[OSList] How do you "hold space?"

Sun Feb 9 08:06:58 PST 2020

HI Jake.
I always leave the room right after closing the opening session. I am
normally away for some time - depending on the size of the event.
The biggest it is, the less I am away. Once back most of the time I am
focusing on keeping the space clean and in order, which means collecting
cups and glasses, moving chairs, caring for break out spaces when there's a
change in the sessions, doing this sort of thing. I walk a lot, always
avoiding to get involved in any group conversation. Sometimes I chat with
butterflies.
greetings from Milano
ge

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Il giorno dom 9 feb 2020 alle ore 05:51 Chris Corrigan via OSList <
oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> ha scritto:

> Harrison has described as being “totally invisible but completely
> present.”  I rarely leave the room. But I also never intervene. If asked to
> help I respond with “what would you like to do? Why don’t you take care of
> it?” It’s about radical return of passion and responsibility to the people.
> It is indeed risky. But the reward is immense.
>
> Chris.
>
> _____________
> CHRIS CORRIGAN
> www.chriscorrigan.com
>
> On Feb 8, 2020, at 12:45 PM, Jake Yeager via OSList <
> oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
> 
> 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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