A few years ago I badly strained my foot and could move about only in a
wheel chair... which I also did facilitating an open space with 200
highschool students on the issue of racism ("Me, a racist?" was the
theme). I did feel very relaxed being "de-elevated" and at the same
level with the students as I "walked" the circle.
Reflecting on that experience I now always take care to have a circle of
at least 10 meters in diameter so that I am not too close to the seated
participants, too towering as I walk (my habit is to walk it once or a
bit more than once, sometimes two times... changing my mode of movement
after that "focusing the group" part which I do with the idea that the
group begins to focus on itself... and eventually using the entire space
as a dancer would on a stage with the idea that it is a space that can
be used in all ways possible).
On prework: I do work intensively with the sponsor and the planning
group on all aspects of the event sometimes months before the OS event
itself with the result that I get to know them, they get to know me and,
of course, I also get to know about their theme and what it is they want
to achieve.
All that I now consider a side-effect.
What I am really interested in is that they craft their event and that
they are clear on their theme and on what they want to achieve.
I, however, focus on the myriad of things that I know support their
work: the space, the time, the material, the food, the documentation
technicalities, the public address system, the team, the briefing of the
sponsor, facilitating the planning meeting and the Next Meeting(s) after
the event... and, of course, getting myself into the mysterious mode of
"presence and invisibility".
Essentially, my relationship with the theme will not substitute their
passion for it. I respect it, yes. And my relationship with the people
which inadvertendly developes is much less essential than the spirit
that developes in the Planning Group, for instance. I love them, yes.
My experience is that me getting into the theme (more than even the
participants) or my relationship with the Planning Group becoming
intensive (more than the relationship between the members of the
Planning Group) can deflect the focus in a way that both my presence and
invisibility necessary for my focus on space and time for the forces of
selforganisation are deminished.
Greetings from Berlin
mmp
Harold Shinsato wrote:
Great sharings from all around...
This might also help... something I read in a book about llama care.
Llamas don't like to be touched normally, but if you do it often enough
they become desensitized and won't mind being touched and handled. The
same is true for a lot of things humans don't feel comfortable about -
at first. It's one of the reasons Lisa's training was so valuable for me
- getting experience walking and talking in the circle "desensitizes" to
the discomfort so one can spend more time tuning into the energy of the
room and being what they need from me as a facilitator. That's also a
lot easier when I already feel I have a relationship with the theme and
the people because of strong pre-work (another thing Lisa emphasizes).
It has also helped knowing a lot of the people in the room - getting a
chance to talk make eye contact even before getting into the circle, and
having some friendly faces to help remember it's all good.
And the trick that Harrison mentioned is also something that Dale
Carnegie put in his "How to Win Friends and Influence People" classic.
If you feel nervous, just admit it and move on. The transparency puts
people at ease and you stop having to fight wondering whether anyone is
noticing that you are nervous.
Harold
On 11/18/10 9:42 PM, Lisa Heft wrote:
Hello, dear Eleder - once again you ask great questions.
Everyone has shared so wonderfully.
The only things I would add are:
In my Open Space Learning Workshop one of the things folks do is
practice walking and talking in that circle.
And yes - others have mentioned as you have their concern with having
their backs to someone as they speak.
What they have found is similar to what was mentioned here - if you
look a few people ahead and keep moving (slowly, breathing, present)
you are indeed never having your back to anyone for very long. If you
turn your head as you move you are including people behind you as you
travel, as well. If your voice is loud enough or you have a microphone
everyone can hear you even if you are not facing everyone.
Of course this is all different if some people in your circle have any
hearing differences such as deafness or other hearing loss - so it is
always good to ask on registration forms who has any access / ability
/ mobility issues they would like to bring to event coordinators'
attention. Then you have this extra info if you need it for some
individuals, and can give them extra eye contact or some notes as well.
*
/
It is true that having too small a circle and towering over people is
hard for them - so do make a nice big circle with room in between each
chair. And if it is too small on the inside I see no problem with
walking the outside of the circle (though when I have done this some
of my OS colleagues have *gasped* !. But it is so I do not close
everyone in too tightly, in those instances.
I have also learned from my workshop participants that if you have any
nervousness about looking people in the eye, try instead....looking at
the tops of their heads (!).
It often feels like you are looking at them - try it.
But I think you will become more and more comfortable as you practice,
sort how you like to say things, and experience yourself doing it more
and more.
Sometimes if it is a tense event to come - I may set up the circle and
then walk, it, before any participants arrive. And I envision the
participants and their listening faces, and I smile and welcome them
before they get there.
Mostly - Suzanne said it so well: it is of course not about you. It is
about them. So if you focus on them and on making your voice and the
instructions something they can hear and that invites them, then once
you begin you are in partnership with them - and they can feel it...
And the other 'mostly' is: remember you are in your walking, your
breathing, your explaining - creating a container that is open and
welcoming and has tools and a process - so that they can do their best
work.
You are with your walk, your voice, your instructions, your
breathing... weaving that open and inviting container. And in your
walking you are invoking (calling in) energy.
And you know how to do that, dear Eleder - just.... breathe.... and
... go.... and be amazed, as I know you are....
Lisa
Lisa Heft
/
*
Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
*Opening Space*
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
--
Harold Shinsato
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
http://shinsato.com
twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
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