The incredibly simple and effective engagement model, Open Space, is based on founder Harrison Owen's radical suggestion that no matter how we try to engineer and control human systems like organizations and teams, they are all intrinsically self-organizing. Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh talks about how fascinating it is that with no vision, direction or support from the mayor, people self-organize in cities to launch every valued business, enterprise and program that makes it a thriving community.
No matter how much we narrate the story that leaders make things happen, it's actually the initiatives and interactions of people who make things happen on a daily basis. When we realize all systems are self-organizing, we become able to leverage this power to benefit all.