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<DIV><SPAN class=670544113-02032000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>I have
had that leadership and whole group challend to close the space in a variety of
ways. That part of holding the space is the most difficult and the most
important. I ask in the evening news both one word on how folks or doing,
to surface the negative if it is there, and ask what is missing. I then
encourage people to take responsibility for what is missing and put it up as
topics the next day. I have had all kinds of things emerge the next moring to
give new focus to the discusison. The great thing, like the De Bono story, is
that those who have a passion to work on it can join that group and make more
progress than if the whole group was forced to go through the exercise.
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<DIV><SPAN class=670544113-02032000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=670544113-02032000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>I
recently led an Open Space with 100 youth where about 30 had real difficulty
with the freedom and responsibility piece. They complained in evening news, but
some of their colleagues agreed that it was their job to put some topics up that
interested them. By morning, 5-6 new topics had gone up and the closing
(after only .5 day) was enthusiastic. That "martial art" of turning
the critique and frustration into positive leadership energy is
critical.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=670544113-02032000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=670544113-02032000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>As for
"talking stick"---I never use the term after bieng critiqued by native
elders, as for them it is sacred. Instead, I use the term "talking
piece" (Calling the Circle) and acknowledge the roots of the tradition. I
find native elders to be much happier. In an Open Space I usually look for
a symolic object in the environment that fits the energy of the group -- rock,
tree, flower, all kinds of things can play that role and they usually
"appear" at the right time.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=670544113-02032000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2>Larry</FONT></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>