Open Space facilitators

[Esther Ewing]

Harrison:
I love that you are not afraid to hug. And when we act out of instincts and when we are being authentic, it shouldn't be misunderstood. That is not to say that it doesn't happen. However, the Canadian bankers that I have met are great - and I've hugged more than a few!!

Esther, a Canadian friend!

-----Original Message-----
From:   OSLIST [SMTP:OSLIST at listserv.idbsu.edu] On Behalf Of owen
Sent:   Monday, March 01, 1999 5:43 PM
To:     OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject:        Re: Open Space facilitators

I find this discussion to be wonderful -- and best of all there probably is no one right answer...
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Joe said ......
>I want to reinterate that I am sure that in some or many cases the effect of
>changing roles would be neutral at worst. However, informal as it is, this is
>a discussion of professional standards. This is no longer Harrison and a few
>others doing magical work.  It is about many people who adhere to very
>differing professional codes or none at all.  I have to say that think it is
>dangerous, even irresponsible to suggest that there should be no standard of
>practice regarding this question. Joe
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The question of professional standards (the standards of a professional) is not a light one. I am quite clear that for PRACTICAL reasons I do not do sessions in an environment where I am a stranger. And for many of the same practical reasons, I do not intervene in anybody else's session either to contribute or to make process suggestions. (Folks pretty well do it on their own, and in the process of figuring things out they only get stronger.) But would I go so far as to say that I SHOULD never intervene, offer a session, or contribute to one -- and I think the answer is no. It all depends.
        I have had situations (very rare) where somebody basically "freaked out" with all the freedom of Open Space. Some people cannot take Freedom Shock. It makes them very nervous and quite dysfunctional. In such a case, I did what came quite naturally. I held them until they  could find the ground again -- a good hug does wonders. But it has its risks. Was I going to be hauled up on charges of sexual harrassment? Possibly, but it seemed the humane thing to do. And frankly I responded quite instinctually, and certainly before a lengthy thought process could kick in.
        I guess that might be the pivotal question for me -- what is the humane thing to do? And corollary to that -- am I being authentic in my response? If the drive is ego (somebody else was talking about this) the notion of authenticity goes out the window. Anyhow, I can think of some "safe" suggestions for professional behavior -- like be careful of those hugs. But the only problem is that hugging seems to be endemic to Open Space. I have even seen Canadian Bankers do it (Sorry to my financial friends north of our border) -- Was I going to stand there and say "I don't hug" -- Anybody who knows me would know THAT  was a bald face lie.

So I hear Joe's request for Professional Standards (no committees please!) but at the end of the day I have to ask what is humane, what is authentic -- and for the rest -- throw caution to the winds.  Whoever said Open Space was without risk?

Harrison

Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD 20854   USA
301-469-9269 (phone)
301-983-9314 (fax)
email owen at tmn.com
Website <http://www.tmn.com/~owen>
Open Space Institute website
<http://www.tmn.com/openspace>