occupy. By word or gesture, indicate that you have nothing further to contribute, wish them well, and go and do something useful. Sometimes it happens that overly zealous participants feel that their ideas are so important or powerful that everybody in a particular group (or even in the whole conference) should pay attention and listen. This one has to be nipped in the bud -- carefully. The way out is not to directly challenge the person, but rather to remind the assembled group of the Law of Two Feet. If everybody truly wants to listen, they should do that. But if that is not their desire, they have two feet which they should use. There is no need to argue and shout, just thank the group and leave. Egomaniacs quickly get the picture when everybody leaves.

[Note from Lisa Heft: Harrison doesn't mention here the butterfly and the bumblebee, both essential elements of the Law of Two Feet he mentions in his other writings. You can read about these and the full method and process in his book, "Open Space Technology: A User's Guide".]

CREATING OPEN SPACE -- Introducing the Event

With the preamble out of the way, it is time to get on with the event. What follows is a walkthough of the format we have used. But please do not treat it as an unchangeable script. The needs of your group and your own style will ultimately determine the best way.

If this is a "first time" for you as a leader, we strongly suggest that you take a practice run through. Start by becoming completely familiar with the walkthough material provided below. Imagine that you are actually leading a group, and read through the script. Do this until you don't need the script, and then go one step further. Forget the script's words and use your own.

At that point, you are probably ready for a real group, but don't make your first effort "the critical one." Find some friends and colleagues who are willing guinea pigs. They should have fun, and so should you. As a matter of fact, having fun is the key indicator that you are ready to take on a group for real. If it isn't fun, don't do it. Maybe you should never do it, or maybe you just need more practice. But HAVE FUN.

Assume that your group is now assembled in a circle, with a large blank wall behind them. You walk into the center and begin:

"Our theme for this gathering is _________. In the next __days, we are going to develop our best thoughts around the issues and opportunities associated with our theme. As we start, I want you to notice the blank wall. That is our agenda.

Let them look at the blank wall and really understand that there is no agenda except as they make it. Some people will beginning to feel rather nervous, and others will be demonstrably so, but nervousness (anxiety) at this point is a plus, for it represents available energy or spirit just waiting to happen.

In a few moments, I will ask you to identify any issue or opportunity you see around our theme, give it a short title and write that down on the paper provided. Then stand up in front of the group, say what your issue is, and post the paper on the wall. Make sure that you have some real passion for this issue, and that it is not just a good idea for somebody else to do. For you will be expected to take personal responsibility for the discussion. That means saying where and when the group will meet, convening the group, and entering the results of your discussion into our computer system (if you are using a system). You may offer as many issues as you like, and if at the end of the day, you do not see your issue on the wall, there is exactly one person to complain to. Yourself.

Once all the issues are up, everybody will be invited to come to the wall and sign up for as few or as many of the groups as they desire. From there on out, you are in charge.

"Even though Open Space is truly open, there are some principles and one law that we need to keep in mind. The Four Principles are. . . [see above]. And the Law is what we call the Law of Two Feet.

"Keeping the Four Principles in mind, along with the One Law, it is now time to get to work. Along that line, there is one question to start. What are the issues and opportunities around our theme, for which you have real passion and will take genuine responsibility (or whatever your theme is)?