In the weeks following the Art of Hosting at the Shire, I’ve found myself wanting to write something about it but not quite knowing what. So… in quasi-bullet format, I’ll endeavour to post some random musings of same.
• I think there is a fair bit of value in stripping away the language that surrounds this work. Maybe a good checkpoint in hosting work would be to simply ask yourself the following: Is the language I’m using helping the idea and spirit of the Art of Hosting spread? Is the language I’m using helping to enhance understanding of the Art of Hosting?
• Also on language… it creates a barrier to entry. Plain and simple. This work wants to spread, it wants to be taken up in various parts of our world. Let it.
• My particular interest is in how this work can extend into the business world. I keep coming to the conclusion that what business needs is a CHO – a Chief Hosting Officer. Damn the CEO bit… COO, etc. Chief Hosting Officers would understand that the source for sustainable competitive advantage lies in their ability to create and hold the space for the co-creation of success however it is defined in the organization. Further, CHO’s would understand that it is not enough for an organization to flourish – the environment and communities in which it operates must also co-create and share that success. Chief Hosting Officers would also recognize the benefits associated with co-creating an organization in concert with customers and all other stakeholders as well. I could write forever on this. I just might in a future post.
• Ask yourself – who does this work need to reach in order to spread? Think Gladwell and The Tipping Point. And then ask yourself what impact it would have in our world if they were reached.
• There really is something to physical space and its impact. Nothing new about that. Suffice it to say that the Shire’s Art of Hosting would not have been nearly the success it was without the yurt. Good stuff that.
• When design is grounded in honest and good intent – with seasoned mates – it doesn’t take long. Brilliance can emerge in minutes – and does.
• Open Space Technology is a powerful thing. The world needs more.
• You don’t have to look far to find good people doing great work.
• If everyone sang around campfires the world would be vastly different than it is today.
That’s all for now. Robert and Chris have both written pieces here and here. Check ‘em out.
