Michael, Interesting you would mention this. I was pondering this yesterday. In my most recent Open Space adventure with our company, I intentionally omitted my name from ALL materials related to the retreat . . . The invitation as well as all other correspondence to the group. EVERYTHING came directly from the Sponsor (the Team Leader).
A few thoughts as to how this affected the actual flow of the event: - Prior to the event, I did not have bunches of people approaching me to find out what they should expect - EVERYONE came with the same "expectations" - That they were coming to an event to "Create the Future" - No-one knew anything about what was going to happen - The process, agenda, facilitator etc - The group went right to work without hesitation when the light turned green (Marketplace opened) - I was completely invisible until the closing . . . Even when people saw me in the passing, they were too busy doing what they came to do to engage me in side conversations about the process. - The proceedings also do not have my name ANYWHERE on them . . . It is THE ORGANIZATION'S book . . . They OWN it completely. This was my first Go at doing it this way, and I like it. I am aware that many of the OST events I have facilitated in the past were ones in which my name was front and center in all communications . . . sort of as a validation for the process and/or worth of attending the meeting - and perhaps an ego trip of sorts of my own. The flavor of the event is different when the folks come because they have great passion for the THEME and less interest in witnessing an unusual process or a professional opening space. The ego aspect of it is something I have pondered for years. I think it falls under the category of marketing. "If I don't market myself in all of the materials and make my contact information known, how will they know who to refer to other people? How will I get future business if I don't have my personal imprint/signature on my successes?" Truth is . . . If folks are stirred by the process and/or my presentation and presence, they will discover themselves who I am and how to find me without me having to feed it to them in THEIR invitation, correspondence and proceedings. So I feel my role is along the lines of staying out of the way from start to finish . . . so the entire thing is more about the organization and their passion for the theme and ONLY THAT! There is no room for any other "agendas" Best, B Website www.theowengroup.net Visit my BLOG @ http://creatingspaces.blogspot.com/ Barry Owen Principal Broker The Owen Group Keller Williams Realty - Green Hills Market Center 30 Burton Hills Blvd Ste 175 Nashville, TN 37215 Direct - 615.568.2123 Toll Free 866.375.0965 Fax - 615.523.2462 Keller Williams Realty is a learning-based Training & Consulting Company supporting our Real Estate Professionals by offering business models, systems, tools, & support to Build Careers Worth Having, Businesses Worth Owning, and Lives worth living . . . We are THE fastest growing, most innovative real estate company in America. Check us out @ www.theowengroup.net OR www.homselrs.com -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.7/538 - Release Date: 11/18/2006 * * ========================================================== 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