Hi John,
Thanks for the reply. The stakeholder/spaceholder divide for me has
always been an interesting one. Especially since it never sat well with
me. When I'm being paid as a spaceholder, which I have been paid, and
professional facilitation is often the context then the divide makes
sense. But it's not where most of my passion about Open Space fits.
Have you heard of the role of Participant-Facilitator?
I learned this concept from a Peacemaking Circle training, which comes
from a first nations tribe of northern Canada. It's essential very much
related to what many if not most of the north American tribes have shown
us with the idea of a talking stick in a circle, giving space for
everyone to participate. This idea "healed" the divide for me, giving
the space holder a non-privileged role in the space where the
facilitator does participate as well as inviting (rather than
controlling) the self-organizing structures that the participants get to
enjoy.
I'm not sure how interested others are in this conversation. Mostly
people on this list focus on helping deconstruct the dysfunctional
control fantasy of traditional leadership/ownership *control*, while
needing to engage with traditional leadership. I'm not sure this is the
biggest issue in many emerging communities and organizations.
Harold
On 5/6/23 4:18 PM, John Warinner via OSList wrote:
Thank you Harold. I think you raise a key point regarding the
respective roles of "stakeholders" (my word) and "spaceholders" (my
take on your word).
Sometimes, we participate in a space or system at the invitation of
the "stakeholders" wearing only our "spaceholder" hat. In those
instances, I perceive the lines between roles are relatively clear.
Sometimes, we participate in a space or system in which we are
"stakeholders" AND "spaceholders." In those instances, I perceive the
lines between roles are less clear... and they must be navigated
carefully to maintain objectivity and the trust of the other participants.
I understand the argument that we can and/or should avoid playing the
"spaceholder" role in spaces/systems where we are "stakeholders."
But my personal worldview is that we are better served to acknowledge
our "stakeholdership" and practice/learn the art of serving both roles
while maintaining our objectivity and the trust of others.
Depending on the circumstances, this MAY NOT involve introducing our
own ideas of where and how the system SHOULD proceed, but it MAY WELL
involve introducing our unique ideas/insights about where and how the
system COULD proceed.
I believe this is consistent with the perspective you shared... but I
welcome feedback from you and/or others.
Thank you,
JohnW
*John Warinner
*(541) 815-4103*
*[email protected]
--
Harold Shinsato
[email protected]
https://shinsato.com
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