Essence

I moved to Cary, NC, in 1996. I became enamored with the fledgling Food Channel and shows hosted by Emeril Lagasse called The Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live.

When I read Peggy Holman's post, the word essence in the title drew me in.

What I learned from Harrison Owen, creator of Open Space Technology, by Peggy Holman

Focus on essence — the form of OS is so elegantly simple that it is a clear message that what is most important is the core content of whatever the subject is. I remember a conversation with Chris Kloth at OSonOS IV [Open Space on Open Space — an annual practitioner gathering] in Washington, D.C [1996]. He told me that where other change communities he was a part of spent most of their time focused on questions and arguments about process, the OS community was always asking about essence, purpose, the core meaning of whatever it was we were discussing.

A comment from a participant: “one day in open space is the equivalent of two years of hearings. ” I think this is because when all you’ve got to pay attention to is the essence of what’s important, well, it sure makes it easier to let all the nonsense fall by the wayside and focus on getting something done!

The Essence

While I’ve always been amazed at the power of open spaces and honor Harrison Owen, I’ve continued to noodle more on the word essence and what it might imply within myself and my practice of Agile Coaching.

I’ve begun a journey of exploration in my journal where I am exploring the minimal kernel of truth (the essence) around some of the following questions—

What is the…

• Essence of what’s important

• Essence of the situation

• Essence of my presence

• Essence of my connectedness or relatedness

• Essence of being human

• Essence of myself—who am I

• Essence of my coaching

• Essence of my purpose

• Essence of my journey

I’m trying to boil things down to the simplest, clarifying point. I find that getting to the essence isn’t always fast and easy. I have to sit with myself for a while and go deep.

Getting to the essence can be incredibly focused and deeply helpful.

Stay agile, my friends,

Bob.

Postscript: I want to express my gratitude for Harrison Owen's essence and his Open Space contributions. May he rest in peace.