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Bitgitt's most recent note said or implied some nice things about me, a
few of which might actually be true --<br>
<br>
<font color="#0000FF">"One other element I have brought into some
training sessions that I have done with Harrison, when I interrupt him to
do a stage whisper with participants: there are those things to do with
Open Space Technology that Harrison and only Harrison can do/get away
with because he is Harrison. And then there is the real world for the
rest of us and sometimes we have a few extra steps :-)</font> " B.
Williams<br>
<br>
At least I thought they might be nice, but how-some-ever, I do want to
take small issue. Particularly about those things which I alone can do --
or get away with. <br>
<br>
I am not so modest to as to be blind to some of the special quirks I may
bring to Open Space, and the position of founder does provide a certain
licence to innovate.<br>
<br>
However, I am absolutely convinced that there is nothing that I do or,
don't do, that can't equally well be done (not done) by just about
anybody else -- should they care to. <br>
<br>
This is not about the details, and certainly not about mimicking all my
moves and words. God forbid. It is about being authentically who you are
in such a fashion that space is opened, and folks are truly invited to
the dance. So, to do what I do is not to be what I be. Rather it is to be
you -- fully and completely. And that, of course, only you can do.<br>
<br>
Needless to say, I can't tell you how to do that -- but I do have a
suggestion. Something that has worked for me over the years. It's simple,
just think of one more thing not to do, and don't do it.<br>
<br>
Many people newly arrived in Open Space as facilitators try ever so hard
to get it all "right." There is some value in this if only
because we -- that is all of us over the years -- have learned a few
things which new folks might as well take advantage of (start in a
circle, create a bulletin board, open the market place, get out of the
way). It is probably a good place to start. But don't stop there.<br>
<br>
My learning has been that a lot of what gets done additionally
accomplishes two useful, but not central goals. It keeps the sponsor
happy (he/she thinks you are doing something) and it keeps the
facilitator happy (you have something to DO.)<br>
<br>
Not bad. But there is a price tag. Any time you do something,
particularly something that is "right," you run the risk of
throwing a veil over that critical contribution only you can make --
which is you just being there.<br>
<br>
Anyhow, I think I do "Harrison" pretty well. Somehow he
appeared from underneath all that stuff that I had been taught to do,
felt was "right to do," sensed I ought to do. It isn't
perfect, but it feels better and better particularly when I think of one
more thing not to do. Try it, you might like it.<br>
<br>
Harrison<br>
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<div align="center">
Harrison Owen<br>
7808 River Falls Drive<br>
Potomac, MD 20854<br>
USA<br>
phone 301-469-9269<br>
fax 301-983-9314<br>
website <br>
<a href="http://www.mindspring.com/~owenhh" eudora="autourl">www.mindspring.com/~owenhh</a><br>
Open Space Institute websites<br>
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.org</a><br>
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