AW: Using Open Space to Break Negitations Impasse

[Catherine Pfaehler]

Sheila, this sounds like my own experience. Suggesting an OS in a situation
of conflict came through my mouth in the summer of 2004 "rather naively",
and this really opened the door to my new career I am now in the midst of
building, enjoying it tremendously.

My hints for you would be:
- Prepare seriously. 
- Ask your questions to OSLIST. 
- If you want, ask for somebody with more experience to be your personal
coach in the background (and offer to assist him/her in an OS in exchange).
I had a wonderful experience preparing for an important event with Florian
Fischer who helped me by email and telephone whenever I had questions, but
who was very clear that I was to be the one up front. (We had later agreed
that he was to do the German part, me the French part. But he was so clear
on me being the one up front that 2 days before the event, he withdrew for
serious health reasons... Whatever happens... I managed, learned great lots
through the process, and I even got a second chance with the same sponsor
and the same team, which was a full success for all of us!).
- Great would be to assist somebody in an OS in the next few weeks in order
to come closer.
- Enjoy the adventure!

Love, Catherine

Catherine Pfaehler Senn
Open Space Facilitation & Coaching
Kellersriedweg 8
CH - 2503 Biel
+41-(0)32 - 365 68 41
c.pfaehler at bluewin.ch


-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Sheila Beauchemin [mailto:s.beauchemin at SHAW.CA] 
Gesendet: Montag, 5. März 2007 22:54
Betreff: Using Open Space to Break Negitations Impasse

Hi again,

I have a client that is involved in negotiations around a multi-million 
dollar project.  Negotiations between the parties have broken down and 
discussions are now in the hands of lawyers and really not going anywhere 
anytime soon.  There are of course, lots of small "p" politics involved.

I have been working with this client on other related issues around policy 
development and program frameworks but in the course of discussion this 
impasse in conversation came up.  I mentioned that possibly what is needed 
is an opportunity to step aside from the current focus of discussions and 
provide some space to take talk about the issue in a different forum.  
There was some interest in this notion and now of course I am wondering 
what door I have likely naively opened given what a neophite I am in the 
open space world.

What words of caution can you provide related to using OS in highly 
conflictual situations?
When would you say it can be used/should be used?
Are there any special considerations and/or preparations?
Is it presumptious of me to think I can do this?  Should I really just 
refer this client to someone with deep OS experience and not think about 
attempting such a thing when I feel I still have my OS training wheels on?

Any advice or experiences you can share would be appreciated.

Fond regards, Sheila

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