AW: 2108 -- Remember the Number-more questions by Birgitt
Pannwitz, Michael M
mmpanne at snafu.de
Tue Jun 17 12:46:07 PDT 2003
Dear Birgitt,
here some of my thoughts to your additional questions:
On Thu, 12 Jun 2003 13:20:58 -0400, Birgitt Williams wrote:
>Your responses generated further questions and comments within me.
>
>1. I was interested in both of you commenting that announcing the topics was
>an integral part of OST for you and that this was not on your list of "one
>more thing not to do". I would be very interested in what your lists of
>integral ingredients for a well done OST meeting are---not just the
>description in the User's Guide but what you actually do in your OST
>facilitation.
1.1 I stick pretty much to the traditional script.
In my practice, I am very clear on that it is not me but the sponsor
who opens the space.
That has let me to be always outside of the circle until the sponsor
has opened the space and invited me to introduce ost.
The second thing that I emphasize is the "focusing the group" part
which to me is an opportunity to invite the group to focus on
itself...to me that is the crossing from someone is telling us
something to we are on our own.
The rest is just standard...although I have spent a lot of effort
together with a bunch of colleagues to get the whole thing into
German.
Oh yes, there is one variance: after inviting people to state their
issues, I leave the circle and do as little as possible till all the
issues are posted.
>2. I was interested that Harrison notes that 1 1/2 hours for the
>opening/agenda/marketplace is standard and for Michael that a built in
>coffee time before the first session is standard. I had remembered being
>taught by Harrison to get this all done as quickly as possible and
>preferably in less than an hour so that the energy didn't diminish. It
>appears from your reporting that the energy doesn't diminish even with 2
>hours before the first session.
2.1 In fact, I am not much concerned about energy diminishing, there
always seems loads of it. I certainly would not do anything in the
direction of keeping energy up. In a recent event a participant asked
me to do something so that energy would come up again which elicited
the response from another participant: we just created space for
ourselves to have little energy!
Its not that I build in a coffee break...it just seems to happen
every time regardless of whether there is time before the first
break-out session. Many seem to just need a break after what might
perhaps have been an intensive one hour or so with lots of unusual
stuff taking place.
It seems to work fine to allow 1hour and 30 minutes from the very
beginning until the first scheduled breakout session which sometimes
is the time that people start and sometimes not.
>3. Your design allowed you three session times. I would be very interested
>in hearing more about your decision making of having 3 rather than more
>session times and why you chose the length of time for each session that you
>did.
3.1 In general, three sessions seem to allow for choices to have the
market experience. In this particular case there was enough time for
three sessions, not more. One session was stretched a little to leave
some more room for grabbing some food from the scrumptous buffet.
>4. As I understand it, the agenda wall was the full use of three walls that
>were set up so that every meter there was a number posted, for the report
>number---this had the topics posted side by side and always allowing for a
>meter. How did you handle the space and time assignments with what you set
>up. And where on the wall did those extra topics that you had not counted on
>go? Do you have any recommendations for us about using this kind of
>organized agenda wall? Could people easily find the topics for any given
>time slot to see easily what the choices were to choose from--or did they
>have to walk along to read the three walls?
4.1 In fact, there was 150 meter wall space. We divided it into 3
wallspaces each 50 meters long.
Each of the 3 walls was assigned one of the three starting times.
Each of the three walls had 50 numbered slots representing the
breakoutrooms.
It appeared to work, even though there were more than 150 issues.
When you take a close look at some of the photographs of the agenda
wall you notice that people had bunched topics...dont ask me how they
did it in the huge amount of information that they had to process.
But they did and it worked better than any plan we might have
designed. In the end, 180 groups met (we had set up 10 additional
break out rooms, so there were three times 60 planned opportunities
for groups to meet).
I did not pay much attention on how people navigated this mess but
others did and reported that it worked.
>5. Harrison, you note that one of the reasons you chose Michael to work with
>you is that he would do a good job of dealing with the logistics and of
>working effectively with the client. What work in your opinion does the
>facilitator (or in this case designate) take on regarding the logistics and
>what is expected in "dealing with the client"? And Michael, what was the
>pre-work that you had to do. How many meetings were involved and what kind
>of things did you need to cover and to get involved in? I think there was
>some brilliant decision making for some very difficult challenges such as
>the cushions on the floor, the balloons from which to hang the signs and so
>on.
5.1 As pointed out earlier and by others I should have drawn a
clearer line between my "organisation" role and the "facilitation"
role. There was a grand team of assistants and helpers and they
certainly did not need me the last 10 hours before the event. Well,
control again, even at old age.
There was a lot of work with the client the months before the event.
All in all about 15 days spread over 5 months, including several
trips to the site, sessions with the planning group designing the
theme for the day and meetings with the team, trying out the balloons
and with my grandchildren, painting bumble bees, buying and ordering
things...well the usual stuff but at a different scale.
When I get to it, I will write up a list of all the things that had
to be organized.
The client was heavily involved in designing a 4 day event with 2500
people and 200 speakers from all over the world, booking every hotel
room in the small town of Wuerzburg, organizing the tents and
coordinating a crew of 150 people for the catering, registration,
toilets, security....I had nothing to do with all that but decisions
were made all the time that often were not communicated and then
surprises at the last moment. Oh, we had to be flexible.
>6. What were the client expectations for this one day OST event? What were
>you assisting the client to achieve? I note in reading the reports that the
>reports themselves are often vague and probably mean something only to those
>who participated in that particular discussion (this is not unusual for OST
>reports unless the report form has more structure). Did the client
>expectations/goals get met not only for the event itself but expectations of
>what might emerge following the event?
6.1 The expectation was for the participants to reflect on their
experience and learning of the first three days of the conference and
to project into the time after the conference.
Everyone seemed to feel that this was achieved...including for the
time after the conference, although the news isnt in on that.
As far as I observe, reports, no matter how the structure, are just
the backdrop for possible action. Now here, there was no structured
action planning. From what I experience action will be taken even if
there is no structured action planning. So even in this
"unstructured" (by whom? what structure?) situation, surprises are
ahead.
Also, what I experienced is that stringent action planning can be
counterproductive...at least as far as the expectation of the client
is concerned but very productive from other points of view. Ok,
confusing but normal.
>7. I noted with great curiousity that you both did your own unique style of
>the opening rather than one being a translation of the other. I am
>fascinated to hear more about this because it taps right into the answer of
>the question of "what does it mean to open space?". Based on two different
>openings within the same group within the same time, there is clearly
>something that is in common that actually opens the space. Any comments that
>you have regarding this would be appreciated. I also know, having
>experienced each of you "opening space" that you each have VERY different
>energies and styles.
7.1 Well, I keep insisting that it is not me opening space, others
see that differently.
Regardless, it is clear that ho and mmp each have their particular
style in introducing ost.
>From my observation people enjoyed that difference, whatever it is,
it created a light and alive kind of setting and we did not seem to
get too much into their way.
>8. I was also interested by your comments, Harrison, regarding "Effective
>Open Space facilitation requires the subtle, conscious, and sensitive use of
>both." referring to the facilitator tapping into his/her male and female
>energy and the male/female energy in the group. I wonder if you could please
>say a little more regarding your assessment of "Effective Open Space
>Facilitation" rather than Ineffective Open Space Facilitation. Is it somehow
>tied into this male/female energy in your opinion?
8.1 This question is addressed to Harrison.
Still, I feel urged to say that this image of "tapping into the
energy" (of me, the group) is something I cant get close to, it is
not part of my approach, at least not consciously.
Energy seems not only present in many different ways but belongs to
those elements of chaos, confusion and conflict that appear to be at
the core of selforganisation.
To me, effective facilitation pays attention to the conditions for
selforganisation to unfold (at the same time I am very cautious being
pretty sure that selforganisation unfolds pretty damn independent of
my facilitation). Later, Birgitt, you also referred to the "bigger
Open Space" which seems to suggest that there is also a smaller open
space...does that have something to do with the energy?
One final thought on "effective" facilitation: somehow, and I have
seen many different styles of introducing ost, it always seems to
work pretty well, mostly amazingly well regardless of what I perceive
to be "effective" facilitation.
Peace
mmp
>
>Again, both of you, thank you for this great story to learn from.
>
>
>Blessings to you and to all with whom you make Genuine Contact,
>Birgitt
>
>Birgitt Williams of Dalar International Consultancy
>www.dalarinternational.com
>
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>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Harrison
>Owen
> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:16 AM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: Re: AW: 2108 -- Remember the Number
>
>
> At 10:09 PM 6/11/2003 -0400, Birgitt wrote:
>
>
> The group raised a number of questions that we hope we can do some
>learning from you about.
> 1. The next time, would you have had participants announce their topics
>or would you have left the announcing part out? What happened to the energy
>when this part took so long (about two hours?)?
>
> The actual "announcements" took about 30 min. We had, in fact allowed 2
>hours from the start until the beginning of the first session -- just to be
>safe. As it turned out, the group was a little slow in arrival (big party
>the night before) so we got started for real a little "late" -- which of
>course was the right time. And so it turned out that everything took place
>in the "standard 1 and 1/2 hours. I would never leave the announcements
>out -- for lots of reasons. 1) Hearing the topics is a natural "edit" -- if
>somebody says "my topic" I don't have to. 2) Announcing the topic is and act
>of commitment -- most important expression of passion AND responsibility.
>And yes -- it did seem to go on. . . it always does, I find. But it was
>truly awesome.
>
>
> 2. The next time, would you limit the number of topics as you did this
>time. Your agenda wall with its very clear organization for topics was
>interesting but it is my understanding that you planned for 160 topics but
>many more were generated and there was no planned way to deal with them. It
>didn't look like the agenda wall left any room for the "unplanned". And yet,
>maybe limiting the topics was necessary.
>
> We did not limit the topics. We had guessed (or more exactly Michael and I
>guessed) that 150 would be the max. Prior to the gathering Michael and I
>placed informal bets (Beer for all team members bought by the loser) -- but
>both were off by a wide margin. So we all drank a lot of beer. As for more
>spaces -- just blew up more balloons. Seemed to work perfectly.
>
>
> 3. The next time, would you have used cushions on the floor as you did
>to accomodate the number of people. We thought that there was probably a lot
>of discomfort esp when we became aware of how long people had to be in their
>seats for the agenda building.
>
> Given the space available -- there was no choice but cushions. We did have
>chairs around the edges for those who's age or egos prevented sitting on the
>floor. Personally i didn't hear any complaints, and for sure the cushions
>(along with the balloons and floating signs) contributed to the total
>atmosphere. So yes -- chairs would have been nice. But the cushions were
>brilliant (Michael's Idea).
>
>
> 5. Could one of you have facilitated this meeting on your own or did it
>really require the two of you to "open" and then "hold" the space. What was
>your reflection about it being so much male energy in the facilitation--two
>men opening the space instead of one male and one female? Did you feel that
>sharing the opening of the space was a positive effect on your own energy or
>did co-facilitating deflect some of your energy to your partner?
>
> One person, speaking both English and German could easily have handled the
>situation. But doing it together (speaking just for myself) was a real treat
>and privilege. The Program said that I would do the opening, and Michael
>would translate. At the very beginning, I made it clear that was not the
>case. I said, "Michael will do his thing, I will do mine -- and with luck we
>will arrive at the same place." We did. When it comes to the male/female
>energy thing I have to say that it had occurred to me to invite a woman
>partner, and there would have been a number of wonderful candidates. I chose
>Michael for two reasons. First, I had absolute confidence in his ability to
>deal effectively with the difficult logistics and work effectively with the
>client. Not that others couldn't have -- but with Michael, there wasn't even
>a speck of worry. The second reason, and probably the major reason, was that
>Michael and I had worked together long enough and often enough so that I
>knew there would be an easy flow between us. Two people in a single dance. I
>called it a "duet" -- changing metaphors. But dance or song -- it did flow.
>And was there too much male energy? That is a question that somebody else
>will have to answer, but my feeling is, no. Male and female energy is
>something that all of us, regardless of gender, possess. Effective Open
>Space facilitation requires the subtle, conscious, and sensitive use of
>both. Some people can do this first time, no practice, just go. Personally I
>have found that I can "do" male energy quite well -- but I have to make a
>special intent to honor my feminine. It has been an interesting journey of
>67 years, but I think I am making some progress. Perfect, no -- but
>progress.
>
>
> 6. What is the real advantage in a large OST meeting such as this one?
>What was accomplished that could be cited as tangible results? Would it
>have been better to break the large group into smaller ie:600 person
>simultaneous OST meetings? Would that have been better for the participants.
>We noted in the pictures that some of the breakout groups had hundreds of
>participants and we were imagining that it would not be very
>fulfilling---but Erich pointed out that likely these in fact were like
>classes continuing on with masters from the "constellation work" so they
>were not meant to be really interactive.
>
> There is something truly awesome when you have the Whole System in the
>room. There is a richness and energy that you will not find in any other
>situation. At a practical level -- our experience in Wuerzburg demonstrated
>to me that given the space, numbers aren't an issue. I have tried dividing
>large groups in the same area -- and found that they all got back together
>again anyhow. Of course, we have also done simultaneous, multi-site OS --
>but that was due to budget and travel constraints. And were it possible to
>do them again, I would have opted for a single site. The fact that the break
>out sessions got rather large does not relate to the total size of the
>group. I have worked with groups 1/4 the size (500) and had large (75)
>sessions. My learning is that whatever we learned about "Optimal Group Size"
>isn't worth much -- The real criteria in not numbers, but does it work? I
>have seen groups of 2 being totally dysfunctional and groups of 75+ just
>flying. And of course there is always the Law of Two Feet. If the group is
>too big (multiple issues) use 'em. Of course, there is a learning curve,.
>and in a one day OS, some folks are still caught in concrete. But they
>learn.
>
>
> 7. In what circumstances would you recommend such a large OST meeting
>and what could the client expect to achieve?
>
> Criteria for use??? Same as always. Issue of major, common concern, lots
>of diversity. mind blowing complexity, presence of conflict... Open Space.
>The numbers don't matter.
>
> Harrison
>
>
> Harrison Owen
> 7808 River Falls Drive
> Potomac, MD 20854 USA
> phone 301-365-2093
> Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
> Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
> Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm
>
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>------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C330E5.7689EB20
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><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>Dear Harrison =
>and=20
>Michael,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>Thank you both =
>for taking=20
>the time to respond so carefully. Although large OST events are not =
>unusual, you=20
>have certainly done the largest and I think the only example of such a =
>large one=20
>in only one day rather than a multi day design. This event has given us =
>all a=20
>chance to learn from you and your experience and I think that there is =
>more=20
>learning to be done. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT =
>face=3DArial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>Your responses =
>generated=20
>further questions and comments within me. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT =
>face=3DArial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>1. I was =
>interested in both=20
>of you commenting that announcing the topics was an integral part of OST =
>for you=20
>and that this was not on your list of "one more thing not to do". I =
>would be=20
>very interested in what your lists of integral ingredients for a well =
>done OST=20
>meeting are---not just the description in the User's Guide but what you =
>actually=20
>do in your OST facilitation. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>2. I was =
>interested that=20
>Harrison notes that 1 1/2 hours for the opening/agenda/marketplace is =
>standard=20
>and for Michael that a built in coffee time before the first session is=20
>standard. I had remembered being taught by Harrison to get this all done =
>as=20
>quickly as possible and preferably in less than an hour so that the =
>energy=20
>didn't diminish. It appears from your reporting that the energy doesn't =
>diminish=20
>even with 2 hours before the first session.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>3. Your design =
>allowed you=20
>three session times. I would be very interested in hearing more about =
>your=20
>decision making of having 3 rather than more session times and why you =
>chose the=20
>length of time for each session that you did. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>4. As I =
>understand it, the=20
>agenda wall was the full use of three walls that were set up so that =
>every meter=20
>there was a number posted, for the report number---this had the topics =
>posted=20
>side by side and always allowing for a meter. How did you handle the =
>space and=20
>time assignments with what you set up. And where on the wall did those =
>extra=20
>topics that you had not counted on go? Do you have any recommendations =
>for us=20
>about using this kind of organized agenda wall? Could people easily find =
>the=20
>topics for any given time slot to see easily what the choices were to =
>choose=20
>from--or did they have to walk along to read the three=20
>walls?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>5. Harrison, =
>you note that=20
>one of the reasons you chose Michael to work with you is that he would =
>do a good=20
>job of dealing with the logistics and of working effectively with the =
>client.=20
>What work in your opinion does the facilitator (or in this case =
>designate) take=20
>on regarding the logistics and what is expected in "dealing with the =
>client"?=20
>And Michael, what was the pre-work that you had to do. How many meetings =
>were=20
>involved and what kind of things did you need to cover and to get =
>involved in? I=20
>think there was some brilliant decision making for some very difficult=20
>challenges such as the cushions on the floor, the balloons from which to =
>hang=20
>the signs and so on.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>6. What were =
>the client=20
>expectations for this one day OST event? What were you assisting the =
>client to=20
>achieve? I note in reading the reports that the reports themselves are =
>often=20
>vague and probably mean something only to those who participated in that =
>
>particular discussion (this is not unusual for OST reports unless the =
>report=20
>form has more structure). Did the client expectations/goals get met not =
>only for=20
>the event itself but expectations of what might emerge following the=20
>event?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>7. I noted with =
>great=20
>curiousity that you both did your own unique style of the opening rather =
>than=20
>one being a translation of the other. I am fascinated to hear more about =
>this=20
>because it taps right into the answer of the question of "what does it =
>mean to=20
>open space?". Based on two different openings within the same group =
>within the=20
>same time, there is clearly something that is in common that actually =
>opens the=20
>space. Any comments that you have regarding this would be appreciated. I =
>also=20
>know, having experienced each of you "opening space" that you each =
>have=20
>VERY different energies and styles. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>8. I was=20
>also interested by your comments, Harrison, regarding =
>"</FONT><FONT=20
>face=3D"Times New Roman">Effective Open Space facilitation requires the =
>subtle,=20
>conscious, and sensitive use of both." referring to the facilitator =
>tapping into=20
>his/her male and female energy and the male/female energy in the group. =
>I wonder=20
>if you could please say a little more regarding your assessment of =
>"Effective=20
>Open Space Facilitation" rather than Ineffective Open Space =
>Facilitation. Is it=20
>somehow tied into this male/female energy in your =
>opinion?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003></SPAN> </DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT face=3DArial>Again, both of =
>you, thank=20
>you for this great story to learn from.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003></SPAN> </DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003><FONT =
>face=3DArial></FONT></SPAN><SPAN=20
>class=3D110474416-12062003></SPAN> </DIV>
><DIV><SPAN class=3D110474416-12062003></SPAN><SPAN=20
>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT =
>size=3D3><FONT=20
>color=3D#000000>Blessings to you and to all with whom you make Genuine=20
>Contact,<?xml:namespace prefix =3D o ns =3D=20
>"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"=20
>/><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
><DIV class=3DSection1>
><P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: =
>Arial"><FONT=20
>size=3D3><FONT =
>color=3D#000000>Birgitt<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
><P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: =
>Arial"><FONT=20
>color=3D#000000 size=3D3>Birgitt Williams of Dalar International =
>Consultancy=20
></FONT><A href=3D"http://www.dalarinternational.com/"><FONT =
>color=3D#000000=20
>size=3D3>www.dalarinternational.com</FONT></A><FONT size=3D3><FONT =
>color=3D#000000>=20
><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
><P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: #333399"><FONT =
>color=3D#000000>As mentors=20
>to leaders and organizations we assist you in going beyond what has been =
>before.=20
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><P class=3DMsoNormal> </P></DIV>
><BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
> <DIV class=3DOutlookMessageHeader dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT =
>face=3DTahoma=20
> size=3D2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> OSLIST=20
> [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Harrison=20
> Owen<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:16 AM<BR><B>To:</B>=20
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: AW: 2108 -- =
>Remember the=20
> Number<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>At 10:09 PM 6/11/2003 -0400, <FONT=20
> face=3Darial>Birgitt</FONT> wrote:<BR><BR>
> <BLOCKQUOTE class=3Dcite cite=3D"" type=3D"cite"><FONT =
>face=3Darial>The group raised=20
> a number of questions that we hope we can do some learning from you =
>about.=20
> </FONT><BR><FONT face=3Darial>1. The next time, would you have had=20
> participants announce their topics or would you have left the =
>announcing=20
> part out? What happened to the energy when this part took so long =
>(about two=20
> hours?)?</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>The actual "announcements" took =
>about 30 min.=20
> We had, in fact allowed 2 hours from the start until the beginning of =
>the=20
> first session -- just to be safe. As it turned out, the group was a =
>little=20
> slow in arrival (big party the night before) so we got started for =
>real a=20
> little "late" -- which of course was the right time. And so it turned =
>out that=20
> everything took place in the "standard 1 and 1/2 hours. I would never =
>leave=20
> the announcements out -- for lots of reasons. 1) Hearing the topics is =
>a=20
> natural "edit" -- if somebody says "my topic" I don't have to. 2) =
>Announcing=20
> the topic is and act of commitment -- most important expression of =
>passion AND=20
> responsibility. And yes -- it did seem to go on. . . it always does, I =
>find.=20
> But it was truly awesome.<BR><BR>
> <BLOCKQUOTE class=3Dcite cite=3D"" type=3D"cite"><FONT face=3Darial>2. =
>The next=20
> time, would you limit the number of topics as you did this time. =
>Your agenda=20
> wall with its very clear organization for topics was =
>interesting but=20
> it is my understanding that you planned for 160 topics but many more =
>were=20
> generated and there was no planned way to deal with them. It didn't =
>look=20
> like the agenda wall left any room for the "unplanned". And yet, =
>maybe=20
> limiting the topics was necessary.</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>We did not =
>limit the=20
> topics. We had guessed (or more exactly Michael and I guessed) that =
>150 would=20
> be the max. Prior to the gathering Michael and I placed informal bets =
>(Beer=20
> for all team members bought by the loser) -- but both were off by a =
>wide=20
> margin. So we all drank a lot of beer. As for more spaces -- just blew =
>up more=20
> balloons. Seemed to work perfectly.<BR><BR>
> <BLOCKQUOTE class=3Dcite cite=3D"" type=3D"cite"><FONT face=3Darial>3. =
>The next=20
> time, would you have used cushions on the floor as you did to =
>accomodate the=20
> number of people. We thought that there was probably a lot of =
>discomfort esp=20
> when we became aware of how long people had to be in their seats for =
>the=20
> agenda building.</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Given the space available -- =
>there was=20
> no choice but cushions. We did have chairs around the edges for those =
>who's=20
> age or egos prevented sitting on the floor. Personally i didn't hear =
>any=20
> complaints, and for sure the cushions (along with the balloons and =
>floating=20
> signs) contributed to the total atmosphere. So yes -- chairs would =
>have been=20
> nice. But the cushions were brilliant (Michael's Idea).<BR><BR>
> <BLOCKQUOTE class=3Dcite cite=3D"" type=3D"cite"><FONT face=3Darial>5. =
>Could one of=20
> you have facilitated this meeting on your own or did it really =
>require the=20
> two of you to "open" and then "hold" the space. What was your =
>reflection=20
> about it being so much male energy in the facilitation--two men =
>opening the=20
> space instead of one male and one female? Did you feel that sharing =
>the=20
> opening of the space was a positive effect on your own energy or did =
>
> co-facilitating deflect some of your energy to your=20
> partner?</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>One person, speaking both English and =
>German=20
> could easily have handled the situation. But doing it together =
>(speaking just=20
> for myself) was a real treat and privilege. The Program said that I =
>would do=20
> the opening, and Michael would translate. At the very beginning, I =
>made it=20
> clear that was not the case. I said, "Michael will do his thing, I =
>will do=20
> mine -- and with luck we will arrive at the same place." We did. When =
>it comes=20
> to the male/female energy thing I have to say that it had occurred to =
>me to=20
> invite a woman partner, and there would have been a number of =
>wonderful=20
> candidates. I chose Michael for two reasons. First, I had absolute =
>confidence=20
> in his ability to deal effectively with the difficult logistics and =
>work=20
> effectively with the client. Not that others couldn't have -- but with =
>
> Michael, there wasn't even a speck of worry. The second reason, and =
>probably=20
> the major reason, was that Michael and I had worked together long =
>enough and=20
> often enough so that I knew there would be an easy flow between us. =
>Two people=20
> in a single dance. I called it a "duet" -- changing metaphors. But =
>dance or=20
> song -- it did flow. And was there too much male energy? That is a =
>question=20
> that somebody else will have to answer, but my feeling is, no. Male =
>and female=20
> energy is something that all of us, regardless of gender, possess. =
>Effective=20
> Open Space facilitation requires the subtle, conscious, and sensitive =
>use of=20
> both. Some people can do this first time, no practice, just go. =
>Personally I=20
> have found that I can "do" male energy quite well -- but I have to =
>make a=20
> special intent to honor my feminine. It has been an interesting =
>journey of 67=20
> years, but I think I am making some progress. Perfect, no -- but=20
> progress.<BR><BR>
> <BLOCKQUOTE class=3Dcite cite=3D"" type=3D"cite"><FONT face=3Darial>6. =
>What is the=20
> real advantage in a large OST meeting such as this one? What was=20
> accomplished that could be cited as tangible results? Would it =
>have=20
> been better to break the large group into smaller ie:600 person =
>simultaneous=20
> OST meetings? Would that have been better for the participants. We =
>noted in=20
> the pictures that some of the breakout groups had hundreds of =
>participants=20
> and we were imagining that it would not be very fulfilling---but =
>Erich=20
> pointed out that likely these in fact were like classes continuing =
>on with=20
> masters from the "constellation work" so they were not meant to be =
>really=20
> interactive.</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>There is something truly awesome =
>when you=20
> have the Whole System in the room. There is a richness and =
>energy that=20
> you will not find in any other situation. At a practical level -- our=20
> experience in Wuerzburg demonstrated to me that given the space, =
>numbers=20
> aren't an issue. I have tried dividing large groups in the same area =
>-- and=20
> found that they all got back together again anyhow. Of course, we have =
>also=20
> done simultaneous, multi-site OS -- but that was due to budget and =
>travel=20
> constraints. And were it possible to do them again, I would have opted =
>for a=20
> single site. The fact that the break out sessions got rather large =
>does not=20
> relate to the total size of the group. I have worked with groups 1/4 =
>the size=20
> (500) and had large (75) sessions. My learning is that whatever we =
>learned=20
> about "Optimal Group Size" isn't worth much -- The real criteria in =
>not=20
> numbers, but does it work? I have seen groups of 2 being totally =
>dysfunctional=20
> and groups of 75+ just flying. And of course there is always the Law =
>of Two=20
> Feet. If the group is too big (multiple issues) use 'em. Of course, =
>there is a=20
> learning curve,. and in a one day OS, some folks are still caught in =
>concrete.=20
> But they learn.<BR><BR>
> <BLOCKQUOTE class=3Dcite cite=3D"" type=3D"cite"><FONT face=3Darial>7. =
>In what=20
> circumstances would you recommend such a large OST meeting and what =
>could=20
> the client expect to achieve?</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Criteria for =
>use??? Same=20
> as always. Issue of major, common concern, lots of diversity. mind =
>blowing=20
> complexity, presence of conflict... Open Space. The numbers don't =
>matter.=20
> <BR><BR>Harrison<BR><X-SIGSEP>
> <P></X-SIGSEP>
> <DIV align=3Dcenter>Harrison Owen<BR>7808 River Falls =
>Drive<BR>Potomac, MD 20854=20
> USA<BR>phone 301-365-2093<BR>Open Space Training <A=20
> href=3D"http://www.openspaceworld.com/"=20
> eudora=3D"autourl">www.openspaceworld.com</A> <BR>Open Space Institute =
><A=20
> href=3D"http://www.openspaceworld.org/"=20
> eudora=3D"autourl">www.openspaceworld.org</A><BR>Personal website <A=20
> href=3D"http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm" =
>eudora=3D"autourl"><FONT=20
> =
>color=3D#0000ff>http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm</A><BR><BR=
>><U>OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR></U></FONT>To=20
> subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,<BR>view the archives of =
><FONT=20
> color=3D#0000ff><U>oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu<BR></U></FONT>Visit: =
><A=20
> href=3D"http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html"=20
> eudora=3D"autourl"><FONT=20
> =
>color=3D#0000ff><U>http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</A=
>><BR><BR><BR><BR></FONT></U></DIV>*=20
> * =
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>------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C330E5.7689EB20--
Michael M Pannwitz
boscop
Draisweg 1
12209 Berlin, Germany
FON +49 - 30-772 8000 FAX +49 - 30-773 92 464
www.michaelmpannwitz.de
An der E-Gruppe "openspacedeutsch" für deutschsprechende open space-PraktikerInnen interessiert? Enfach eine mail an mich.
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