Open Space Conversations A way to organise conversations that matter

Conferences often rely on rigid agendas that leave little room for genuine exchange and meaningful discussion. Yet the most valuable insights usually surface in informal conversations. Open Space Technology offers a simple way to place those conversations at the centre, creating Space for people to set their own agenda and follow what matters.

Open Space Technology (OST), often simply referred to as Open Space, is a method for creating and sustaining conversations around issues that matter. Despite its name, it is not a “technology” in the everyday sense. Instead, it is a way of convening people that gives structure to openness, spontaneity, and self-organisation.

Open Space was first developed in the mid-1980s by Harrison Owen. After running a large conference, he realised that most participants found the coffee breaks to be the most valuable part of the event. This inspired him to design a process that placed those kinds of conversations at the centre rather than the margins. The first Open Space gathering took place in 1985, and since then it has been used thousands of times around the world in organisations, communities, and networks.

The Four Guiding Principles

1. Whoever comes is the right people – conversations are shaped by those who care enough to be there.
2. Whenever it starts is the right time – creativity and insight do not follow a schedule.
3. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have – what emerges is what was possible in that moment.
4. When it’s over, it’s over – conversations have their own natural rhythm and need not be stretched.

The Law of Two Feet

This principle lies at the heart of the Open Space approach. It says that if you find yourself in a situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, you are free—and indeed responsible—to use your two feet to move somewhere more useful. The Law of Two Feet embodies the spirit of Open Space: people take ownership of their time, attention, and energy, creating a culture of responsibility rather than passive attendance.

Adaptability and Use

Open Space is highly adaptable. Some gatherings last a few hours, others several days. It works in conference centres, community halls, and increasingly online. What stays constant is its focus on self-organisation and genuine dialogue.

Open Space is not about controlling outcomes. It is about creating the conditions in which the most important conversations can take place—conversations that often lead to unexpected insights, new connections, and lasting change.

Open Space and Conversational Leadership

In the practice of Conversational Leadership, Open Space reminds us that leadership is less about directing and more about creating the conditions for dialogue. By stepping back, inviting participation, and trusting people’s choices, we enable conversations that lead to shared learning, deeper understanding, and collective action.

When we use Open Space, we begin by trusting our ability to organise ourselves. If we want real dialogue, we set the agenda together and move where we can contribute. In this way, we create conversations that matter, guided by responsibility rather than control.

Resources

• Website: Open Space World
• Wikipedia: Unconference