Hello Raphael,
Wonderful topic! It's probably not that uncommon at OST events for some
of the presentations to be pre-prepared, canned, or well rehearsed by
the conveners. I'd not intervene with the particular folks who convene
such sessions. If those sessions are what people want to go to, and it's
what they present, then that can be just fine. I'd agree it might be
disappointing to us facilitators who know that so much more is possible
with open space. But "Whatever happens..."
What seems to work in the OST events I've facilitated, and in the ones
I've been to - is during the opening to really encourage people convene
their sessions as questions, assert that you don't have to be an expert
in a topic to host a session, and to encourage the possibility of dialog
and conversation. It also helps to ensure that you can always open up
more session locations, and give enough time so that people can get out
all their session topics. Making sure there's plenty of time and space
gets past the scarcity mindset, and leaves some room open for those who
don't want to elbow their way into a crowd.
It's important also to assert some of these points in the invitation -
especially to invite people to bring their questions about the theme.
I'm eager to hear what others have to say about this. I've noticed that
sometimes people have a tendency to flock to the most charismatic
presenter, and then to recede into the background. I've been interested
in a topic that seems to be coming up more often in the techie open
spaces I've been to - is how to work with introverts? What I've heard
over and over, is usually the answer is in the room - and often it's
hidden in those who aren't speaking. How do we help break through that
mindset?
Harold
On 10/27/10 1:31 PM, Raffi Aftandelian wrote:
Queridos amigos del espacio abierto,
A friend of mine who took place in an OST event I organized and facilitated
recently (a daylong Compassionate Communication practice event) expressed
dissatisfaction about the following:
It seemed that most everyone who had convened a session already had a plan
for how it would go and there didn't seem to be much space to deviate from
this plan. From what I understand, she didn't really speak up for what she
wanted either- nor did she convene her own session(s).
Indeed, I knew that some people were going to convene particular sessions
and I did not intervene or say anything to these people beforehand.
I am curious, if you know that people are going to convene a particular
session beforehand, do you say anything to these conveners, given the
chance? Do you say anything during the formal opening of the space to
address this?
I wonder if there is no such thing as a perfect opening that addresses all
eventualities and that no doubt there will always be a few people who didn't
feel engaged/inspired enough by the opening to jump into the day with two feet?
Thanks!
abrazos,
Raphael
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