David, While my experience mirrors Birgitts, that whatever "stuff" people need to deal with very often comes out in the first day, the question or theme that frames an OS for me is very much like AI's process of Affirmative Topic Choice. In other words, the OS's theme is always framed as possibility focused. Within that frame, people do the work they need to do to sort through what has passion and meaning for them.
Peg Holman -----Original Message----- From: Birgitt Bolton <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 8:09 PM Subject: Re: Problem or Deficit Focus >Hi David, >sometimes in an open space, especially if it is more than one day, what you >call a deficit focus is a good and necessary part of processing. Usually, >especially in troubled circumstances, on day one, the troubles get spoken of >alot. Interestingly, there is a shift to solution focus on day 2 without >anyone having had to do anything about it. It just takes care of itself. > >Sometimes, I hold a storytelling session the evening before the open space >so that the past and present can be honoured. Simple talking stick ceremony. >No intervention or "training" from me. Just let it happen. After honouring >the past and present, people are more ready to be solution focused for the >future during the open space right from the beginning. In doing the >honouring of past and present, we experience the movement through the grief >cycle which Harrison speaks of . > >Warmest regards, >Birgitt > >Birgitt Bolton of Dalar Associates >www.openspacetechnology.com >55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario, Canada > L9G 2E8 >phone: 905-648-5775 fax: 905-648-2262 > >-----Original Message----- >From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of David >C. Rupley, Jr., MD >Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 12:52 PM >To: [email protected] >Subject: Problem or Deficit Focus > > >In reflecting on the last two days at OSonOS, I have come upon a question - >new and unvoiced. > >First, a bit of background. Having inhabited what I might call a "deficit >space" for all of my professional life(medicine), when I was introduced to >Appreciative Inquiry by David Cooperrider and Diana Whitney - it was like a >breath of fresh air after having become acclimated to something far from it. >The logic (and feeling) from AI has great appeal and probably has its >advantages where there is no or limited sense of urgency. > >OST (consistent with the "advertising") is MUCH LESS WORK. Aside from my >devotion to being a PLR (path of least resistance), I really agree with the >fundamental from HOO that less is more. > >So, is there any particular situation where some kind of preparation is >necessary to get people to open space in a more positive, less deficit focus >way? > >Live Well, Think BIG, > >Dave > >David C. Rupley, Jr., MD >Spirited Growth >Work: 520-742-9325 >Fax: 520-742-9385 >http://www.spiritedgrowth.com/
