[OSList] Occupy report

Tue May 8 18:29:15 PDT 2012

Hiya Michael...I have only once had a sponsor consciously place a cynic on
our core hosting team.  He was there ostensibly to provide some "realism"
to our planning, but he ended up being a very big sink on the energy and
attention of the group.  He eventually left the group before our event.

On a recent project, there have been cynics involved in a core team of a
large project I am working on.  They are largely there because of their
position and not because of any particular function.  From my experience
with the first group, working with this team has been easier, in that we
have had the conversation about cynical participation on the core team.  It
has resulted in being able to get things done but there is a very difficult
and underlying tension in the team which is dragging the initiative.  And
as the initiative drags along, the cynic gets more ammunition for his "I
told you so."

These are just the realities of organizational life.  It is hard to do much
more than simply engage with them and move on, and truthfully, this kind of
cynicism is easier to handle that having a saboteur in your group.

Chris

On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 6:04 PM, agusj <agusjs2002 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> What a great way to handle the situation! Thanks!!
>
> Agustín
>
>   ------------------------------
> *From:* Chris Corrigan <chris at chriscorrigan.com>
> *To:* World wide Open Space Technology email list <
> oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, May 8, 2012 12:18 PM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Occupy report
>
> Harrison...yes, in situations of opening I have one rule when it comes to
> disrupters, and it is the same as yours: carry on.
>
> Most disrupters in open space are well meaning, and want to ask a
> question, often hypothetical, and to answer that question is to invite a
> number of other hypothetical questions about what might happen.  By
> definition, the number of hypothetical situations outnumbers the number of
> actual situations, and so the best thing to do is not answer that question,
> unless you want to invite and endless discussion.
>
> However, Open Space is still a fresh new experience for some people and
> sometimes as facilitators we overexplain the process leading to legitimate
> confusion.  But it is important to know that in any group of people, there
> are folks who totally get it.  So Here is a very helpful tip for all
> facilitators: never ask if anyone has a question about how the process will
> work.  One single nervous person can hold up a group that is otherwise
> raring to go.  Instead, when you have finished giving instructions, ask the
> group this: "please raise your hand if you have enough clarity to get
> going.". I ask people to raise their hands and keep them raised.  Then I
> say "those of you who are still unclear, please watch or talk to the people
> who have their hands raised.  They will help you get going."
>
> ThIs way the group immediately becomes responsible for making it all work,
> and I can get to my nap quicker.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, Phelim McDermott wrote:
>
> Hi Harrison
>
> My communication if this disrupter happens in an opening circle is
> usually:  "that sounds like a great session to call! Think of your short
> punchy title!"
>
> Best regards,
>
> Phelim McDermott
> -----------------------------
>  I generally pick up emails only at the beginning and end of the working
> day. I am currently aiming to respond the following day. If it is urgent
> please call me on 07956 187298.
> ___________________/////////////
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 8 May 2012, at 16:50, Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net> wrote:
>
> Chris – Great to see you – and to know that you are, as always, the
> Gentleman. I suggested turning my back, and you offer conversation. But
> there was a difference in situation. You were talking about the Core
> Planning group… and for sure conversation along the lines you suggest is in
> order and essential. My mistake was that I read Raffi to be talking about
> the appearance of a “destabilizer” in the Opening circle. And when I run
> into one of those, I do turn my back and keep moving, knowing that if I
> stop and try some kind of conversation (answer) that could go on all day
> and we would never get the space open. I do the same thing with “honest
> questions.” I know that sounds rude, but my experience has been that
> whatever questions somebody might have will get answered as soon as we
> start. I have also learned that the questions/statements offered by the
> “destabilizer” will never get answered, and that is precisely his/her
> point. “destabilizer” used to be “Space Invader,” but maybe “destabilizer”
> sounds a little more academic – or something?****
> ** **
> Harrison****
> ** **
> Harrison Owen****
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> *From:*
>
>
>
> --
> ---
> CHRIS CORRIGAN
> Facilitation - Training - Process Design
> Open Space Technology
>
> Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
> Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com
>
> *Upcoming workshops*
> *
> *
> *
> Art of Hosting
> November 2012, Bowen Island, BC, Canada.
> (email me for more information)
> *
> *
> *
> YET: the improv-based facilitation course you have always wanted to take!
> 2012, Bowen Island, BC, Canada
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-- 
---
CHRIS CORRIGAN
Facilitation - Training - Process Design
Open Space Technology

Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com

*Upcoming workshops*
*
*
*
Art of Hosting
November 2012, Bowen Island, BC, Canada.
(email me for more information)
*
*
*
YET: the improv-based facilitation course you have always wanted to take!
2012, Bowen Island, BC, Canada
(email me for more information)

*
*
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