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A propos of what I am not quite sure -- but as our discussions have gone
on recently, I found my self thinking about <i>Who is the
client?"</i> The easy answer, and one that I subscribed to for
a long time -- "The person who pays the bill," doesn't
seem so easy any more. I am finding that the role of client is a variable
one, changing with time and circumstances. At the initial point of
contact, the client is obviously the person at the other end of the
phone, table, or email. Conversations about intended result, possible
approaches, and the up and down sides of all of the above, are essential.
Should there be a Go Decision, and opening space is the chosen means (and
in my case, of course, few would believe that I could do anything else,
even if I wanted to), I find that the "client" changes rather
radically in my mind from the "point of contact" to the
<i>group as a whole</i>. And in terms of the group, my concern is not
only about the immediate objectives (a strategic plan, new product,
organizational renewal/transformation etc.) but also about the longer
term function of the group and the enrichment of the lives of the
constituent individuals. <br>
<br>
This change of mind set can have some rather odd consequences, as for
example, a conversation I found myself having with the "original
client" (the bill payer) which went something like as follows:
" I am not here to save your job, or even your organization. I am
here to enable this group of people to function at the highest possible
level combined with a profound sense of satisfaction and joy in who they
are and what they are accomplishing. If your job is secured, and this
present organization flourishes, that will be a marvelous bonus."
Surprisingly, the "client" didn't blink an eye. In fact his
only comment was, "Of course." <br>
<br>
With the focus on "the group as client" my primary concern is
the group's realization of its own power and its own capacities.
Doubtless there are cases where it would be useful for the group to learn
new approaches or methods, but where the group already has the power and
the capacity which remain hidden solely because neither have been
exercised, I find myself intensely holding the space so that the group
will see itself as it is in reality. This can get very uncomfortable --
for everybody. At such times, I can truly understand Jeff Aitkens
feelings -- " I sometimes find the conversations frustrating and
disappointing, and I long for a process such <br>
as "Dialogue" to help focus our attention in ways that might
deepen the level of the conversation." But out of that discomfort
come remarkable breakthroughs. And anything I <b><i>do </i></b>seems only
to impede the breakthrough, if only because it may appear that I did it
-- when the reality is -- They Did It. <br>
<br>
Doubtless there are situations where the pathology present in the life of
the group is such that only radical, direct intervention, to say nothing
of surgery, will save the day. But strangely enough, I have never
personally encountered such a situation. People (even dire enemies) can,
and do, treat each other with respect, listen deeply, and inter-act
constructively, all without external assistance -- so long as they have
the space/time to do so. I think all that is a natural act in which
intervention at worst gums up the works, and at best makes the natural
appear to be a matter of artifice. As they say in The Great State of
Maine --"Don't fix it if it ain't broke."<br>
<br>
So what do you think?<br>
<br>
Harrison<br>
<br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<div align="center">
Harrison Owen<br>
7808 River Falls Drive<br>
Potomac, MD 20854 USA<br>
phone 301-469-9269<br>
fax 301-983-9314<br>
Open Space Training
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.com</a>
<br>
Open Space Institute <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.org</a><br>
Personal website <a href="http://www.mindspring.com/~owenhh" eudora="autourl">www.mindspring.com/~owenhh</a><br>
<br>
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