thanks for this Chris, it resonates with me.
Denise
On Nov 15, 2010, at 7:22 AM, Chris Corrigan wrote:
For me the answer is always "it depends". I have run OST events
with stuff at the beginning and afterwards (and even sometimes in
the dreaded middle of things) but it is always dependent on the
context.
Having said that, so much about the opening of space is about
cultivating the energy of the group, tapping the deepest purpose
and swiftly and clearly explaining the process and principles. A
two part opening tends to stall or kill that energy especially
after the agenda has been set. For me mastery of this form of
meeting is summed up by one practice: the art of shutting up. Once
I have explained things I shut up and let people get to work. The
more I talk the less space there is for others. The quicker I can
get out of the way the better.
It is amazing to me how many experienced facilitators have trouble
shutting up (me among them) but I invite you all to cultivate the
practice. It is about a clear and crisp ending of your role so the
group can get to work.
Chris
Ps the best piece of advice I ever saw on this list about the
energy of opening came from Lisa who once said "model enthusiasm".
Excellent.
-----
CHRIS CORRIGAN
http://www.chriscorrigan.com
Sent from an iPhone, typed with thumbs...
On 2010-11-14, at 11:26 PM, Lisa Heft <lisah...@openingspace.net>
wrote:
Hi, Artur -
Regarding the outdoor experiences the day before an Open Space:
many things can happen the day before an Open Space. But as Open
Space delivers intimate passionate discussion, relationship-
building, a sense of community or team, energetic interchange and
even laughter - I not only see no reason to design in preliminary
activities *but* have actually seen an Open Space suffer after
these. And I have seen the same as Harrison noted - participants
have often said 'why didn't you give us more time for our work /
play / discussion in Open Space - we could have used it'.
This includes introduction / warm-up / 'icebreaker' activities.
Even going around in a circle hearing what everyone's name and
title is seems to be taking up valuable time for participants -
they always say how they came to know and remember each other much
more deeply because of their shared interests and spirited
discussions in the Open Space and that a traditional introduction
both is hard to remember plus can often set up assumptions about
who is supposedly who.
Regarding the introduction / explanation of Open Space - I feel
strongly that one should explain the principles and law BEFORE
opening up the floor for topics / agenda co-creation.
Because you are explaining / inviting a different way of being.
You are explaining when you explain principles and law that
everything is possible, including visiting multiple discussions
during a single session.
You are letting people know to follow the energy of the
conversations rather than their pre-conceived agendas.
And you are also letting people know that even if one person comes
that is exactly the amazing perfect thing - they can write in
silence and contribute even if they have a completely different
way of thinking.
The explanation of principles and laws (not just the reading of
the text on the posters) is one of the essential invitations in
Open Space, I believe.
Also: your client said that they do that certain way (explaining
only each thing as needed) for ***trainings****.
That is a very good way to do a training.
Open Space meetings are not trainings.
A very important difference for design, explanation, dynamics,
information the participants need for their self-organized work,
objectives, outcomes and more. Right?
Lisa
Lisa Heft
Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
Opening Space
lisah...@openingspace.net
On Nov 13, 2010, at 1:19 PM, Artur Silva wrote:
Thanks for your answer(s), Harrison.
And have you (ou others) any comments on my point 2 (the possible
two-step opening)?
Rgds
Artur
* * ==========================================================
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To
subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/
archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST
FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
* * ==========================================================
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To
subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/
archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST
FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
*
*
==========================================================
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
