Open Space was inspired by the hallway conversations that occurred at traditional conferences. Open Space 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. Let’s look at the responsibilities of an Open Space session host and the benefits of hosting.
Responsibilities of a Session Host
If you propose an Open Space topic, you host it by:
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I like to take notes as a host because it encourages me to hear others’ ideas on the topic Attending the session and kicking 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)
- Inviting others who have shown up to share their thoughts on the topic
- Ensuring that notes are captured so that you and others 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. Notes may include hand-drawn models, bullet points from the discussion, and related books on the topic. Even people who didn’t attend the session may find the notes useful!
Sound too easy to be true?
Your role as session host is to keep the session open for dialogue among the participants. There are no screens or projectors for slide presentations. We respect the knowledge, curiosity, experience, and unique perspectives of everyone.
Benefits of Hosting
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.
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
You gain wisdom from the diversity of thought and experiences in the group that shows up. It is eye-opening to learn from other practitioners in these settings. You can hear from those who have done it (whatever “it” is). Plus 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.
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. You will know when the topic has run its course based on the group’s energy rather than the clock.
Open Space invites inquiry and learning to bring out the best in both individuals and the whole group. I have many friendships that started in Open Space conversations. They have become my go-to people when I could use more inquiry, reflection, and learning in my life.
You can be an Open Space session host!
Your experience with self-organizing teams translates well to the 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. You’re also not showing off your facilitation skills with a pre-prepared workshop.
Open Space sessions are intentionally different in feel and form than traditional conferences. 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!
