This relates to the very best way I have found to train a facilitator I think I got from Michael Pannwitz and it is simple.
If someone asks me to train them, I invite them to attend an event with me. When it comes time to set the agenda, I have them go over to the wall and just stand there and DO NOTHING. If someone asks for help, help them help themselves. If people want to combine topics, as them if they’d like to take responsibility for that. It is an intense practice in finding your own edges around space holding and continually inviting passion and responsibility. It can last as little as fifteen minutes and it provides enough material to set up a life time of practice. After the conversations are underway, I sit down with the apprentice and we talk about how that felt and what they have to work on in themselves. then I give them a copy of The Tao of Holding Space, and we become lifelong friends. Every person I have “trained” this way has gone on to be an awesome Open Space facilitator. Chris > On Jan 28, 2015, at 12:41 PM, Michael M Pannwitz via OSList > <[email protected]> wrote: > > What HO points to works especially well when I as facilitator dont have a > clue to what the participants are talking about, if, for instance they speak > in tongues other than English or German. > Now, the trick for the facilitator, me or whoever, for not suddenly being in > the position of "space invador" (gads!) is to simply not listen to the > content of what people are saying. Do listen to the din in the room, folks > whispering their issues...etc. as a basis for maybe, maybe, maybe intervening > regarding the "frame". > I have another trick for this: closing my eyes when I feel the urge to > intervene and count slowly to 10 (takes about 17 seconds)... in most cases > someone (the "system") will intervene long before I reach "10" with an > observation, remark, plea... such as: > "Please step up to the microphone so I can hear you" > "Could you speak up a bit" > "When several of you are talking while someone speaks on his issue I cant > understand a thing" > ... > ... > > Sometimes, someone will also come to me (I stand outside the circle during > posting of issues) and suggest I do something to reduce the chatter (or do > this or that). My response is something like "walk up to he mike and speak to > this point to everyone"... after a millisecond of shock, the person that came > up to me smiles and walks over to the mike (sometimes someone else had the > same idea and already is addressing the crowd. > > I know that many of you out there have experienced stuff like this. Lets hear > about it. > > Greetings from Berlin > mmp > > On 28.01.2015 20:41, Harrison Owen via OSList wrote: >> Elwin raised a great point about "listening." I find it is very important >> that everybody hear all the issues. If I think somebody spoke too softly, I >> ask for a repeat. If there are conversations breaking out, I ask for >> respectful listening. If I see groups gathered at the wall, I ask that they >> find a seat (even if they aren't making any noise)... 'cause they probably >> aren't listening. When people are listening duplicate issues just about >> disappear in my experience. Why propose an issue then it's already on the >> wall? Similar issues for sure, and the folks will easily and quickly sort >> out how they wish to proceed (hand in hand or one at a time). >> >> But one thing I absolutely won't ever do is (as facilitator) sort/group the >> issues. It takes too much time, it is boring, and most of all I am totally >> ignorant of the nuances of their issues, which means that the best I would >> ever be able to do it to make a heavy handed mess. Terrible. It's demeaning, >> and non productive. Don't do it. >> >> Harrison >> >> Winter Address >> 7808 River Falls Drive >> Potomac, MD 20854 >> 301-365-2093 >> >> Summer Address >> 189 Beaucaire Ave. >> Camden, ME 04843 >> 207-763-3261 >> >> Websites >> www.openspaceworld.com >> www.ho-image.com >> OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of >> OSLIST Go >> to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: OSList [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of >> Chris Corrigan via OSList >> Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 12:25 PM >> To: John Watkins; World wide Open Space Technology email list >> Subject: Re: [OSList] Combining sessions - a slight change of title >> >> Bang on accurate John! >> >> -- >> CHRIS CORRIGAN >> Harvest Moon Consultants >> Facilitation, Open Space Technology and process design >> >> Check www.chriscorrigan.com for upcoming workshops, blog posts and free >> resources. >> >> >> >>> On Jan 28, 2015, at 8:54 AM, John Watkins via OSList >> <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Chris, >>> >>> So it sounds to me as though you are saying something like the framing of >> purpose and the tying together of harvest (to build on what Jeff said) are >> what help all the micro conversations to contribute usefully to the >> necessary diversity of ways of thinking that create oblique views in order >> to be able to address complex problems effectively. Is that accurate? >>> >>> John >>> >>>> On Jan 28, 2015, at 8:47 AM, Chris Corrigan via OSList wrote: >>>> >>>> You can get a lot of work done with two or three people diving into a >> topic together even while there are three or four similar topics being >> addressed. >>>> >>>> Dealing with complex issues requires taking an oblique view of a >>>> problem and coming at it from different angles. It is really good >>>> strategy to do this. 60 topics for 70 people could be excellent >>>> >>>> What matters is your strategic architecture for following up. What is the >> purpose of these micro conversations and what will you do tho them. Perhaps >> having THAT clarity helps people relax with the volume of topics. >>>> >>>> Chris >>>> >>>> -- >>>> CHRIS CORRIGAN >>>> Harvest Moon Consultants >>>> Facilitation, Open Space Technology and process design >>>> >>>> Check www.chriscorrigan.com for upcoming workshops, blog posts and free >> resources. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> On Jan 27, 2015, at 9:51 PM, NigelSeys-Phillips via OSList >> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Michael >>>>> >>>>> I have been actively wondering about this recently and after a >>>>> really interesting OS two weeks ago with a local bank I appreciate >>>>> for your thoughts In a couple of recent events - with the "issues >>>>> and opportunities" in the title and the invitation to raise any >>>>> issues or topics the participants feel strongly about - I have found >>>>> myself (well, with assistance) almost 'forced' >>>>> to combine as mathematically there were just too many! >>>>> With three sessions available and some 70 people we were well above >>>>> the 60 odd issues....20 plus breakout groups per session....? >>>>> >>>>> I know, I know - stand back and let them sort it out...but with >>>>> 'new' groups and a day what have others done? >>>>> My fear is allocating every single topic a breakout space and 20+ >>>>> groups per session the fragmented nature would mean limited results.... >>>>> >>>>> I know, I know - stand back and trust the system. >>>>> I am trying (I totally do trust the system which is what I love >>>>> about it) but it's hard >>>>> >>>>> And I really would welcome anybody's thoughts - what do I do next time? >>>>> >>>>> Best regards from a hot and steamy Malaysia >>>>> >>>>> Nigel >>>>> >>>>> Nigel Seys-Phillips >>>>> Fulcrum Business Management Solutions >>>>> Tel: +65 9639 2510 >>>>> E-mail: [email protected] >>>>> www.fulcrum.com.sg >>>>> >>>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE >>>>> >>>>> This communication contains information which is confidential and >>>>> may also be priveleged. It is for the exclusive use of the intended >>>>> recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient(s) please note >>>>> that any distribution, copying or use of this communication or the >>>>> information in it is strictly prohibited. If you have received this >>>>> communication in error please notify us by return e-mail and then delete >> the e-mail and any copies of it. >>>>> >>>>> Warning - Although Fulcrum has taken reasonable precautions to >>>>> ensure no viruses are present in this e-mail, we cannot accept >>>>> responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of this >> e-mail or its attachments. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>> From: OSList [mailto:[email protected]] On >>>>> Behalf Of Michael M Pannwitz via OSList >>>>> Sent: Tuesday, 27 January 2015 6:55 PM >>>>> To: Susan Partnow; World wide Open Space Technology email list >>>>> Subject: Re: [OSList] Anticipating number of topics/sessions... >>>>> >>>>> Dear Susan, >>>>> >>>>> yes, thats my feeling too, 15 to 20 breakout spaces for 30 to 40 issues. >>>>> >>>>> Jeffs response on "combining or abandoning" topics got me to reflect >>>>> on the word "topic". From work wayback with structured brainstorming >>>>> I remember a group of 25 "generating" between 30 to 50 topics. >>>>> >>>>> With os crowds and my use of the word "issue" (with talking a bit >>>>> about what is meant with "issue" in contrast to "topic or idea or >>>>> something I am interested in", mentioning passion, urgency etc.) I >>>>> find that there was decreasing tendency of combining or abolishing. >>>>> Actually, when someone suggested to combine issues I would suggest >>>>> in a very low-key way that this was not illegal and add something >>>>> like: What might look and sound very similar often turns out to be >> different in an important way. >>>>> >>>>> As a participant I have become quite uncomfortable, irritated or even >> >>>>> foaming when I had a facilitator go to the Bulleting Board and "cluster" >> >>>>> stuff... turning into a space invador. My reaction, I suppose, got >>>>> me to be cautious with "combining". >>>>> >>>>> How is your take on the impact of the "words" we use? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Cheers and good luck with a very short event! >>>>> >>>>> mmp >>>>> >>>>>> On 26.01.2015 22:59, Susan Partnow via OSList wrote: >>>>>> Hello dear OSers... I am planning a very short OS here in Seattle >>>>>> at the WOW (Women of Wisdom) conference - Sunday afternoon, Feb 15 >>>>>> - and trying to call the rule of thumb for anticipating the likely >>>>>> number of sessions to plan for - We have two brief OS times and expect >> ~100 participants. >>>>>> Any educated guesses as we plan for delineating break out spaces? >> Thanks! >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Susan Partnow >>>>>> Sr. Certified Facilitator, Compassionate Listening Founding >>>>>> Director, Global Citizen Journey >>>>>> 4425 Baker Ave NW >>>>>> Seattle, WA 98107 >>>>>> tel. 206-783-8561 >>>>>> fax 206-782-7786 >>>>>> www.globalcitizenjourney.org <http://www.globalcitizenjourney.org> >>>>>> Join our mailing list >>>>>> >>>>>> www.susanpartnow.com <http://www.susanpartnow.com> Partnow >>>>>> Communications, Organizational Development & Workshops >>>>>> >>>>>> www.conversationcafe.org <http://www.conversationcafe.org> Co-Founder >>>>>> www.compassionatelistening.org >>>>>> <http://www.compassionatelistening.org> >>>>>> Certified Facilitator and Core Council www.thataway.org >>>>>> <http://www.thataway.org> National Coalition on Dialogue & >>>>>> Deliberation Advisor >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>>> To post send emails to [email protected] To >>>>>> unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >>>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.or >>>>>> g >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Michael M Pannwitz >>>>> Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany >>>>> ++49 - 30-772 8000 >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Check out the Open Space World Map presently showing 403 resident >>>>> Open Space Workers in 69 countries working in a total of 143 >>>>> countries >>>>> worldwide: www.openspaceworldmap.org >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>> To post send emails to [email protected] To unsubscribe >>>>> send an email to [email protected] >>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>> To post send emails to [email protected] To unsubscribe >>>>> send an email to [email protected] >>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> OSList mailing list >>>> To post send emails to [email protected] To unsubscribe >>>> send an email to [email protected] >>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to [email protected] To unsubscribe >>> send an email to [email protected] >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >> _______________________________________________ >> OSList mailing list >> To post send emails to [email protected] To unsubscribe send an >> email to [email protected] >> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OSList mailing list >> To post send emails to [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >> > > -- > Michael M Pannwitz > Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany > ++49 - 30-772 8000 > > > > Check out the Open Space World Map presently showing 403 resident Open Space > Workers in 69 countries working in a total of 143 countries worldwide: > www.openspaceworldmap.org > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list > To post send emails to [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org _______________________________________________ OSList mailing list To post send emails to [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
