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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As a facilitator when first you meet conflict in a
group in Open Space it can be a little disconcerting. More than that, all of our
previous training says that you are the one that is supposed to "fix" the
problem. If the group is small, as yours was, it seems quite possible and the
"correct" thing to do. Sort of your job. But it isn't. Now if instead of 5 you
had 500, and conflict arose in 4 groups simultaneously -- you would definitely
be in a pickle -- especially if you make the appearance of conflict "your
problem." And I think it gets even worse. Let's suppose you jump in and by
superhuman effort -- somehow resolve the conflict(s). If that happens, people
will look at you and say "Isn't she wonderful!" -- and forget that they are the
ones who really dealt with the conflict. Or suppose you jump in, and despite
your best effort, everything goes to hell. At the point the people will look at
you and say, "Isn't she terrible." -- and forget that you didn't have a conflict
-- they did! So what to do? Answer -- Just hold space and know that the people
themselves will have the resources to deal with the conflict, and more
importantly -- learn from having dealt with it. It is really tough to do,
especially your first several times out. But if it is any comfort, you might
just notice that with a larger group, you really don't have any options. It
might also comfort you to know that in the 20 years that I have been opening
space with all sorts of people and situations I have never encountered a
situation where the people couldn't handle it all by themselves, and most
importantly become the stronger and wiser because of their actions -- provided I
fiercely and intently "held space."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Harrison</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=diane.ross@jfcom.mil href="mailto:diane.ross@jfcom.mil">Ross, Diane
K. CTR</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, May 21, 2005 11:23
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Some questions about an OS
event</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Harrison and all,<BR>In addition to reading and thinking about
Open Space, I now have had the<BR>change to experience it. I did an Open Space
event for 5 people on<BR>Monday afternoon for the staff of a small non-profit
association.<BR>Definite progress was made by the group (see my PS below) and
they were<BR>talking about a full three days with their Board members so I am
very<BR>encouraged about OST. And I have several questions on some aspects
of<BR>how things went and would appreciate any thoughts you might
have...<BR><BR>An easy one first...The 5 women knew each other well so when
they got in<BR>the circle, they moved their chairs together leaving little
room in the<BR>center. Though I asked them to allow more space in the middle
which they<BR>did, it was a very short walk around the circle and I was very
close to<BR>each person as I passed by. I went around twice then stood on
the<BR>edge-basically joining the circle instead of standing in the middle
on<BR>the paper and markers. Is there anything you might suggest that I
could<BR>have done differently as this seemed a bit awkward?<BR><BR>After four
issues appeared on my 2x3 matrix and people signed up for<BR>their sessions, I
had to leave the room for they kept looking to me for<BR>permission to do the
next thing. They kept reminding themselves that it<BR>was up to them so I did
the symbolic act of walking out. When I returned<BR>they had decided that they
were all going to stay together and take a<BR>quarter of the time for each
issue. Is that still Open Space if the<BR>individuals aren't flowing to other
groups?<BR><BR>The time we had...from 1300-1630 was cut to 1400-1630. However,
I've<BR>read it is possible to do open space in an hour so we tried it
anyway.<BR>Are there further criteria when doing such short sessions such
as:<BR>having done Open Space before, agreement to focus on topic and not
on<BR>interpersonal issues, nature of topic area, etc?<BR><BR>There was a
clear conflict between two people and they worked up to<BR>being quite
accusatory of one another. After a couple of hours I<BR>intervened-talked
about respecting each other, "I" statements instead of<BR>"you"
statements...just some basics which did serve to stabilize the<BR>situation.
Is there something you say at the beginning about being<BR>respectful of one
another? In a larger group the facilitator might not<BR>even be aware
that this kind of thing is going on. It seemed that<BR>holding the space open
by my presence did not help them resolve the<BR>conflict-do you ever
intervene?<BR><BR>Due to earlier commitments, two of the people left at 1630
but the<BR>principle of it being over when it's over applied as the rest
talked<BR>till 1930. Those three had peace and a way ahead. I guess
reflectively,<BR>the right people stayed-kind of an affirmation of two
principles here.<BR><BR>I had one person get up and leave the room, walk the
hall, and<BR>reluctantly return after the group said they would make
adjustments. I<BR>seem to recall you said no one had left a session never to
return. The<BR>Law of Two Feet would preclude me from throwing myself at the
door<BR>barring the way. If there was more than one group I could have
directed<BR>them to a second group? Or am I not to engage at all with
the<BR>participants?<BR><BR>My last question is about the arrangement of the
break out area. After<BR>being in the initial circle for the opening, people
went to the wall<BR>which opened up the circle into a U. Then they used the
wall for<BR>reference thus were no longer in a circle during the discussion
which<BR>might have encouraged the adversarial situation. Do you make
any<BR>prescription about break out set up? Do you arranged the break out
areas<BR>in circles too?<BR><BR>As I said at the beginning I am very
encouraged. Having such a positive<BR>outcome under such difficult
circumstances strengthens my conviction<BR>that this would be helpful in many
of my primary areas of influence.<BR><BR>Thank you for your
thoughts,<BR>Diane<BR><BR>PS I heard from one of the participants last night
and she said amazing,<BR>wonderful things are happening since the Open Space.
(I'm sure it will<BR>be a praise report tonight as 3 of the participants are
in my Bible<BR>Study group) The two people who were in conflict had a lengthy
meeting<BR>that went unbelievable well--it would not have been possible
before.<BR>Everyone involved seem to have unexpected clarity and is encouraged
that<BR>they may have turned the corner on this long-term
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