Unintended Consequences. . .

[Harrison Owen]

Karen Wrote:
For this reason, before stepping aside I *might* have named some of
what I was feeling swirling throughout the space, perhaps even noting
my own held breath (if it was held), as a method to make it "okay" for
others to do the same. This is important, I believe, because as the
individuals in the group "own" their experience, there will be less
"un-owned stuff" swirling about the group and causing havoc on others.
Through the acts of noticing and naming, we allow ourselves to be
present with what's happening, while also remaining non-attached.


I guess I didn't make fully clear my actions and words. In fact I did just what Karen suggests. As  a preamble to my departure, I likened the situation to living on the San Andreas Fault (earthquake zone in California) For years it is all quiet, and then the last molecule of rock melts under the pressure and the great tectonic plates shift -- violently. So also living in an organization. Things seem same old/same old -- and then what everybody knows, but nobody says is spoken. The world shifts. And when that happens disorientation is the automatic result. The temptation is to run -- but where? Before action it is useful to know where you are and where you are going -- or you will never know when you get there. After a few more words I made my departure with the promise to return. Upon my return I passed the stick with the words, "Where are you and where are you going??

Harrison
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: karen gorrin 
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 6:24 PM
  Subject: Re: Unintend Consequences, Collateral Damage and Truth Telling


  There is a saying that goes something like this, "If you love
  something, set it free. If it comes back to you it's yours. If it
  doesn't, it never was." These words feel relevant here.

  With the act of stepping aside, IMHO Harrison truly allowed room for
  ALL possibilities of outcome: the energy of the group and it's
  individuals may have blossomed or contracted, or shifted in any number
  of expected or unexpected ways, perhaps leading to the collapse of
  this OST process altogether, perhaps leading to renewed energy and
  focus. By loving so much, and by trusting so much, Harrison modeled
  what it truly means to, "allow what Must Be to emerge." And so it did.


  In other words, people were lovingly offered space in which to
  "metabolize" (or process) their powerful group experience, taking
  whatever path was appropriate for them to do so. There is tremendous
  freedom and creativity in such loving space. In fact, I might say that
  open loving space is really all that actually exists. (A conversation
  for another thread!)

  I find that the "gasp-lack of oxygen" feeling can be a fear response
  that arises when powerful, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable emotions catch
  people by surprise. Often, just the act of naming the emotion, and
  normalizing it's existence, makes room (and makes it "okay") for
  people to relax their defensives, own their experience, and return to
  their breath and the present moment.

  For this reason, before stepping aside I *might* have named some of
  what I was feeling swirling throughout the space, perhaps even noting
  my own held breath (if it was held), as a method to make it "okay" for
  others to do the same. This is important, I believe, because as the
  individuals in the group "own" their experience, there will be less
  "un-owned stuff" swirling about the group and causing havoc on others.
  Through the acts of noticing and naming, we allow ourselves to be
  present with what's happening, while also remaining non-attached.

  Greeting from rainy and cold Seattle.


  ---
  karen gorrin | ceo
  www.modus360.com

  Modus360 | Facilitators Design and Guide the Process
  Important Conversations :: Key Decisions :: Collaborative Work

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