anecdotes that caused me to smile

[Birgitt Bolton]

I was in conversation with a fellow this morning who had some questions to
ask about Open Space. I'll be doing Open Space in his organization and he
just wanted to be clear that I was not going to do "that touchy feely" kind
of stuff, because the folks he deals with just wouldn't put up with that. He
underlined this point with the fact that there is a long history of conflict
and did I really think Open Space would work in conflict and did I really
think I was up to the amount of conflict. The conflict has about a forty
year history and has been brewing well. I heard the story. And replied "I
hate to point out that you are not unique, but I have yet to work with an
organization that doesn't have conflict'. Seemed this response worked much
better than extolling the virtues of Open Space in conflict. He said "I
see". And that was that.

Then I explained about the "givens" or "non-negotiables" including that in
the opening as in all Open Space openings everywhere, I would acknowledge
that the wisdom to do what was needed was present in the room and that each
person was a wise person and we should look around the room as though at
each other for the first time, seeing each other as wise people. I did
extoll at too great a length the virtues of being clear about the "givens"
so that people knew what was up for decision and what was not. There was a
pause. He responded saying "what you've just described is like an
auctioneer. The auctioneer always starts out by suggesting a bid, getting
the sights of everyone up to what is possible by clarity about the
expectation. The bidding usually starts lower when people get at it, but if
the auctioneer is any good, the bidding not only gets to the suggested bid
but usually surpasses it". I liked his anecdote.

We then had a discussion about uptight personalities and I assured him that
I had done Open Space with groups thought to be quite uptight (and I know my
generalities here are offensive and stereotyping which is unfair, but it
does make for a good story) including accountants and engineers and doctors
and that they blossomed in Open Space. Again there was a pause. I was just
getting ready to be more "convincing" when he replied "after all, Bob
Newhart was an accountant".

I think I'll get this fellow on my marketing team :) Hope you also smiled at
the anecdotes.
Birgitt Bolton