One More Thing Not To Do

Fri Feb 18 11:30:20 PST 2000

Different viewpoints in the Open Space of this universe add to our vast
treasure of life. My friend Ward often says that if we each agree with each
other, more than one of us is not needed. (this phrase may serve him well in
our married life :-))

I have been following the discussion on advanced planning and on Harrison's
"one more thing not to do". I agree that once the space is opened it is up
to the facilitator to get out of the way, to hold the space and so on. And I
highly endorse personal practices of getting to a state where the
facilitator respects the wisdom of the group, and doesn't get their own
stuff (particularly need to fix) in the way. And personal preparation is
different for each of us, and a lifetime practice just for really living.
Whatever works, do it.  I call this making genuine contact ---with Source
(Spirit, however interpreted), with a collective (group/organization), with
one other, and with the self. And living from that place.

I also know that the actual opening of space--the circle, the words, and not
letting space invaders take over is very very controlling and not open at
all. Does anyone dare admit how controlled and controlling the opening is?
Not at all in the land of being open. Interestingly, to get really open, one
needs to control the making of the container for the opening. And then I see
that the stage of convergence is also very controlled. Bunker/Alban said
this is not Open Space Technology and so it is just an add on that Harrison
thought of after the fact. I personally see it as very much a part of Open
Space Technology and don't close the circle until after we know what the
priorities are for the collective, and what next steps they want to take on
those. Which takes me to an interesting story. I remember working with
Harrison at a conference. It is one we have each told the tale of a number
of times because there was so much conflict and we each had to really stay
out of it and hold the space and at the end, a co alition was formed,
conflict had been addressed well, and the group gave great thanks to each of
us for how we held the space. But a part of the story I haven't told  often
is the part to do with convergence and moving things to next steps. Even
though at that point I had attended about 4 of Harrison's training sessions,
had previously worked with him, and been in many discussions with him, I had
never heard of this convergence. It didn't appear in the first version of
the users guide. and only has about a paragraph in the current
version.So....we were in the final morning of the Open Space and the next
thing I knew, voting was happening using computers, we were whipping flip
chart stands around the room and quickly writing on them. Busy, busy action
to get things moving as the group voted and then broke into action intended
groupings. Once I caught my breath, I asked Harrison what this was. He
replied "convergence" as though I should have known about it and he was
perplexed that I didn't. I said he'd never mentioned it before. All of this
activity is also controlled, using traditional facilitation practices
although shifting them a bit to be congruent with the values of Open Space
Technology. So, there is the really OPEN SPACE and there is the total
picture of Open Space Technology and they are not the same, at least in my
experience.

Having said that, I continue to encourage personal preparation as spoken
about by others. It is ONE important aspect of facilitating Open Space
Technology well. To understand the art of being, and not doing. Which allows
us to experience Spirit.

I also encourage that theme, givens, and logistics get worked out up front.
And in the process, as Larry says, one might find that there is more work to
be done to create the organizational conditions for Open Space Technology.
Or one might find that OST is not the best way to go. The way I look at this
is that it really is the sponsor that opens the space in the organization.
We are merely the facilitators who facilitate (open the space) an Open Space
Technology meeting. They live with their organization before the event. They
open the space for it to happen. They live with the aftermath be it good or
bad. I want to equip them with the best that I have to offer so that they
too can attend to their personal preparation and organizational preparation
for Open Space Technology to do its work. And for space to be opened, if
only for a short while, enabling whatever is needed to be experienced. I
have respect for sponsors as human beings and know they will go through a
number of things, generally including personal fear. I can't and don't want
to take this away from them, but like a good midwife, I can prepare them for
it, and tell them it is normal, when it is happening.

I continue to encourage that Open Space Technology be well done, which will
be different for each of us as we bring our unique gifts. There is no
"right" way, but we can give it our best. It is one of the reasons why I
have such a strong commitment to having developed and leading a "training"
program. Through it, I share my experiences, my preparation with sponsors
and why, how I work with sponsors in a debrief meeting, as well as emphasing
both essence and form. I am running with my passion and with that for which
I am prepared to take responsibility.

I don't get into thinking of "one more thing not to do". I don't want to
limit myself from finding one more thing that I might want to do if it is
from my heart, in keeping with Open Space principles. I realize that people
using the Law of Two Feet applies to their reaction to me too. I focus my
energies and efforts on truth, authenticity, non-judgement, and making
genuine contact--me making genuine contact, me assisting others to make
genuine contact. Including assisting a group to create the conditions for
Open Space Technology to be used. Including assisting them in clarifying
what the parameters for the Open Space are.  If this is seen as too much
traditional interference, I plead guilty as charged. If this is seen as an
approach that works/has the potential of working, I invite you to do a
learning journey with me and whoever else shows up in that group (we learn
from one another).

Birgitt

Birgitt Williams
Make Genuine Contact!
Dalar Associates: organizational
effectiveness consultants

Striving for Success? Ready to exceed
your expectations?

Contact us for consulting services, training,
conference and meeting facilitation,
and keynote speaking.

www.openspacetechnology.com

  -----Original Message-----
  From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
  Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2000 5:25 PM
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
  Subject: One More Thing Not To Do

  Bitgitt's most recent note said or implied some nice things about me, a
few of which might actually be true --

  "One other element I have brought into some training sessions that I have
done with Harrison, when I interrupt him to do a stage whisper with
participants: there are those things to do with Open Space Technology that
Harrison and only Harrison can do/get away with because he is Harrison. And
then there is the real world for the rest of us and sometimes we have a few
extra steps :-) " B. Williams

  At least I thought they might be nice, but how-some-ever, I do want to
take small issue. Particularly about those things which I alone can do -- or
get away with.

  I am not so modest to as to be blind to some of the special quirks I may
bring to Open Space, and the position of founder does provide a certain
licence to innovate.

  However, I am absolutely convinced that there is nothing that I do or,
don't do, that can't equally well be done (not done) by just about anybody
else -- should they care to.

  This is not about the details, and certainly not about mimicking all my
moves and words. God forbid. It is about being authentically who you are in
such a fashion that space is opened, and folks are truly invited to the
dance. So, to do what I do is not to be what I be. Rather it is to be you --
fully and completely. And that, of course, only you can do.

  Needless to say, I can't tell you how to do that -- but I do have a
suggestion. Something that has worked for me over the years. It's simple,
just think of one more thing not to do, and don't do it.

  Many people newly arrived in Open Space as facilitators try ever so hard
to get it all "right." There is some value in this if only because we --
that is all of us over the years -- have learned a few things which new
folks might as well take advantage of (start in a circle, create a bulletin
board, open the market place, get out of the way). It is probably a good
place to start. But don't stop there.

  My learning has been that a lot of what gets done additionally
accomplishes two useful, but not central goals. It keeps the sponsor happy
(he/she thinks you are doing something) and it keeps the facilitator happy
(you have something to DO.)

  Not bad. But there is a price tag. Any time you do something, particularly
something that is "right," you run the risk of throwing a veil over that
critical contribution only you can make -- which is you just being there.

  Anyhow, I think I do "Harrison" pretty well. Somehow he appeared from
underneath all that stuff that I had been taught to do, felt was "right to
do,"  sensed I ought to do. It isn't perfect, but it feels better and better
particularly when I think of one more thing not to do. Try it, you might
like it.

  Harrison

  Harrison Owen
  7808 River Falls Drive
  Potomac, MD 20854
  USA
  phone 301-469-9269
  fax 301-983-9314
  website
  www.mindspring.com/~owenhh
  Open Space Institute websites
  www.openspaceworld.org

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