One More Thing Not To Do

[Harrison Owen]

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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