Law of Two Feet

[Diana Larsen]

OTOH, If I were speaking in an OS session and I noticed one person  
leave, I would think, "oh they're using the law of two feet." If I  
was still speaking and saw another person leave, I would wonder at it  
a bit. These people were presumably drawn to the same topic as me  
weren't they? Then if I continued speaking and I saw persons three  
and four leave, I might begin to reconsider whether I wanted to  
continue speaking. All my own choice.

What gentler form of feedback on my behavior could there be? I get to  
observe and learn from my own experience.

I doubt that the whole group would up and leave one person en masse  
in any OS session. So, the attrition is observable and every  
participant has the opportunity to make a choice. Whether to stay or  
go, whether to keep talking or let someone else have the floor for a  
while.

That's not a 2x4, that's just learning from experience. No conflict  
resolution needed. I've never seen anyone leave a community as a  
result of their experiences in open space, unless they decided it was  
the best move for them. And used their own two feet.

-Diana

Diana Larsen
503-288-3550 www.futureworksconsulting.com
www.futureworksconsulting.com/blog

"Agile Retrospectives" Amazon Best Books of 2006!
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On Feb 15, 2007, at 3:06 PM, Bui K. Petersen wrote:

> This is what I was afraid of. I think is a situation where  
> mediation would be more effective. In conflict resolution we often  
> say "all behaviour makes sense". Empathy and compassion is usually  
> more effective than a 2X4.
>
> I want to add that the scenario I am thinking is not when the  
> person in question is a boss but more like a regular member of a  
> community. It would be unfortunate if someone chose to leave a  
> community as a result of an OS event. But perhaps there are other  
> perspectives out there.
>
> Búi
>
> Harrison Owen wrote:
>> “I wonder how empowering it is for the individual left behind?”
>>
>>
>>
>> Well, if that “difficult” person was a command and control boss –  
>> it is possible, though perhaps not likely, that he will learn  
>> something. Then again, he might go and seek alternative  
>> employment. Or – all those folks he was intimidating might do the  
>> same thing. Sometimes the universe has to hit you on the side of  
>> the head with a 2X4 just to get your attention. Painful, but  
>> effective.
>>
>>
>> Harrison
>>
>>
>> Harrison Owen
>>
>> 7808 River Falls Drive
>>
>> Potomac, Maryland   20854
>>
>> Phone 301-365-2093
>>
>> Skype hhowen
>>
>> Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
>>
>> Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
>>
>> Personal website www.ho-image.com
>>
>> OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the  
>> archives Visit:www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of  
>> Bui K. Petersen
>> Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 2:31 PM
>> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>> Subject: Re: Law of Two Feet
>>
>>
>> Thanks for the reassurance, Jack.
>>
>> However, I am not as concerned about the to the topic and the  
>> conversation as I am with the affect on the "difficult"  
>> individual. While it may be empowering for people to simply leave  
>> an unfruitful conversation, I wonder how empowering it is for the  
>> individual left behind?
>>
>> Búi
>>
>> Jack Ricchiuto wrote:
>>
>> Bui,
>>
>> This does happen and can hurt the development of content around an  
>> otherwise attractive topic. If the self-organizing soil of the  
>> group is fertile enough, people will continue the conversation in  
>> different places and in different ways, the way water will flow  
>> around rocks to whatever openings available. When people with  
>> passion are given freedom, good things happen no matter what.
>>
>> Translation: not to worry.
>>
>> Be well,
>>
>> Jack
>>
>> On 2/15/07, Bui K. Petersen <bui at buildconsensus.ca > wrote:
>>
>> As someone who is still just learning and trying to find out how  
>> and when OST can be used, I am curious about people's experience  
>> with the effect the Law of Two Feet can have on irritating  
>> dominating personalities. Say for example that someone is  
>> dominating a group and practically annoying everyone else with the  
>> result of them using their two feet and leaving. How does this  
>> affect the person left behind? I have some concerns about what  
>> could happen to this person but before I mention them, I am  
>> interested to hear what others have experienced.
>>
>> Curious!
>>
>> Búi
>>
>>
>> --
>
> -- 
> Búi K. Petersen, Cert. ConRes.
> mediator and facilitator
> --------------------------------
> c.solutions
> Vancouver, B.C. Canada
> Phone: 604.724.4954
> Web: www.buildconsensus.ca
>
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