It is important for me to be clear about who's needs are being met by "taking part". I do believe that OST engages the group's energy, insight and direction. If I have a personal stake in the particular outcomes of that event, then I don't think I'm the one to open the space. My role during the Open Space part of the interaction with them is not as expert. I do have faith that the group will learn what it needs to learn when it self-organizes, even if I could provide some "expertise". If I "take part" after starting as a facilitator it demonstrates that I do not trust their ability to learn what they need to learn or that "whatever happens is the only thing that could have". I quickly negate some of the principles of Open Space.
I am most happy to reflect with them after the experience on our mutual learning -- action/reflection like Paulo Friere but afterwards. Then my role is clear. I also have recently worked with a Canadian who worked closely with Friere before moving here. The "ideas" are so important that Open Space is not a possibility for her -- she could not open a space for her organization because she could not help but intervene in the substance of the analysis during that time. Since there was not real space, we used other approaches and had a very good session -- but it was not Open Space. Larry Larry Peterson Associates in Transformation Toronto, ON, Canada 416.653.4829 [email protected] www.spiritedorg.com * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
