Facilitator must be part of the conversations

[Harrison Owen]

Doug – as with most things, there are few absolutes. My exception to that
might be my nap :-) I am with Chris. When I am with groups I know and where
the subject is something I am interested in (either as learner, contributor,
or both) I will certainly participate, always allowing time for my nap :-)
:-)

 

For some reason, most of the Open Space gathering I have facilitated in the
last several years have involved groups of people, usually large ones, who
speak a language(s) I don’t understand and whose issue is not mine –
although I may be deeply concerned. Add in massive complexity and no small
amount of conflict – and my judgment has been that the most useful thing I
can do for the gathering is to hold the space. And truthfully, when
complexity, conflict and group size begin to go off the charts, holding
space is about all I can do. 

 

Harrison

 

  _____  

From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Chris
Corrigan
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 2:30 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Facilitator must be part of the conversations

 

Hi Doug...

There are levels of hosting and facilitating in these processes.  In
Conversation Cafes, World Cafes and Open Space meetings there are
facilitators who are responsible for the overall space and there are hosts
within the space that take responsibility for the conversations.  In OST we
call thes folks conveners (or we use other names) and in the Cafes they call
them table hosts. 

I think in general its a good idea to have the overall event facilitator
"hold space" and to have the hosts within the gathering take as much
responsibility as possible for the outcomes.  The advantages of doing it
this way are clearly that passion bounded by responsibility gets things
done.  

I am not entrenched on the question of whether the OST facilitator can or
cannot participate in the event.  There are many factors that come into
play.  In events I have done within my community, where the community has
had some previous exposure to OST, I am perfectly comfortable opening space
and then participating.  It seems that the groups is able to hold space for
all just fine.  In other places, where a client is doing something
completely strange (apprenticeships, post-secondary education policy,
sustainability planning for an unfamiliar community) then I just sit on the
edges, taking care of the space, helping with the proceedings, answering
questions and talking about the process with the curious. 

And still other times, when there are a team of facilitators to help hold
space, I feel more free to participate, especially if the work is with
people close to me.

I think the question is, what are the benefits of having space holders at
all levels? 

Chris

On 7/30/07, douglas germann <76066.515 at compuserve.com> wrote:

Hi--

Peggy Holman's Change Handbook has a description of Conversation Cafés,
which raises the question: why would it be good for the facilitator to
take part in the conversation? What would be the advantages of taking 
part?

After all, it appears that the host in Conversation Cafés does take
part, in circle process does take part, and in The World Café may take
part in the conversations.

The risks it seems to me: the facilitator is seen as the one with the 
answers, simply because of standing at the front/center of the room; the
temptation, even subconsciously, to push your own agenda because of that
standing position.

But the advantages might outweigh: one more voice heard; a more 
inclusive whole to the group.

We seem to avoid taking part in the conversations: Harrison takes a nap;
Michael only does it in a middle time slot.

Could we have a conversation about why it would be good to participate, 
please?

                        :- Doug.

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-- 
CHRIS CORRIGAN
Facilitation - Training
Open Space Technology

Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com

Principal, Harvest Moon Consultants, Ltd.
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