dynamic facilitation (was my first OS)

[Bui Petersen]

Thanks Raffi,

Very interesting thoughts. I have heard the analogy that the way we do 
OS today really is selforganization with training wheels. I have noticed 
with some smaller groups that they don't need that much support from the 
training wheels, but rather a tiny bit of support when getting started, 
turning a tight corner or when they stop. It's like teaching child to 
ride the bike. Some can just do it without training wheels the first 
time. You certainly don't want to hold on to the bike too much because 
then they will never figure out to do it themselves.

As a mediator I know that people need different levels of support and 
intervention. I personally prefer not to be too directive, but there are 
situation where I need to be. I believe the same is the case for groups, 
certainly small groups.

Another analogy that I like (and that was posted here) is the one of the 
leader/facilitator being like a midwife. Women's bodies are perfectly 
able to deliver babies all themselves. The midwife is mainly there to 
support but there is never any doubt that it is the mother that is doing 
all the work. Interventions are rarely ever needed but sometimes they 
are, including drastic ones such as a cesarean.

Just some further thoughts...

Bui

Raffi Aftandelian wrote:
> hi all,
>
> bui, congratulations on your first os!
>
> Thanks for sharing and I look forward to hearing more.
>
> Your experience with this small group reminded me of my own questions about
> the efficacy of ost with a smaller group and shorter time frame.
>
> I don't know what works best in a situation like this, a lot of it depends,
> I imagine on the desired outcome.
>
> I've been rather impressed myself by the power of dynamic facilitation (DF)
> with smaller groups and shorter time frames. It allows people to talk about
> whatever they want, whenever, to jump around and "drill," as it were, to get
> to the heart of the question. 
>
> Typically, however, one works the whole time in large group. But I am sure
> that DF could be adapted to bring in the flexibility of OS in terms of
> concurrent groups.
>
> another piece about DF is that the facilitator can participate! she/he can
> turn it over to a "participant" for the facilitator to say her piece after
> which she starts facilitating again...
>
> just some rough thoughts...
>
> warmly, 
> raffi
>
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