anecdotes that caused me to smile

[Denis Hitchens]

>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 :)

But Birgitt:  "OS doesn't need to be sold!"  only have objections handled ??


 Hope you also smiled at
>the anecdotes.

I did thank you

>Birgitt Bolton
>
>