Fwd: Testing with an Open Space story

[Suzanne Daigle]

Trying again as per Michael's instructions to use plain text only.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Suzanne Daigle <sdaigle4 at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Mar 5, 2010 at 7:15 AM
Subject: Testing with an Open Space story
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at listserv.boisestate.edu>


Testing if my posting (via gmail account) goes through this time with
an Open Space story; thx Michael for your work on this.  Like Lisa,
Diane Gibeault and others, my posts have not been going through these
past few months.

A few weeks ago, I was referred a client by one of my business
partners.  A president of a family-owned mid-size business wanted to
have a retreat meeting with family members working for the business
(sons, son-in-law, others) and others, not working for the company who
he felt were interconnected with its success through their support
(spouses, children, and others).  In total a group of 12 who were on
vacation at Disney World, a few hours away from my home.

I suggested Open Space.  We came up with a simple theme: My Company,
My Family, My Life and My Future.  We created an enticing invitation
with a few thought-provoking questions.   I stopped in briefly the
night before to introduce myself in person.  I had spoken with the
President, his 14-year-old daughter and 13-year-old nephew discussing
how they would be welcoming the group and how the host would describe
the context and purpose of the gathering.  Everyone was very nice
though it felt a little awkward as I could feel their questions and
the touch of nervousness that happens when people wonder “what the
heck will this meeting be about; who is this person anyway and will I
need to talk in front of everybody?”

I drove home that night thinking WOW, will this really work?  I
quickly went through Harrison’s ideal conditions for an Open Space:
issue of major concern, high levels of complexity, diversity, actual
or potential conflict, and urgent decision time of yesterday.  Ouch,
except for diversity none of these really applied.!  Then somehow,
deep inside myself, I said, it worked with my family when we did Open
Space at Christmas, it will work with theirs. They’ll have an
opportunity to have intimate conversations with everyone equal sitting
in circle. We’ll be opening space and time so they can hear each other
in different ways, not according to their family roles, work roles or
age,  but as unique individuals with their own thoughts, feelings and
dreams.  That’s how I would open the circle.

As usual, I should not have worried. From the moment I walked into
their rented house, I had an army of people helping set up the rooms,
the posters, the circle, everything. So much laughter and brimming
enthusiasm. Then, what a gift it was to see the topics emerge (14 in
all) and to hold the space as they jumped into their conversations
huddled in small groups then gathering in large groups as they became
bumble bees. I felt the spirit of play and the intensity of their
sharing.  I had set up a news room and WOW, they typed no less than
ten (10) reports generated from 3 sessions of 1 hour each. I quietly
took photos, and then sometimes went outside wanting to leave them
their privacy as I felt them discovering each other in new ways. The
timid 13 year old was coming into his own, all age groups (parents,
kids, spouses, nephews, etc) sitting on the floor or sprawled on
chairs totally engaged – no status, no experts, no set roles just
family sharing in new and different ways. I had introduced them to a
talking piece that they could use during their discussions knowing
from previous experience with my family that sometimes the adults
(moms and dads) talk too much.  It seemed to work. The closing circle
was touching and when I got home that night, looking at all the
photos, I knew that magic had happened again. The next day, I pulled
together their photo album capturing the theme, the basic principles
of Open Space and the 4 principles of life (and Law of 2 feet) that
they had been exposed to along with the special images of that day and
all their printed reports. It would anchor the experience and leave
them with a cellular memory of this gathering capturing in the moment
expressions and emotions. They had shared dreams, talked about work,
family and life.

Yes opening space, everywhere and anywhere is what I want to do and
will do. And it feels so wonderful to be able to share these simple
stories here in our Open Space community.  Hope it goes through.   :-}

Hugs to all, Suzanne



--
Suzanne Daigle
NuFocus Strategic Group
7159 Victoria Circle
University Park, FL 34201
FL 941-359-8877;
CT 203-722-2009
www.nufocusgroup.com
s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com

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