Giving context, clarifying the theme was: OST following a creative enhacing training

Mon Nov 15 13:20:01 PST 2010

Again, "it depends."  There is context and there is energy.  Sometimes I find sponsors, especially nervous ones, are really dull in their presentation of the context, and so I find myself having to evoke the possibility of the work, the amazing potential of the group of people who are gathered, the importance of the purpose and the unique nature of our meeting.  

At any rate, I find that I always "riff" on the opening that the sponsor gives.  I reiterate things from the invitation process, I generally add energy to the invitation in the moment.  And I always model enthusiasm and use a little bit of humour.  There is no subject too serious not to benefit from a little laughter.  There is very much an element of performance to what I do (I am also a musician and a sometime actor, so I use my presence that way too).  In fact as I think of it, I bring my whole self to that opening, the actor, the musician, the martial artist, the once-upon-a-time preacher, the teacher, the storyteller.  It all goes into the feeling of the words behind my opening.  

And I continue to love opening space.  After more than 200 openings large and small, it is still one of my favourite ways to spend 15 minutes.  

Chris
----
Chris Corrigan
chris at chriscorrigan.com
http://www.chriscorrigan.com

On 2010-11-15, at 9:46 AM, Thomas Herrmann wrote:

> Dear friends
> This conversation sparked a question I have. How much responsibility do you take to give participants context and clarify the theme in the opening of an Open Space meeting? I hand this to the sponsor and some do a great job some don’t. I think they are the ones actually opening the space so they should express what they mean instead of me interpreting it.
>  
> The other day, there was a clarifying question after my opening which made me realize that this person and probably some more were not fully aware of the purpose – which is no good thing in an Open Space meeting!  (-:
> Warm regards
> Thomas
>  
> Från: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] För Artur Silva
> Skickat: den 15 november 2010 15:18
> Till: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Ämne: Re: OST following a creative enhacing training
>  
> Thanks, Chris. I also often use "it depends"... And agree with your opinion about the "two part opening". As well as with the difficulty in "shutting up" :-((
>  
> Artur
>  
> From: Chris Corrigan <chris.corrigan at gmail.com>
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Sent: Mon, November 15, 2010 1:22:37 PM
> Subject: Re: [OSLIST] OST following a creative enhacing training
> 
> For me the answer is always "it depends". I have run OST events with stuff at the beginning and afterwards (and even sometimes in the dreaded middle of things) but it is always dependent on the context. 
>  
> Having said that, so much about the opening of space is about cultivating the energy of the group, tapping the deepest purpose and swiftly and clearly explaining the process and principles. A two part opening tends to stall or kill that energy especially after the agenda has been set. For me mastery of this form of meeting is summed up by one practice: the art of shutting up. Once I have explained things I shut up and let people get to work. The more I talk the less space there is for others. The quicker I can get out of the way the better. 
>  
> It is amazing to me how many experienced facilitators have trouble shutting up (me among them) but I invite you all to cultivate the practice. It is about a clear and crisp ending of your role so the group can get to work. 
>  
> Chris
>  
> Ps the best piece of advice I ever saw on this list about the energy of opening came from Lisa who once said "model enthusiasm". Excellent. 
>  
> -----
> CHRIS CORRIGAN
> http://www.chriscorrigan.com
>  
> Sent from an iPhone, typed with thumbs...
>  
> 
> On 2010-11-14, at 11:26 PM, Lisa Heft <lisaheft at openingspace.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi, Artur -
>  
> Regarding the outdoor experiences the day before an Open Space: many things can happen the day before an Open Space. But as Open Space delivers intimate passionate discussion, relationship-building, a sense of community or team, energetic interchange and even laughter - I not only see no reason to design in preliminary activities *but* have actually seen an Open Space suffer after these.  And I have seen the same as Harrison noted - participants have often said 'why didn't you give us more time for our work / play / discussion in Open Space - we could have used it'.
> This includes introduction / warm-up / 'icebreaker' activities. Even going around in a circle hearing what everyone's name and title is seems to be taking up valuable time for participants - they always say how they came to know and remember each other much more deeply because of their shared interests and spirited discussions in the Open Space and that a traditional introduction both is hard to remember plus can often set up assumptions about who is supposedly who.
>  
> Regarding the introduction / explanation of Open Space - I feel strongly that one should explain the principles and law BEFORE opening up the floor for topics / agenda co-creation.
> Because you are explaining / inviting a different way of being. You are explaining when you explain principles and law that everything is possible, including visiting multiple discussions during a single session.
> You are letting people know to follow the energy of the conversations rather than their pre-conceived agendas.
> And you are also letting people know that even if one person comes that is exactly the amazing perfect thing - they can write in silence and contribute even if they have a completely different way of thinking.
> The explanation of principles and laws (not just the reading of the text on the posters) is one of the essential invitations in Open Space, I believe.
>  
> Also: your client said that they do that certain way (explaining only each thing as needed) for ***trainings****.
> That is a very good way to do a training.
> Open Space meetings are not trainings. 
>  
> A very important difference for design, explanation, dynamics, information the participants need for their self-organized work, objectives, outcomes and more. Right?
>  
> Lisa
>  
>  
> Lisa Heft
> Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
> Opening Space
> lisaheft at openingspace.net
>  
> On Nov 13, 2010, at 1:19 PM, Artur Silva wrote:
> 
> 
> Thanks for your answer(s), Harrison.
>  
> And have you (ou others) any comments on my point 2 (the possible two-step opening)?
>  
> Rgds
>  
> Artur 
>  
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