5 ways to have a great time at Open Source Open Society 2016
There’s a conference coming up very soon in Wellington, New Zealand, hosted by Enspiral and Wellington City Council. It’s no ordinary convergence of people and ideas. The Enspiral network is known for doing things differently, and at Open Source Open Society there’s not just world-class content but also an opportunity for a special human experience.
At the inaugural OS//OS in 2015, no one knew what to expect.
It was more like …OS??OS
But from the friendly opening to plenary sessions where all participants participated; from the firey open space sessions to the live art emerging on the walls which reflects the content; and from the international speakers to the after party, the first OS//OS has set the standard and the next one is just around the corner (Aug 22 & 23rd 2016).
A friend emailed me.
For anyone curious about how to have a fantastic experience, here’s some helpful hints to ensure you get the most out of OS//OS 2016, and leave inspired.
- Embrace the diversity
There will be hundreds of beautiful, different people at OS//OS. This gathering represents a collisions of worlds, a fusion of policy, science and culture and it is a moment to open up to a future you hadn’t seen as possible before. This “Aha moment” will only arrive if you can take in the diversity. Seek out people with whom you might disagree or typically avoid, and see if you are willing to change your mind on a topic. Whether it’s an intergenerational hallway conversation or attending a session you know nothing about — embrace the diversity.
2. Show up with a mission
I would suggest giving yourself a mission “I want to test this one idea I have on at least 10 people” and then sticking to that challenge. You can overcome social barriers in a second if you know that you’ve given yourself a challenge to complete. It breaks the ice and gives immediate value to every interaction. It could be a very open question: “I want to ask 5 people older than me what their best decision was in their 20s”, or more specific to the conference “I will talk to someone after every session and ask them what new perspective it gave them, and give them my insight too.” Don’t be afraid to just go up to people to talk even if you don’t know them. Having a mission helps start constructive conversations.
3. Be your whole self, not just a name-tag
Don’t show up in your role / title / profession. Show up as your whole self; everything from your interests as a child to your formative ideas of philosophy when you were a teenager to your complex questions about the state of the world right now and contemplations from your personal life. It’s more fun when we can empathise with each other easily, rather than perceiving barriers about how to talking to individuals with whom you seemingly have little in common. Showing up as a walking professional title limits your capacity to establish meaningful connections with other people and your capacity to absorb creativity stemming from the conference. To leave OS//OS with a new outlook on life, show up as you; not just your professional identity.
4. Be present for human moments
Ask people to tell you stories, and try to eat and drink with people. Pay attention to those you speak with, don’t stress about making meetings happen afterwards or swapping business cards unless you want to. Be present enough with someone to uncover your excitement to further the conversation, rather than fervently go around trying to spread your conference networking feeling or evangelise your ideas. Be direct if you don’t want to talk to someone right in that moment, or if you need to leave (of course!!!), but don’t stress about the opportunity cost of missing a session if you’re deeply involved in a conversation which feels valuable and special.
5. Ask for help
Show up to OS//OS with a concrete request. People LOVE to help. Ask for advice on a decision you need to make in the coming weeks, ask for connections to people doing something similar to you, ask for someone to fill out a short survey — what ever genuinely helps you. Everyone loves having their ideas and perspectives appreciated and sought-out. You can also ask organisers for direction or advice on which talks and workshops to attend, or even whether there’s a room to go to and have some quiet time in or a quick nap (there will be one!) — having your needs met and helping you have an amazing experience is a priority for the people around you at OS//OS.
NOW: Imagine if everyone who bought a ticket showed up like this.
Give yourself permission to create reciprocity, invoke abundance, and expect to change your mind. Share this with anyone else coming along to OS//OS that you know, or invite someone else to attend if you know they would love this sort of conference. Enjoy yourself!
This post was partially inspired by attending the recent Effective Altruism Global gathering in Berkeley, California where participants were encouraged to go beyond their personal biases. Thanks EA!
