p.p.s. to
And of course I think a helping hand can be occasionally useful even though I
personally kick all stray dogs and immediately banish the helpless to
hopelessness...
It occurred that this image might disguise the lesson. I want to be clear how
important the conversation about helping as disempowering was to me. It caused
me to get very clear on when and how I do provide support instead of jumping in
no matter the circumstance, I'm very mindful about it, mostly opting to do
nothing because as you said,
One of my major learnings from Open Space has been how LITTLE assistance
people actually require in order to effectively utilize their natural gifts and
talents.
----- Original Message -----
From: Peggy Holman
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: [OSLIST] Growing Together at the Emerging Edge of Evolution
(long)
Harrison said:
Get rid of the whole bloody mess, WC, AI, FS, and of course OS too. How is
that for striking a blow for freedom?
What can I say but amen?
Love from Seattle (where it is an unseasonable 92 degrees Farenheit),
Peggy
P.S. To your statement:
And of course I think a helping hand can be occasionally useful even though I
personally kick all stray dogs and immediately banish the helpless to
hopelessness...
I KNEW there was something I loved about you. (Sorry for painting such a
picture.)
----- Original Message -----
From: Harrison Owen
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 1:53 PM
Subject: Re: [OSLIST] Growing Together at the Emerging Edge of Evolution
(long)
Peggy -- you will note that I said, " I can certainly understand that for
reasons of client sensitivities or facilitator sensitivities WC, AI, or FS may
be the preferred way to go."-- and I can appreciate your strategy that if all
roads lead to Open Space any road will do. And of course I think a helping hand
can be occasionally useful even though I personally kick all stray dogs and
immediately banish the helpless to hopelessness. But that really wasn't my
point. I was simply observing the fact that we (all of us some of the time, and
some of us most of the time) seemingly obsess on Processes as if they were the
source of our salvation. In doing so we may forget that the Process, at best,
is an artificial assist for natural functions. Sort of organizational CPR, I
suppose. And in the case of CPR you do only enough to get the old heart going
again. Long term CPR is off the mark -- except possibly in certain
circumstances and with particular partners. One of my major learnings from Open
Space has been how LITTLE assistance people actually require in order to
effectively utilize their natural gifts and talents. I think we have all had
the experience with a client group when somebody says "What you are proposing
(in my case OS) sounds just wonderful -- BUT it could never work with THIS
GROUP! And of course, if it is never tried, it will never work. And besides
"it" doesn't work -- the people work. But if the fates are smiling, and despite
all misgivings, fears and trepidations, Open Space is attempted -- Miracle! But
of course it is not a miracle. On the contrary, it is just what you would
predict. Turns out "THIS GROUP" is just like groups everywhere. Given the
space/time -- they will get the job done. For me, less is best, and even lesser
would be better still. Get rid of the whole bloody mess, WC, AI, FS, and of
course OS too. How is that for striking a blow for freedom?
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
Potomac, MD 20854
USA
301-365-2093
207-763-3261 (summer)
website www.openspaceworld.com
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