Elwin -- you have described my way perfectly. Having the conversation is great -- always keeping everything open to outcomes. I remember sitting with an anxious sponsor before a meeting who was so concerned that the "right" issues would not emerge. I invited him to write down what he thought were the "right issues" on a piece of paper, put it in his pocket, and then see how things moved along. At the end of the OS, I asked how it all came out for him, and he responded that it was all "magic" -- and frankly he had never looked at his piece of paper. I urged him to do that -- and he pulled out a rumpled piece, contemplated it for a bit and said -- "God that was awful! The folks were so much wiser that I." I have used the strategy on several occasions and it always seems to work. For the nervous folks, I say write it down so you know what should be done. Makes them feel better, and they never look back. Wonderful.
ho Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20845 Phone 301-365-2093 Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Elwin and Joan Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 5:06 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: is it still open? Kerry said: >"I do not like the idea of sponsors saying ahead of time what is and >what is not possible BEFORE an event even happens. So, we never discuss >them unless they are raised." I do find something very useful in dealing with the sponsor's "givens" however, and that is what I gain from listening to them. Typically I hold a round table meeting with the sponsoring powers (sometimes the night before the event). I announce that I want them, one at a time, to inform me about what they expect. After they have all spoken, I repeat, in summarized fashion, what each has told me. Then I ask them if they are satisfied that I clearly understood their expectations. After they all say yes, I state that what they expect is NOT what they will get! Rather, they will get something that they will view as far better. "Something" that will surprise everyone. Finally, I say, when it's over, if you don't agree don't pay me! The process of listening to them is what I draw on in Opening Space. It provides me with a seemingly "true" sense of what is going on in their minds as well as in the minds of the participates. I wouldn't do it any other way. ===== Elwin Guild Future Development International Baltimore * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
