Dear Doug In circumstances like this I would review a certain number of factors before I intervened. They would include the tone of the open space so far, whether the others in her conversation were 'looking for help' from the facilitator, were the rest of the group ignoring her or were they listening to what she was saying but still going their own way, and the feelings I got about her increasing reluctance to participate or to disrupt proceedings. Did she articulate any of her reasons? Or did she just keep saying 'no' one way or another.
The principle behind my approach might be described as expanding the chaos so that a better order might emerge! If I thought it appropriate to intervene and I am always reluctant to do so, I might do one of the following: Make the observation to the group about the progress so far that this 'decision/topic' seems to be very important and at the same time so-and-so seems strongly against the ideas/decision. Ask them how important it really is for them all. If the answer is 'yes' or 'very' then spending extra time on this might have a beneficial effect on the overall outcome and would they be willing to give some time so that so-and-so could better explain some of her reasons? And ask her if she would be willing to take just a couple of minutes give her reasons and to see if she could persuade the group that they had missed important points. Then hold the space for her to explain her reasons. The facilitator can assist with questions for opening up more space and creating more curiosity. If they say no, but she says yes then asking them to give her the opportunity to better explain her reservations. And if everyone says no, then that might be enough to move people on I might ask if the 'lady' if in that case she was happy to let the decision stand and move on to something else of interest to her. Or depending on the quality of the sense of getting on and how important to the overall process the current block is... Suggest a mini debate on the issue. With each point of view proposed by the 'holding' side or even more 'risky' that each side should strongly propose the point of view of the other side! If that goes well then you can ask each how they felt about the views they expressed. Was there anything they learned that they did know before that was relevant to the way forward? I have actually found the debate route to be very effective. I have observed that some people find moving into open space very challenging. It doesn't feel rational enough for them, decisions are made very quickly and there appears to be no stopping this process! And sometimes when they observe the power of open space they feel their hard won hierarchical position is being made redundant... the people are making laws without parliament! There are lots of ways to introduce this idea and framing will depend upon the specific circumstances. Great attention should be paid to doing it in an impartial way. If the intention is to open space and reveal deeper meaning for the benefit of the group then it has the best chance of enhancing the process. Why does it work? In other forms of 'conflict resolution' I have found that if people do not have an opportunity to state their views with passion, conviction and be listened to they are often unable to move forward and appreciate other points of view. Everything else is seen as a threat. Sometimes we have to give them the framework for that otherwise they take the opportunity in small chunks at any opportunity. The most popular time is just when all the others have made a decision. I call it the 'grenade at 4.30 in the afternoon'!! It also gives everyone an opportunity to see if they have missed anything and often the person who has the alternative view but is not expressing it very effectively, has a valid point which others have missed. For every disaster you can find someone who knew it was going to happen and just about when but was not listened to. They were viewed as a 'complainer' or difficult person and ignored, often due to their level of influence or indeed their personal style. Why might it not work? If the suggestion is received as partisan, judgemental or manipulative. If the dissenting person is humiliated in some way. You can't create enough space in the time available or complete the process There are fundamental issues that people are not willing to share which are really at the centre of the issue. If you are fearful that the situation will get much worse and that is unacceptable to you. However, if it doesn't work to move the issue on and it was done in good faith there will still be a benefit. You can only give them the opportunity! It works in life too! I am often heard proposing the others point of view framed in a way that is intended to 'put myself in other's shoes'. When I have repeated their argument/points I might say that 'the point I relate to/like best is.... because....' and 'the point you make about .... is very hard for me to agree with because ... ' This all might sound a bit scripted but in practice it isn't just sounds that way written down! It doesn't always work but demonstrating that you have done your best to see the other parties point of view and perhaps even enhancing the strength of it can be very powerful in creating the feeling of respect for the other and that is often what people really want. I would be interested in hearing views on this. Kind regards Amanda -----Original Message----- From: Douglas D. Germann, Sr. [mailto:76066....@compuserve.com] Sent: 26 January 2005 01:52 Subject: How do you live in open space? Alan-- Have a good moving experience, Alan. The replies from everyone have given me much to ponder. I have saved them all and will re-read them many times, for they are heartening for me. What do you do when someone tries to close down the space around you in a meeting? I've recently had the experience of someone wanting to see anything others said as a competition or a threat. She even took upon herself to rescind a decision made by the group! Any thoughts on keeping space open in such meetings and in life in the face of such? :-Doug. Who's making a difference? * * ========================================================== 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