's 30 minutes left in the session. Do the work, not the time.

Owen explains his one 'Law,' called the 'Law of Two Feet' or 'The Law of Mobility', as follows: If at any time during our time together you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet, go someplace else. In this way, all participants are given both the right and the responsibility to maximize their own learning and contribution, which the Law assumes only they, themselves, can ultimately judge and control. When participants lose interest and get bored in a breakout session, or accomplish and share all that they can, the charge is to move on, the 'polite' thing to do is go something else. In practical terms, Owen explains, the Law of Two Feet says: 'Don't waste time!'"

Owens explains it simply: "Sit in a circle, create a bulletin board so you can say what it is you want to talk about, open marketplace so people can figure out where and when you want to meet, and then go to work."