Sheila -- I can certainly understand your confusion! In my case, there is a question that I constantly ask myself during an OS -- What do I need to do for myself so that I can be fully present for the participants when needed? For example, after the opening there is a high liklihood that I will be more than a little pooped. I start early making preparations, and the opening itself is a very high energy situation for me. When we get to that point that all the participants are going to the Wall for sign-up and negotiations, I really need a break, and of equal importantce, they don't need me. And as a matter of fact, my physical presence can actually be a detraction to the whole affair. If I am around (visably) folks might reasonably expect me to "make some order out of the chaos." I know that I can't do that, and more to the point, I shouldn't even try. And most important -- the folks can and will create their own order -- which is what self-organization and Open Space are all about. So I do leave the room -- and even take a nap.
I can understand that taking a nap may seem to be a complete cop-out and derreliction of duty, but I don't think so. I have found that even when sound asleep I am somehow in real "communication" with the group. Most often I just sleep peacefully, but there have been occasions when I just "knew" that my physical presence could be helpful. I have learned always to trust the intuition and just follow my nose -- which always seems to take me to the "right" place. Once there (whever there is) doing something is usually beside the point, but really BEING THERE can be most helpful. After a few more Open Spaces, you will discover that there is a more or less predictable "flow" -- with long space/times when you can go and take care of yourself. This is not selfish, but sensible, I think. If you are a wreck, there is not much chance that you can be fully present when needed. This is especially true in very high conflict situations. Most of the time, the people will take care of themselves, but there are moments when you focused presence can be critical. And you have to be in good shape to really pull that off. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20854 Phone 301-365-2093 Skype hhowen Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website www.ho-image.com OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Sheila Beauchemin Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 6:22 PM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: Re: marketplace Hi there, I am an open space neophite so my questions must be taken with that in mind. I confess that I am having trouble understanding the consistency between "leaving the room" only to return at the end of the session for evening news, and the necessity to "hold time and space". Here, it appeared that the facilitator was to remain around but not visible - doing all those small tasks that keep the space safe and comfortable for those busy beavers working away in the breakout sessions? Can you provide some further enlightenment - and encourage as I find the notion of leaving a hard one! Call it the value for money proposition that I occassional face (albiet not in an OST environment) - e.g. "Sure am paying a lot of money and what are she really doing? She isn't even in the room!" I have more basic questions but will post these separately along with an introduction! Regards, Sheila Beauchemin Victoria, BC Canada * * ========================================================== 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