First Open Space facilitation

[Michael M Pannwitz]

Dear Lesley,
I inspired myself with your story on an already sun-drenched Sunday 
morning in Berlin.
The way you got ready with the client, paid attention to details, 
intervened with "Don't  Just Do Something, Stand There!"....loads of 
Open Space opportunities will come your way.
Greetings from Berlin
mmp

PS: you are invited to show up on
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Lesley Symons wrote:
> I have sat struggling with why I have been resistant to posting the 
> experience of my first facilitation of an OS event. Still not sure.... I  
> worked with a colleague, who's client this is, Anyway....the story
> I am based in Sydney Australia and facilitated this workshop in Amsterdam, 
> Holland. The client was a corporate company with offices in Holland, 
> Australia, USA and UK. The meeting was a strategic meeting with 
> representatives from all offices. Approx. 40 people in total.
> I suggested to my colleague that an Open Space event would be just right 
> for the organisation as there were:- top down control management,(based in 
> Holland),there were talented people throughout the organisation who were 
> not being heard, there was a powerful question to be resolved, the company 
> could not keep operating from the current management style and remain 
> successful, there was growing 'dissent among the ranks'.
> The event was extremely successful. Both this organisation and my 
> colleague were enormously brave to be able to 'let go' and go with this 
> type of event. It has shifted their style and enabled the company to be 
> much more 'self-organising' and less top down in operation. 
> 
> I held the space over two days. I had training just before with Brendan 
> McKeague here in Australia. He also was of immense help to me.
> 
> I found the event Scary, frightening, exhilarating-and very powerful. I 
> was nervous as I had suggested to do this type of event yet had never done 
> one!! 
> Also I was a female in a room with 38 corporate males with most wondering 
> nervously what was going on......... 
> 
> So my musings on doing this event are-or rather-Notes to self for next time
> 
> wear comfortable, flat shoes for walking the circle(helps with grounding)
> Walk very slowly-slower than you think possible
> Own the space before entering (practise or walk the circle before)
> Modulate voice tone if you can
> News/Opening/Closing-impress that these are important times to meet
> Action Planning: - Be Prepared...and then let go
> Spend much time before and after with client-Before- to get the question 
> right- After- to help assist with the fall-out (grief work) when the 
> system changes
> Do not under-estimate who can embrace this 
> Remain true to self and the PROCESS (this is your rock)
> When you really feel pulled-in to engage-DON'T- this is the magic moment 
> A lot happens over night
> You need two facilitators-one to hold the space and the other to organise 
> and liaise with hotel
> Hotels don't get it- needs to be really briefed well, can be quite 
> frustrating
>  
> Be present............ Keep Meditating and go inward .......... 
>  
> So that is all from me...at last. The client has been very happy with the 
> event. It has changed operating styles of individuals, groups and the 
> organisation as a whole, it has inspired them to 'slow down' and consider 
> more.
> I have given the CEO Harrisons book on Open Space and handed him the 
> responsibility going forward for 'keeping the space open'.
> 
> I wish to thank my colleague who had the 'faith to trust’ and run with 
> this type of meeting.
> 
> Over and out
> 
> Lesley Symons
> 
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-- 
Michael M Pannwitz, boscop eg
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
++49-30-772 8000
mmpanne at boscop.org
www.boscop.org


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