[OSList] No-Go-area's as OS facilitators

[Jeff Aitken]

Hi Kari,

I don't participate in breakouts when holding space.

The only time I have participated in a breakout session while in the
role of OS facilitator was at a small, local "open space on open
space' gathering here in San Francisco.

With fabulous Lisa Heft in attendance, I found it a teachable moment
to share with the other participants during evening news. I talked
about why I don't (typically) participate in breakouts, and then
reflected on the criteria I used for feeling OK about doing it at that
gathering:

- It was not a client's OS meeting intended to produce any client
outcome with which i'd be interfering by participating...

- It was a gathering of OS folks on the theme of OS, so it was a
chance to try it, and reflect on it with the group...

- All of the breakout sessions were being held inside a single large
room, which made a difference for me; I felt I could easily turn away
from the breakout and return to attention to the whole space... (but I
think I was fooling myself) ; )

I did not reflect on this further with Lisa or anyone after the event.
I know that Lisa does not participate in breakouts even in a small
OSonOS.

I'm curious on anyone's thoughts.

Another time, a local consultant (during an OS training I was
conducting) told us that he participates in breakouts all the time,
even as the OS facilitator for a client, including devoting breakouts
to coaching his client's leadership team and so on. We did not go into
depth about the experiences of his clients, but it was a shock to me.
He still seems to be in business, so maybe he knows something that I
don't know...

I think there is a sacrifice that we agree to make when we hold space
for a gathering where there are topics that are close to our heart.
Being the facilitator and holder of the space is the contribution that
we agree to make in that gathering, rather than participate in the
conversations. It's a fascinating practice of discipline to continue
learning from.

Jeff




On 2/4/13, Michael M Pannwitz <mmpannwitz at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Kari,
> instead, try taking a nap.
>
> My experience as a late-comer to os (I was 56 and had been into OD
> processes for decades) is that I had to do a lot of un-learning... and
> no end in sight.
> For some reason I had developed the stance of "unattached to outcome" in
> other contexts but could still "direct" a lot with my coniving
> facilitation skills. Letting go of all of that when working as an
> os-facilitator was tough but I found ways to redirect most of my control
> mania and live my control-mania by being a real stickler in every detail
> BEFORE the event.
>
> I have no personal experience in joining a break-out session in events
> where I was in the role of facilitator.
> However, I do remember a couple of situations that might be relevant to
> your question:
>
> --- I have been asked several times by members of break-out sessions
> (some being very clear that I had to come immediately to fix whatever it
> was that troubled them) to join their session and always found a way to
> fend off the invitation... and did get feedback from those that had
> asked me to join such as "we did manage very well..." or "good thing you
> did turn down our invitation, we handled it ourselves and found that
> exhilarating..."
>
> ---On one occasion we needed everybody in the team to join hands in I
> forget what it was exactly... and discovered that a couple of the team
> members had joined breakout sessions with the result that we could not
> deal effectively with the task that the team was responsible for...
>
> ---One time, I got into a very interesting and fascinating discussion
> with one participant... reminded me of a meeting of two butterflies...
> Not very long into that my assistant danced up to us and got me to leave
> that wonderful encounter. As I followed him he reminded me of my role:
> How on earth could I keep totally present and also be completely
> invisible doing what I did. After taking a deep breath, I thanked him
> and saw to it that he was in the facilitation team every time!
>
> Get yourself a tough assistant.
>
> Lets have more question, Kari.
> Greetings from Berlin
> mmp
>
> Cheers
> mmp
>
> On 04.02.2013 16:28, Kári Gunnarsson wrote:
>> Dear Gijs and others on the list
>>
>> I like to explore this topic theme a bit more closely.  I have been
>> learning so much for the past few years that I have been practicing
>> the open space. I like to know your examples, your thoughts and
>> experiences?
>>
>> An introductory questions on No-Go-area's:
>>
>> At one time I was hosting an open space and I happened to join a group
>> discussion on the topic witch was close to my hart and I shared some
>> of my hopes and experiences for I was there with the passion to to
>> that and the small group had a interesting topic. Now I feel like this
>> is something I should not have done, that I took some space instead of
>> holding it or others that where there to do something about the issues
>> at hand. What are your thoughts and experiences?
>>
>> With love from Iceland
>> Kári
>>
>> On 2 February 2013 04:09, Gijs Mega <gijs at megainternational.com.hk>
>> wrote:
>>> Hi Chris,
>>>
>>> The first time I saw you was in the circle in San Francisco 2008. Your
>>> kids
>>> took part as well and "lived" the law of 2 feet, and shifted from
>>> butterflying to bumble being. Observing this was great : open space
>>> life.
>>>
>>> Your comments on the list are often a real contribution. So was your
>>> last
>>> one:
>>>   "
>>> This is key for those of us who are Open Space facilitators.  Please
>>> never
>>> try to Open Space for other people bigger than the space you are willing
>>> to
>>> open for yourself.
>>> "
>>> In the context of our society your point is clear.
>>> When you generalize it for facilitators, I read it as an advice for
>>> being
>>> authentic and sincere to the principals, the topic, the invitation and
>>> the
>>> sponsors intention.
>>> However, I hope to challenge people to elaborate more in detail about
>>> no-go-area's for ourselves as a facilitator or as a parent.
>>>
>>> Gijs van Wezel
>>> Shanghai
>>>
>>>
>>> Send from iPad
>>>
>>>
>>> On Feb 1, 2013, at 1:32 AM, Chris Corrigan <chris at chriscorrigan.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> This is key for those of us who are Open Space facilitators.  Please
>>> never
>>> try to Open Space for other people bigger than the space you are willing
>>> to
>>> open for yourself.
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Michael M Pannwitz
> Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
> ++49 - 30-772 8000
>
>
>
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