State of mind that keeps the attention on new or unfamiliar contributions
Introduction to the notion
Whether it be at the level of developing the methodology or the practices in the field, openness is a mark of respect and a prerequisite for true cooperation. It is expressed in concrete terms by an active listening attitude, the first step in a democratic way of working and a condition for collective creativity.
Cf. “The Open Society and Its Enemies”, 1945, Karl Popper. Without a doubt, one of the first times that the idea of openness was carried to its acme.
Comment
Being concerned about openness is what makes the enhancements of the method and its continuous improvement possible. The flows thus allowed must, however, be regulated. A method is a highly structured system and one that obeys rules of construction. New contributions must therefore, almost always, undergo processing before being able to harmoniously fit in with the rest.