[OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Rolf F. Katzenberger]

I'm in the room, most of the time, unless I get a feeling that I'm
getting "asked too much" with respect to organizing things. (My answer
is anyway "what would you like to happen?")

Apart from that, I'm wearing subdued colors (amazingly effective) and
avoid direct eye contact, listening more than "scanning" the environment
with my eyes. Since I'm not in a hurry or busy, I guess I'm walking
around the space in slow-mo.  I love galleries and other spots where I
see the metaphorical forest, instead of the trees. IMHO, minor
interventions that are not directly related to the process do not hurt,
e.g. closing a door when some obnoxious noise is coming from outside, or
asking the venue staff to refill beverage stands or replenish coffee.

I also do the famous collect-some-empty-cups walk and pick up some
garbage when I see it, but mostly because I am passing by anyway and it
feels meditative to me, not nanny-like. During an open space, I never
make "announcements"; the most intrusive thing I do is to stick large
PostIts to my belly and my back that say "15 minutes until lunch/closing
circle" (those who want or need to see it, see it).

Rolf

--
«If it works, it's right.» | «Richtig ist, was funktioniert.»
https://www.pragmatic-teams.com | https://www.pragmatic-teams.de
https://fromthebackoftheroom.training | https://fromthebackoftheroom.training/de

Jake Yeager via OSList schrieb am 08.02.20 um 19:44:
> Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)
>
> This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across
> two half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team,
> of which I am a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had
> recently merged with another group, and there was lack of clarity. So,
> our theme was: "Who are we, and how do we collaborate to drive
> success?" Also, my AVP--who is a leader in Learning &
> Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order to understand it
> better as it is new to my firm.
>
> Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the
> breakout sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to
> make sure that I provided the best experience for everyone, and
> participating would have dampened my focus. I shared this with my
> manager, after she inquired after the first day why I had not
> participated.
>
> Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I
> facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was
> working, and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the
> facilitator's role is to remain "invisible" to allow the group to
> build its capacity for self-management. She said that our firm's
> culture is very hierarchical and that "baby steps" are needed. She
> suggested even intervening in a group if it gets "stuck." I believe I
> mentioned that intervening is not part of Open Space facilitation. 
>
> So my question is: how do you "hold space?" I found Chris's
> description on his website: "an Open Space Technology facilitator is
> neither seen nor heard, but his or her presence is 'felt.'" I guess by
> going for long walks and not being in the room, my presence was not
> "felt." One of my colleagues provided feedback that by not being
> there, it didn't seem like I cared. This is definitely not the case. I
> went on long walks as an act of love, not negligence. 
>
> Anyway, would love your thoughts.
>
> Thanks,
> Jake
> ________________
>
> When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again,
> and you will be free of problems.
>  - Robert Adams <http://www.robert-adams.info/>
>
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