Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Michael Herman via OSList]

A participant once asked me what I was doing before/as I stepped into the
opening circle, Jake. I asked what if looked like. She said, like you were
being space. Best ppt compliment I ever had. Also the week after two weeks
in a Tibetan monastery, so maybe I was too if my game.

If you want, you can practice with another being what happen when you
describe the falling away. Sit facing each other, or back to back is good
too. Let your awareness include everything that tells you that you are, all
and any sensation. Then let awareness notice that the being infrint if you
is, too.  Let the other be as real to you as you are to yourself.
Move/pulse attention back and forth until you are aware of both being at
once. Won’t matter if they do this or not, as long as they’re not
distracting you. Notice what happens. Notice the quality of space. Shared.
Notice what it feels like and then google the four immeasurables. And then
notice that we can do this anytime with groups, of just in the train home
at night. Open space is everywhere at once. 


On Thu, Feb 13, 2020 at 16:54 Jake Yeager via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> This was such a rich thread. Thank you all for sharing.
>
> My "understanding" of OST and the facilitator's role deepens the more I
> engage in spiritual practices.
>
> At some point I imagine the notion of "me" as an "OST facilitator" will
> also fall away. Then, I am fully present--hell, I AM the present. :) Or
> just I AM. And the notion of the "group" falls away too.
>
> Much love all
>
> Jake
> 
>
> When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again, and
> you will be free of problems.
>  - Robert Adams 
>
>
> On Mon, Feb 10, 2020 at 1:03 PM Thomas Perret via OSList <
> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
>> Birgitt,
>>
>> Awesome, thank you!
>>
>> Kindly,
>> Thomas
>>
>>
>> On 10 Feb 2020, at 17.40, Birgitt Williams via OSList <
>> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Thomas,
>> My perspective about OST started because I was in a senior staff
>> position, accountable for the performance of my organization, when I
>> introduced OST into the organization and paid a lot of attention to what
>> worked and what didn't over time. My perspective is added to by my choice
>> to work predominantly in helping organizations transform. My use of OST is
>> within intact organizations and multiple OST meetings are always part of
>> our transformation process. The best I can offer on the list is my
>> perspective from my own experience.
>>
>> Most important is that every person who facilitates OST has an
>> understanding of the form of OST, and their own chosen concept of what the
>> essence is. What is this thing referred to as 'space', what is meant by
>> 'open' and then 'open space'. From a personal understanding comes a
>> personal perspective of what it is to open space and hold space, if those
>> words suit the person. It is a personal journey. I have come to understand
>> that it is more about the persona/leadership development of the facilitator
>> over time than about anything else. It is a way to learn to be the change
>> you want to see in the world.
>>
>> The decisions about what to do and not do come from this understanding
>> and the associated perspective that develops. I have a perspective that is
>> uniquely mine, although I have set teachings from my perspective out into
>> the word in our Working with Open Space Technology module of the Genuine
>> Contact program. In turn, every GC trainer shares via their own unique
>> perspective.
>>
>> Thank you for noticing,
>> in genuine contact,
>> Birgitt
>>
>>
>> *Birgitt Williams*
>> *Supporting You in Developing Your Leadership*
>> Author,The Genuine Contact Way: Nourishing a Culture of Leadership
>> 
>> Senior Consultant, President Dalar International Consultancy, Inc
>> 
>> Founder Genuine Contact Program
>> . Co-owner Genuine
>> Contact Co-owners Group, I 
>> nc
>>
>> *Learn with us for your skill and capacity development for leading and
>> working in the new leadership paradigm "Leading So People Will Lead"*
>>
>> *Mentoring Circles & Mastermind Groups* | December 13, 2019 | Online
>> *Achieving Organizational Health & Balance* | February 21 & 28, 2020 |
>> Online
>> *Strategic Planning the Genuine Contact Way* | March 20, 27 & April 3,
>> 2020 | Online
>> *Holistic Leadership Development *| April 15-20, 2020 | Waterloo, Canada
>> *Whole Person Process Facilitation* | April 24, May 1 & 8, 2020 | Online
>> *Genuine Contact Organization/Summer Academy 2020 *| July 3-10, 2020 |
>> Waterloo, Canada
>>
>> >> Learn More & Register
>>  for any of these
>> workshops here.
>>
>>
>> PO Box 19373, Raleigh, NC, USA 27613
>> Phone: 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Jake Yeager via OSList]

This was such a rich thread. Thank you all for sharing.

My "understanding" of OST and the facilitator's role deepens the more I
engage in spiritual practices.

At some point I imagine the notion of "me" as an "OST facilitator" will
also fall away. Then, I am fully present--hell, I AM the present. :) Or
just I AM. And the notion of the "group" falls away too.

Much love all

Jake


When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again, and
you will be free of problems.
 - Robert Adams 


On Mon, Feb 10, 2020 at 1:03 PM Thomas Perret via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> Birgitt,
>
> Awesome, thank you!
>
> Kindly,
> Thomas
>
>
> On 10 Feb 2020, at 17.40, Birgitt Williams via OSList <
> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
> Hi Thomas,
> My perspective about OST started because I was in a senior staff position,
> accountable for the performance of my organization, when I introduced OST
> into the organization and paid a lot of attention to what worked and what
> didn't over time. My perspective is added to by my choice to work
> predominantly in helping organizations transform. My use of OST is within
> intact organizations and multiple OST meetings are always part of our
> transformation process. The best I can offer on the list is my perspective
> from my own experience.
>
> Most important is that every person who facilitates OST has an
> understanding of the form of OST, and their own chosen concept of what the
> essence is. What is this thing referred to as 'space', what is meant by
> 'open' and then 'open space'. From a personal understanding comes a
> personal perspective of what it is to open space and hold space, if those
> words suit the person. It is a personal journey. I have come to understand
> that it is more about the persona/leadership development of the facilitator
> over time than about anything else. It is a way to learn to be the change
> you want to see in the world.
>
> The decisions about what to do and not do come from this understanding and
> the associated perspective that develops. I have a perspective that is
> uniquely mine, although I have set teachings from my perspective out into
> the word in our Working with Open Space Technology module of the Genuine
> Contact program. In turn, every GC trainer shares via their own unique
> perspective.
>
> Thank you for noticing,
> in genuine contact,
> Birgitt
>
>
> *Birgitt Williams*
> *Supporting You in Developing Your Leadership*
> Author,The Genuine Contact Way: Nourishing a Culture of Leadership
> 
> Senior Consultant, President Dalar International Consultancy, Inc
> 
> Founder Genuine Contact Program
> . Co-owner Genuine
> Contact Co-owners Group, I nc
>
> *Learn with us for your skill and capacity development for leading and
> working in the new leadership paradigm "Leading So People Will Lead"*
>
> *Mentoring Circles & Mastermind Groups* | December 13, 2019 | Online
> *Achieving Organizational Health & Balance* | February 21 & 28, 2020 |
> Online
> *Strategic Planning the Genuine Contact Way* | March 20, 27 & April 3,
> 2020 | Online
> *Holistic Leadership Development *| April 15-20, 2020 | Waterloo, Canada
> *Whole Person Process Facilitation* | April 24, May 1 & 8, 2020 | Online
> *Genuine Contact Organization/Summer Academy 2020 *| July 3-10, 2020 |
> Waterloo, Canada
>
> >> Learn More & Register
>  for any of these
> workshops here.
>
>
> PO Box 19373, Raleigh, NC, USA 27613
> Phone: 01-919-522-7750
>
>
> On Mon, Feb 10, 2020 at 5:22 AM Thomas Perret  wrote:
>
>> Hi Birgitt and Michael,
>>
>> Reading your responses to the question about holding space, I see a
>> possible difference in approach to space invaders and would like to hear
>> more.
>>
>> You, Birgitt, stressed that dealing with space invaders is the job of the
>> facilitator and you added - not the participants’. Which makes me think you
>> consider this important. Whereas you, Michael, wrote that you might wait a
>> moment and then sometimes the participants themselves deal with it.
>>
>> Will you tell me from your viewpoints what you consider beneficial with
>> your approach?
>>
>> Kind regards,
>> Thomas
>>
>>
>> ___
>>
>> All is possible together
>>
>> On 10 Feb 2020, at 2.17, Birgitt Williams via OSList <
>> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>>
>> The sponsor opens the space in their organization.
>> The facilitator has the privilege of opening the space for people to get
>> in touch with what they are passionate about. The facilitator is very
>> controlling when doing so, not allowing any space invaders to sabotage the
>> creation of the container.
>> The facilitator does their work of making sure that space invaders don't
>> derail the experience. This 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Thomas Perret via OSList]

Birgitt,

Awesome, thank you!

Kindly,
Thomas


> On 10 Feb 2020, at 17.40, Birgitt Williams via OSList 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi Thomas,
> My perspective about OST started because I was in a senior staff position, 
> accountable for the performance of my organization, when I introduced OST 
> into the organization and paid a lot of attention to what worked and what 
> didn't over time. My perspective is added to by my choice to work 
> predominantly in helping organizations transform. My use of OST is within 
> intact organizations and multiple OST meetings are always part of our 
> transformation process. The best I can offer on the list is my perspective 
> from my own experience.
> 
> Most important is that every person who facilitates OST has an understanding 
> of the form of OST, and their own chosen concept of what the essence is. What 
> is this thing referred to as 'space', what is meant by 'open' and then 'open 
> space'. From a personal understanding comes a personal perspective of what it 
> is to open space and hold space, if those words suit the person. It is a 
> personal journey. I have come to understand that it is more about the 
> persona/leadership development of the facilitator over time than about 
> anything else. It is a way to learn to be the change you want to see in the 
> world.
> 
> The decisions about what to do and not do come from this understanding and 
> the associated perspective that develops. I have a perspective that is 
> uniquely mine, although I have set teachings from my perspective out into the 
> word in our Working with Open Space Technology module of the Genuine Contact 
> program. In turn, every GC trainer shares via their own unique perspective.
> 
> Thank you for noticing,
> in genuine contact,
> Birgitt
> 
> 
> Birgitt Williams
> Supporting You in Developing Your Leadership
> Author,The Genuine Contact Way: Nourishing a Culture of Leadership  
> 
> Senior Consultant, President Dalar International Consultancy, Inc 
> 
> Founder Genuine Contact Program 
> . Co-owner Genuine Contact 
> Co-owners Group, I nc
> 
> Learn with us for your skill and capacity development for leading and working 
> in the new leadership paradigm "Leading So People Will Lead"
> 
> Mentoring Circles & Mastermind Groups | December 13, 2019 | Online
> Achieving Organizational Health & Balance | February 21 & 28, 2020 | Online
> Strategic Planning the Genuine Contact Way | March 20, 27 & April 3, 2020 | 
> Online
> Holistic Leadership Development | April 15-20, 2020 | Waterloo, Canada
> Whole Person Process Facilitation | April 24, May 1 & 8, 2020 | Online
> Genuine Contact Organization/Summer Academy 2020 | July 3-10, 2020 | 
> Waterloo, Canada
> 
> >> Learn More & Register 
> >>  for any of these 
> >> workshops here.
> 
> 
> 
> PO Box 19373, Raleigh, NC, USA 27613
> Phone: 01-919-522-7750
> 
> 
> On Mon, Feb 10, 2020 at 5:22 AM Thomas Perret  > wrote:
> Hi Birgitt and Michael,
> 
> Reading your responses to the question about holding space, I see a possible 
> difference in approach to space invaders and would like to hear more. 
> 
> You, Birgitt, stressed that dealing with space invaders is the job of the 
> facilitator and you added - not the participants’. Which makes me think you 
> consider this important. Whereas you, Michael, wrote that you might wait a 
> moment and then sometimes the participants themselves deal with it.
> 
> Will you tell me from your viewpoints what you consider beneficial with your 
> approach? 
> 
> Kind regards,
> Thomas 
> 
> 
> ___
> 
> All is possible together
> 
> On 10 Feb 2020, at 2.17, Birgitt Williams via OSList 
> mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org>> 
> wrote:
> 
>> The sponsor opens the space in their organization.
>> The facilitator has the privilege of opening the space for people to get in 
>> touch with what they are passionate about. The facilitator is very 
>> controlling when doing so, not allowing any space invaders to sabotage the 
>> creation of the container.
>> The facilitator does their work of making sure that space invaders don't 
>> derail the experience. This is not the job of the participants. It is the 
>> job of the facilitator.
>> The facilitator does whatever they think is the holding of space, each to 
>> their own interpretation of what this is, and above all avoids becoming a 
>> space invader him/her self.
>> 
>> in genuine contact,
>> heart to heart space,
>> Birgitt
>> 
>> Birgitt Williams
>> Supporting You in Developing Your Leadership
>> Author,The Genuine Contact Way: Nourishing a Culture of Leadership  
>> 
>> Senior Consultant, President Dalar International Consultancy, Inc 
>> 
>> Founder Genuine 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Harrison Owen via OSList]

Long, long ago I described Holding Space as being “totally present and 
absolutely invisible.” A paradox for sure, but that is my experience. With a 
little practice and intention you can be totally immersed in the group and be 
miles away. Don’t ask me how that happens…I don’t have a clue – or at least any 
sort of useful clue for the situation. But it does happen and I have 35 years 
of experience… which proves little except possibly that I am nuttier than the 
next guy. On a slightly more serious note some bright soul computed that 95% of 
all communication is non-verbal. How she/he arrived at that figure, I don’t 
know, but it works for me. It seems to me that (often) 100% of facilitation is 
verbal. I think there might be a conflict somewhere? Could it not be the case 
that in our attempt to facilitate communication we in fact get in the way? 

 

I assume that your AVP doesn’t have any children? If she did would know all 
about “eyes in back of the head” Every woman’s got them, and I am sure that my 
Mother had at least 4 pairsJ Men seem to be a little bit impaired in the 
department, but they can learn (or un-learn as the case may be.)

 

ho

 

From: OSList [mailto:oslist-boun...@lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Jake 
Yeager via OSList
Sent: Saturday, February 8, 2020 1:45 PM
To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
Cc: Jake Yeager
Subject: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

 

Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)

 

This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across two 
half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team, of which I am 
a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had recently merged with 
another group, and there was lack of clarity. So, our theme was: "Who are we, 
and how do we collaborate to drive success?" Also, my AVP--who is a leader in 
Learning & Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order to understand 
it better as it is new to my firm.

 

Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the breakout 
sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to make sure that I 
provided the best experience for everyone, and participating would have 
dampened my focus. I shared this with my manager, after she inquired after the 
first day why I had not participated.

 

Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I 
facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was working, 
and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the facilitator's role is to 
remain "invisible" to allow the group to build its capacity for 
self-management. She said that our firm's culture is very hierarchical and that 
"baby steps" are needed. She suggested even intervening in a group if it gets 
"stuck." I believe I mentioned that intervening is not part of Open Space 
facilitation. 

 

So my question is: how do you "hold space?" I found Chris's description on his 
website: "an Open Space Technology facilitator is neither seen nor heard, but 
his or her presence is 'felt.'" I guess by going for long walks and not being 
in the room, my presence was not "felt." One of my colleagues provided feedback 
that by not being there, it didn't seem like I cared. This is definitely not 
the case. I went on long walks as an act of love, not negligence. 

 

Anyway, would love your thoughts.

 

Thanks,

Jake




 

When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again, and you 
will be free of problems.

 - Robert Adams  

___
OSList mailing list
To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Past archives can be viewed here: 
http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Birgitt Williams via OSList]

Hi Thomas,
My perspective about OST started because I was in a senior staff position,
accountable for the performance of my organization, when I introduced OST
into the organization and paid a lot of attention to what worked and what
didn't over time. My perspective is added to by my choice to work
predominantly in helping organizations transform. My use of OST is within
intact organizations and multiple OST meetings are always part of our
transformation process. The best I can offer on the list is my perspective
from my own experience.

Most important is that every person who facilitates OST has an
understanding of the form of OST, and their own chosen concept of what the
essence is. What is this thing referred to as 'space', what is meant by
'open' and then 'open space'. From a personal understanding comes a
personal perspective of what it is to open space and hold space, if those
words suit the person. It is a personal journey. I have come to understand
that it is more about the persona/leadership development of the facilitator
over time than about anything else. It is a way to learn to be the change
you want to see in the world.

The decisions about what to do and not do come from this understanding and
the associated perspective that develops. I have a perspective that is
uniquely mine, although I have set teachings from my perspective out into
the word in our Working with Open Space Technology module of the Genuine
Contact program. In turn, every GC trainer shares via their own unique
perspective.

Thank you for noticing,
in genuine contact,
Birgitt


*Birgitt Williams*
*Supporting You in Developing Your Leadership*
Author,The Genuine Contact Way: Nourishing a Culture of Leadership

Senior Consultant, President Dalar International Consultancy, Inc

Founder Genuine Contact Program
. Co-owner Genuine
Contact Co-owners Group, I nc

*Learn with us for your skill and capacity development for leading and
working in the new leadership paradigm "Leading So People Will Lead"*

*Mentoring Circles & Mastermind Groups* | December 13, 2019 | Online
*Achieving Organizational Health & Balance* | February 21 & 28, 2020 |
Online
*Strategic Planning the Genuine Contact Way* | March 20, 27 & April 3, 2020
| Online
*Holistic Leadership Development *| April 15-20, 2020 | Waterloo, Canada
*Whole Person Process Facilitation* | April 24, May 1 & 8, 2020 | Online
*Genuine Contact Organization/Summer Academy 2020 *| July 3-10, 2020 |
Waterloo, Canada

>> Learn More & Register
 for any of these
workshops here.


PO Box 19373, Raleigh, NC, USA 27613
Phone: 01-919-522-7750


On Mon, Feb 10, 2020 at 5:22 AM Thomas Perret  wrote:

> Hi Birgitt and Michael,
>
> Reading your responses to the question about holding space, I see a
> possible difference in approach to space invaders and would like to hear
> more.
>
> You, Birgitt, stressed that dealing with space invaders is the job of the
> facilitator and you added - not the participants’. Which makes me think you
> consider this important. Whereas you, Michael, wrote that you might wait a
> moment and then sometimes the participants themselves deal with it.
>
> Will you tell me from your viewpoints what you consider beneficial with
> your approach?
>
> Kind regards,
> Thomas
>
>
> ___
>
> All is possible together
>
> On 10 Feb 2020, at 2.17, Birgitt Williams via OSList <
> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
> The sponsor opens the space in their organization.
> The facilitator has the privilege of opening the space for people to get
> in touch with what they are passionate about. The facilitator is very
> controlling when doing so, not allowing any space invaders to sabotage the
> creation of the container.
> The facilitator does their work of making sure that space invaders don't
> derail the experience. This is not the job of the participants. It is the
> job of the facilitator.
> The facilitator does whatever they think is the holding of space, each to
> their own interpretation of what this is, and above all avoids becoming a
> space invader him/her self.
>
> in genuine contact,
> heart to heart space,
> Birgitt
>
> *Birgitt Williams*
> *Supporting You in Developing Your Leadership*
> Author,The Genuine Contact Way: Nourishing a Culture of Leadership
> 
> Senior Consultant, President Dalar International Consultancy, Inc
> 
> Founder Genuine Contact Program
> . Co-owner Genuine
> Contact Co-owners Group, I nc
>
> *Learn with us for your skill and capacity development for leading and
> working in the new leadership paradigm "Leading So People Will Lead"*
>
> *Mentoring Circles & Mastermind 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Rolf F. Katzenberger via OSList]

That made my day, by both being good advice and quite funny - thank you,
Michael! :-)

Rolf

--
«If it works, it's right.» | «Richtig ist, was funktioniert.»
https://www.pragmatic-teams.com | https://www.pragmatic-teams.de
https://fromthebackoftheroom.training | https://fromthebackoftheroom.training/de

Michael Herman via OSList schrieb am 10.02.20 um 00:46:
> So you might be working too hard with the belly signs!
___
OSList mailing list
To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Past archives can be viewed here: 
http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Birgitt Williams via OSList]

The sponsor opens the space in their organization.
The facilitator has the privilege of opening the space for people to get in
touch with what they are passionate about. The facilitator is very
controlling when doing so, not allowing any space invaders to sabotage the
creation of the container.
The facilitator does their work of making sure that space invaders don't
derail the experience. This is not the job of the participants. It is the
job of the facilitator.
The facilitator does whatever they think is the holding of space, each to
their own interpretation of what this is, and above all avoids becoming a
space invader him/her self.

in genuine contact,
heart to heart space,
Birgitt

*Birgitt Williams*
*Supporting You in Developing Your Leadership*
Author,The Genuine Contact Way: Nourishing a Culture of Leadership

Senior Consultant, President Dalar International Consultancy, Inc

Founder Genuine Contact Program
. Co-owner Genuine
Contact Co-owners Group, I nc

*Learn with us for your skill and capacity development for leading and
working in the new leadership paradigm "Leading So People Will Lead"*

*Mentoring Circles & Mastermind Groups* | December 13, 2019 | Online
*Achieving Organizational Health & Balance* | February 21 & 28, 2020 |
Online
*Strategic Planning the Genuine Contact Way* | March 20, 27 & April 3, 2020
| Online
*Holistic Leadership Development *| April 15-20, 2020 | Waterloo, Canada
*Whole Person Process Facilitation* | April 24, May 1 & 8, 2020 | Online
*Genuine Contact Organization/Summer Academy 2020 *| July 3-10, 2020 |
Waterloo, Canada

>> Learn More & Register
 for any of these
workshops here.


PO Box 19373, Raleigh, NC, USA 27613
Phone: 01-919-522-7750


On Sun, Feb 9, 2020 at 6:40 PM Michael M Pannwitz via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> Dear Jake and you others, (after finishing this piece I suggest you
> first get yourself a cup of coffee or other beverage you cherish, find a
> couch and take a little time to read this lengthy piece)
>
> I as facilitator will increasingly get into the mode of "total presence
> and absolute invisibility" by reflection. As I inch up, or millimeter
> up, in this regard the easier does it get to hold "time and space".
>
> Now, this is both more than rocket science as well as simple. However,
> and this is the tough part, not easy.
> After pushing myself in the early years of my practice I eventually
> realized that "total presence and absolute invisibility" requires
> life-long attention and learning. As does holding time and space. Both
> are part of this. And if you start with OST late in life, as I did at
> the age of 56 and three decades of OD and related stuff behind me, its
> mainly a lot of un-learning.
>
> Okay, here are some of the things I reflect on... best with others right
> during an ost event (I actually plan timeslots for this in the agenda
> the team has for itself):
>
> --- Being unattached to outcome and not getting involved in content is a
> prerequisite for having the high energy required for attaining the mode
> of "present and invisible." (I think it was HO who tells the story of
> being asked by someone during an OST event about apparently doing
> nothing... and him responding with "Doing nothing is what I get paid
> for.").
> --- One thing I can arrange for and reflect on before getting into a
> facilitator situtation, is not to facilitate an ost event in a situation
> that I have stakes in (like in my own organisation).
> One practice tested way is to help oneself and other facilitators in
> this regard is to arrange for a "rain check" system: I work as
> facilitator without pay in your organisation and you in turn work as
> facilitator without pay in mine. That allows us in each case to be fully
> participant in a setting we have stakes in. And for lots of learning.
> Which happens easily in sustainably reflecting my practice.
> --- One more thing I can arrange for once it is clear that I am
> facilitator in a specific event is to have an assistant who supports me
> in doing nothing and reminds me to stay out of the way. (This reminds me
> of a story about one of the Ceasars in Rome who hired someone to quietly
> tell him that he is not God when everyone adored, admired, fell on his
> knews before him.) The assistant, in turn, has a team to take care of
> all the nitty-gritty stuff around setting up the event and caring for
> the event without being space invadors.
>
> --- What is central to my role as facilitator in regard to
> "holding/expanding time and space for the unfolding of the force of
> selforganisation"?
> OST has this as its central characteristic. I know of no
> approach/method/process/etc. that has "holding/expanding time and space
> for the unfolding of the force of 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Michael Herman via OSList]

You remind me, Rolf, that one of my favorite things is when the sponsor,
having seen the group do several amazing, previously unthinkable things,
clearing every imagined hurdle, comes to me near lunch time and asks if
they shouldn’t go around and tell the groups about lunch. I love to suggest
that they just get something for themselves, take a bite, and walk through
the space chewing. To me it’s a great moment of learning how easy
leadership can be!  So you might be working too hard with the belly signs!



On Sun, Feb 9, 2020 at 16:39 Michael M Pannwitz via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> Dear Jake and you others, (after finishing this piece I suggest you
> first get yourself a cup of coffee or other beverage you cherish, find a
> couch and take a little time to read this lengthy piece)
>
> I as facilitator will increasingly get into the mode of "total presence
> and absolute invisibility" by reflection. As I inch up, or millimeter
> up, in this regard the easier does it get to hold "time and space".
>
> Now, this is both more than rocket science as well as simple. However,
> and this is the tough part, not easy.
> After pushing myself in the early years of my practice I eventually
> realized that "total presence and absolute invisibility" requires
> life-long attention and learning. As does holding time and space. Both
> are part of this. And if you start with OST late in life, as I did at
> the age of 56 and three decades of OD and related stuff behind me, its
> mainly a lot of un-learning.
>
> Okay, here are some of the things I reflect on... best with others right
> during an ost event (I actually plan timeslots for this in the agenda
> the team has for itself):
>
> --- Being unattached to outcome and not getting involved in content is a
> prerequisite for having the high energy required for attaining the mode
> of "present and invisible." (I think it was HO who tells the story of
> being asked by someone during an OST event about apparently doing
> nothing... and him responding with "Doing nothing is what I get paid
> for.").
> --- One thing I can arrange for and reflect on before getting into a
> facilitator situtation, is not to facilitate an ost event in a situation
> that I have stakes in (like in my own organisation).
> One practice tested way is to help oneself and other facilitators in
> this regard is to arrange for a "rain check" system: I work as
> facilitator without pay in your organisation and you in turn work as
> facilitator without pay in mine. That allows us in each case to be fully
> participant in a setting we have stakes in. And for lots of learning.
> Which happens easily in sustainably reflecting my practice.
> --- One more thing I can arrange for once it is clear that I am
> facilitator in a specific event is to have an assistant who supports me
> in doing nothing and reminds me to stay out of the way. (This reminds me
> of a story about one of the Ceasars in Rome who hired someone to quietly
> tell him that he is not God when everyone adored, admired, fell on his
> knews before him.) The assistant, in turn, has a team to take care of
> all the nitty-gritty stuff around setting up the event and caring for
> the event without being space invadors.
>
> --- What is central to my role as facilitator in regard to
> "holding/expanding time and space for the unfolding of the force of
> selforganisation"?
> OST has this as its central characteristic. I know of no
> approach/method/process/etc. that has "holding/expanding time and space
> for the unfolding of the force of selforganisation" as its central
> characteristic. It is unique to OST. This I think is also one of the
> reasons why it always works, appears familiar to everyone once they get
> into it, is effective in all cultures, etc.
> As is often told, there is really only one effective way to reduce the
> unhampered unfolding of the  force of selforganisation: Control.  Mind
> you, the force of selforganisation does not appear completely (this, I
> think would stop everything, the universe would disapper). It can get
> very tiny, but its there... an organisation or a group or a neighborhood
> would not be unless the force is still active. The way, it often shows
> itself, is in the "informal" part of a system that is used by everyone
> to make things work. It can also rest in the "informal" leaders in a
> neighborhood that Saul Alinski, among other things, looked for in
> working with communities.
> --- So, all situations, tempting as they may be, in which I exert
> control are counterproductive for the central characteristic of OST.
> "Control" can be around little things that I intuitively do in
> situations where I feel I need to step in: Walk up to the Bulletin Board
> to pick up an issue-poster that got unstuck and put it back in it place.
> A bit more control might be my suggestion that no issue needs to be put
> up more than once. And even more control is active when I proclaim that
> a certain issue 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Michael M Pannwitz via OSList]

Dear Jake and you others, (after finishing this piece I suggest you 
first get yourself a cup of coffee or other beverage you cherish, find a 
couch and take a little time to read this lengthy piece)


I as facilitator will increasingly get into the mode of "total presence 
and absolute invisibility" by reflection. As I inch up, or millimeter 
up, in this regard the easier does it get to hold "time and space".


Now, this is both more than rocket science as well as simple. However, 
and this is the tough part, not easy.
After pushing myself in the early years of my practice I eventually 
realized that "total presence and absolute invisibility" requires 
life-long attention and learning. As does holding time and space. Both 
are part of this. And if you start with OST late in life, as I did at 
the age of 56 and three decades of OD and related stuff behind me, its 
mainly a lot of un-learning.


Okay, here are some of the things I reflect on... best with others right 
during an ost event (I actually plan timeslots for this in the agenda 
the team has for itself):


--- Being unattached to outcome and not getting involved in content is a 
prerequisite for having the high energy required for attaining the mode 
of "present and invisible." (I think it was HO who tells the story of 
being asked by someone during an OST event about apparently doing 
nothing... and him responding with "Doing nothing is what I get paid for.").
--- One thing I can arrange for and reflect on before getting into a 
facilitator situtation, is not to facilitate an ost event in a situation 
that I have stakes in (like in my own organisation).
One practice tested way is to help oneself and other facilitators in 
this regard is to arrange for a "rain check" system: I work as 
facilitator without pay in your organisation and you in turn work as 
facilitator without pay in mine. That allows us in each case to be fully 
participant in a setting we have stakes in. And for lots of learning. 
Which happens easily in sustainably reflecting my practice.
--- One more thing I can arrange for once it is clear that I am 
facilitator in a specific event is to have an assistant who supports me 
in doing nothing and reminds me to stay out of the way. (This reminds me 
of a story about one of the Ceasars in Rome who hired someone to quietly 
tell him that he is not God when everyone adored, admired, fell on his 
knews before him.) The assistant, in turn, has a team to take care of 
all the nitty-gritty stuff around setting up the event and caring for 
the event without being space invadors.


--- What is central to my role as facilitator in regard to 
"holding/expanding time and space for the unfolding of the force of 
selforganisation"?
OST has this as its central characteristic. I know of no 
approach/method/process/etc. that has "holding/expanding time and space 
for the unfolding of the force of selforganisation" as its central 
characteristic. It is unique to OST. This I think is also one of the 
reasons why it always works, appears familiar to everyone once they get 
into it, is effective in all cultures, etc.
As is often told, there is really only one effective way to reduce the 
unhampered unfolding of the  force of selforganisation: Control.  Mind 
you, the force of selforganisation does not appear completely (this, I 
think would stop everything, the universe would disapper). It can get 
very tiny, but its there... an organisation or a group or a neighborhood 
would not be unless the force is still active. The way, it often shows 
itself, is in the "informal" part of a system that is used by everyone 
to make things work. It can also rest in the "informal" leaders in a 
neighborhood that Saul Alinski, among other things, looked for in 
working with communities.
--- So, all situations, tempting as they may be, in which I exert 
control are counterproductive for the central characteristic of OST. 
"Control" can be around little things that I intuitively do in 
situations where I feel I need to step in: Walk up to the Bulletin Board 
to pick up an issue-poster that got unstuck and put it back in it place. 
A bit more control might be my suggestion that no issue needs to be put 
up more than once. And even more control is active when I proclaim that 
a certain issue has nothing to do with the overall Theme of the event.
--- Being fully present for me is also a prerequisite for dealing with 
space invadors. There are no recipies for this. One thing that helps me 
is to start counting before I address the space invasion. Most often a 
fellow participant will speak to this before I reach 6. For me, this has 
nothing to do with "trusting" the group. I prefer to say that I know 
groups will handle stuff like this all by themselves. If they are let. 
Sometimes in the early part of the ost event a participant will walk up 
to me and request that I come to a break-out session that has problems 
with the issue or the process. The first time I was 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Royle, Karl via OSList]

I was Ona less course recently and one of the scrum master attributes was 
actively doing nothing... you could go further and look at Derrida... concept 
of absent presence

And conversely

Present by their absence

Sent by iPhone
Karl Royle
Head of Enterprise and Commercial Development

Faculty of Education Health and Wellbeing
University of Wolverhampton
01902323006
07815416698
@karlroyle. On Twitter
Karlr61 Skype


On 9 Feb 2020, at 16:09, gerardo de luzenberger via OSList 
 wrote:


HI Jake.
I always leave the room right after closing the opening session. I am normally 
away for some time - depending on the size of the event.
The biggest it is, the less I am away. Once back most of the time I am focusing 
on keeping the space clean and in order, which means collecting cups and 
glasses, moving chairs, caring for break out spaces when there's a change in 
the sessions, doing this sort of thing. I walk a lot, always avoiding to get 
involved in any group conversation. Sometimes I chat with butterflies.
greetings from Milano
ge




[https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/15965924525_4d08bb3a24_o.png]



Office: Via A. Volta 6 - 20121 Milano – Italy
Phone: +39 3293281343 -Fax: +39 02 87151318 - Skype: gerardodeluz
x...@loci.it - 
www.loci.it

[https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download=0B8_beGvqSl8-ZHAzRXY0T09WMzA=0B8_beGvqSl8-dDF4TlBxeTZ5cDIzQk5PWWREaGxSdmVDRVhVPQ]



Please consider the environment before deciding to print this e-mail
This e-mail (and any attachment(s)) is strictly confidential and for use only 
by intended recipient(s). If you are not an intended recipient(s), please 
notify it via e-mail 
ati...@loci.it
 promptly


Il giorno dom 9 feb 2020 alle ore 05:51 Chris Corrigan via OSList 
mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org>> ha 
scritto:
Harrison has described as being “totally invisible but completely present.”  I 
rarely leave the room. But I also never intervene. If asked to help I respond 
with “what would you like to do? Why don’t you take care of it?” It’s about 
radical return of passion and responsibility to the people. It is indeed risky. 
But the reward is immense.

Chris.

_
CHRIS CORRIGAN
www.chriscorrigan.com

On Feb 8, 2020, at 12:45 PM, Jake Yeager via OSList 
mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:


Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)

This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across two 
half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team, of which I am 
a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had recently merged with 
another group, and there was lack of clarity. So, our theme was: "Who are we, 
and how do we collaborate to drive success?" Also, my AVP--who is a leader in 
Learning & Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order to understand 
it better as it is new to my firm.

Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the breakout 
sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to make sure that I 
provided the best experience for everyone, and participating would have 
dampened my focus. I shared this with my manager, after she inquired after the 
first day why I had not participated.

Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I 
facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was working, 
and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the facilitator's 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[gerardo de luzenberger via OSList]

HI Jake.
I always leave the room right after closing the opening session. I am
normally away for some time - depending on the size of the event.
The biggest it is, the less I am away. Once back most of the time I am
focusing on keeping the space clean and in order, which means collecting
cups and glasses, moving chairs, caring for break out spaces when there's a
change in the sessions, doing this sort of thing. I walk a lot, always
avoiding to get involved in any group conversation. Sometimes I chat with
butterflies.
greetings from Milano
ge






Office: Via A. Volta 6 - 20121 Milano – Italy
Phone: +39 3293281343 -Fax: +39 02 87151318 - Skype: gerardodeluz
*x...@loci.it * - *www.loci.it  *




*Please consider the environment before deciding to print this e-mail*
This e-mail (and any attachment(s)) is strictly confidential and for use
only by intended recipient(s). If you are not an intended recipient(s),
please notify it via e-mail ati...@loci.it
 promptly



Il giorno dom 9 feb 2020 alle ore 05:51 Chris Corrigan via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> ha scritto:

> Harrison has described as being “totally invisible but completely
> present.”  I rarely leave the room. But I also never intervene. If asked to
> help I respond with “what would you like to do? Why don’t you take care of
> it?” It’s about radical return of passion and responsibility to the people.
> It is indeed risky. But the reward is immense.
>
> Chris.
>
> _
> CHRIS CORRIGAN
> www.chriscorrigan.com
>
> On Feb 8, 2020, at 12:45 PM, Jake Yeager via OSList <
> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
> 
> Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)
>
> This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across two
> half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team, of which
> I am a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had recently merged
> with another group, and there was lack of clarity. So, our theme was: "Who
> are we, and how do we collaborate to drive success?" Also, my AVP--who is a
> leader in Learning & Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order
> to understand it better as it is new to my firm.
>
> Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the
> breakout sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to make
> sure that I provided the best experience for everyone, and participating
> would have dampened my focus. I shared this with my manager, after she
> inquired after the first day why I had not participated.
>
> Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I
> facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was
> working, and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the
> facilitator's role is to remain "invisible" to allow the group to build its
> capacity for self-management. She said that our firm's culture is very
> hierarchical and that "baby steps" are needed. She suggested even
> intervening in a group if it gets "stuck." I believe I mentioned that
> intervening is not part of Open Space facilitation.
>
> So my question is: how do you "hold space?" I found Chris's description on
> his website: "an Open Space Technology facilitator is neither seen nor
> heard, but his or her presence is 'felt.'" I guess by going for long walks
> and not being in the room, my presence was not "felt." One of my colleagues
> provided feedback that by not being there, it didn't seem like I cared.
> This is definitely not the case. I went on long walks as an act of love,
> not negligence.
>
> Anyway, would love your thoughts.
>
> Thanks,
> Jake
> 
>
> When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again, and
> you will be free of problems.
>  - Robert Adams 
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
> Past archives can be viewed here:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
>
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
> Past archives can be viewed here:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
___
OSList mailing list
To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
To unsubscribe send an email to 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Rolf F. Katzenberger via OSList]

I'm in the room, most of the time, unless I get a feeling that I'm
getting "asked too much" with respect to organizing things. (My answer
is anyway "what would you like to happen?")

Apart from that, I'm wearing subdued colors (amazingly effective) and
avoid direct eye contact, listening more than "scanning" the environment
with my eyes. Since I'm not in a hurry or busy, I guess I'm walking
around the space in slow-mo.  I love galleries and other spots where I
see the metaphorical forest, instead of the trees. IMHO, minor
interventions that are not directly related to the process do not hurt,
e.g. closing a door when some obnoxious noise is coming from outside, or
asking the venue staff to refill beverage stands or replenish coffee.

I also do the famous collect-some-empty-cups walk and pick up some
garbage when I see it, but mostly because I am passing by anyway and it
feels meditative to me, not nanny-like. During an open space, I never
make "announcements"; the most intrusive thing I do is to stick large
PostIts to my belly and my back that say "15 minutes until lunch/closing
circle" (those who want or need to see it, see it).

Rolf

--
«If it works, it's right.» | «Richtig ist, was funktioniert.»
https://www.pragmatic-teams.com | https://www.pragmatic-teams.de
https://fromthebackoftheroom.training | https://fromthebackoftheroom.training/de

Jake Yeager via OSList schrieb am 08.02.20 um 19:44:
> Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)
>
> This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across
> two half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team,
> of which I am a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had
> recently merged with another group, and there was lack of clarity. So,
> our theme was: "Who are we, and how do we collaborate to drive
> success?" Also, my AVP--who is a leader in Learning &
> Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order to understand it
> better as it is new to my firm.
>
> Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the
> breakout sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to
> make sure that I provided the best experience for everyone, and
> participating would have dampened my focus. I shared this with my
> manager, after she inquired after the first day why I had not
> participated.
>
> Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I
> facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was
> working, and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the
> facilitator's role is to remain "invisible" to allow the group to
> build its capacity for self-management. She said that our firm's
> culture is very hierarchical and that "baby steps" are needed. She
> suggested even intervening in a group if it gets "stuck." I believe I
> mentioned that intervening is not part of Open Space facilitation. 
>
> So my question is: how do you "hold space?" I found Chris's
> description on his website: "an Open Space Technology facilitator is
> neither seen nor heard, but his or her presence is 'felt.'" I guess by
> going for long walks and not being in the room, my presence was not
> "felt." One of my colleagues provided feedback that by not being
> there, it didn't seem like I cared. This is definitely not the case. I
> went on long walks as an act of love, not negligence. 
>
> Anyway, would love your thoughts.
>
> Thanks,
> Jake
> 
>
> When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again,
> and you will be free of problems.
>  - Robert Adams 
>
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
> Past archives can be viewed here: 
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
___
OSList mailing list
To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Past archives can be viewed here: 
http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Thomas Perret via OSList]

Hi Jake,

I’m thinking of your insidership and your existing relationships to and in the 
team and that you might be considered as more than a pure facilitator. I come 
to think of Dee Hock’s advice to devote – in addition to devoting 50% of all 
efforts to manage self –

25% to manage superiors (“Without their consent and support, how can we follow 
conviction, exercise judgment, use creative ability, achieve constructive 
results or create conditions by which others can do the same?”), 

20% to manage peers (“Without their respect and confidence little or nothing 
can be accomplished. Our environment and peers can make a small heaven or hell 
of our life.”)

(and only the rest 5% to subordinates, which is closest to the standard 
facilitator’s  focus of – “introduce them to the concept, induce them to 
practice it, and enjoy the process.”)

Kindly,
Thomas

___

All is possible together

On 8 Feb 2020, at 20.44, Jake Yeager via OSList mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:

> Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)
> 
> This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across two 
> half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team, of which I 
> am a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had recently merged with 
> another group, and there was lack of clarity. So, our theme was: "Who are we, 
> and how do we collaborate to drive success?" Also, my AVP--who is a leader in 
> Learning & Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order to 
> understand it better as it is new to my firm.
> 
> Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the 
> breakout sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to make sure 
> that I provided the best experience for everyone, and participating would 
> have dampened my focus. I shared this with my manager, after she inquired 
> after the first day why I had not participated.
> 
> Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I 
> facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was working, 
> and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the facilitator's role is 
> to remain "invisible" to allow the group to build its capacity for 
> self-management. She said that our firm's culture is very hierarchical and 
> that "baby steps" are needed. She suggested even intervening in a group if it 
> gets "stuck." I believe I mentioned that intervening is not part of Open 
> Space facilitation. 
> 
> So my question is: how do you "hold space?" I found Chris's description on 
> his website: "an Open Space Technology facilitator is neither seen nor heard, 
> but his or her presence is 'felt.'" I guess by going for long walks and not 
> being in the room, my presence was not "felt." One of my colleagues provided 
> feedback that by not being there, it didn't seem like I cared. This is 
> definitely not the case. I went on long walks as an act of love, not 
> negligence. 
> 
> Anyway, would love your thoughts.
> 
> Thanks,
> Jake
> 
> 
> When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again, and you 
> will be free of problems.
>  - Robert Adams 
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org 
> 
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org 
> 
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org 
> 
> Past archives can be viewed here: 
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org 
> ___
OSList mailing list
To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Past archives can be viewed here: 
http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Michael Herman via OSList]

There is also the possibility of sitting in the sessions, when you're part
of the group.  Tricky in the first go-round though.  When I do sit in, I
tend not to say very much, as I'm having a very diff experience than
everyone else.  I don't sit in sessions during first or last sessions, so
they get started without me and i'm ready for closing or evening news.  But
for this it helps for the group to have at least one experience of OS and
it's another layer of pulsation of awareness for the facilitator, between
the group you're in and the rest of the field.

--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
312-280-7838 (mobile)

MichaelHerman.com
OpenSpaceWorld.org




On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 3:58 PM Jeff Aitken via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> Hi Jake. For me, to hold space is to attend to the field that extends
> beyond the center of the opening circle out to wherever participants are
> moving.
>
> Harrison's famous story is to be sitting at the hotel bar, while
> participants are following the law of mobility into breakouts and butterfly
> conversations around the grounds. Choosing your level of engagement is at
> the core of the law.
>
> It sounds like the feedback is to stay a bit closer to the center of the
> opening circle, so that the fact you are holding the field is more
> apparent. That's a practice in sensing the field.
>
> I often stay nearby for a while, then move away, then come back as the
> energy of the event turns toward closing.
>
> It also can take particular attention to hold space in an organization of
> which you are a member. If it seems ok for me to do it at all, I might also
> invite an outside cofacilitator who can notice subtle dynamics that i miss.
> Such as in the important transition after the OST into the daily work and
> dynamics of the organization.
>
> Jeff
> Telegraph Hill, San Francisco
>
> On Sat, Feb 8, 2020, 11:41 AM Chris Corrigan via OSList <
> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
>> Harrison has described as being “totally invisible but completely
>> present.”  I rarely leave the room. But I also never intervene. If asked to
>> help I respond with “what would you like to do? Why don’t you take care of
>> it?” It’s about radical return of passion and responsibility to the people.
>> It is indeed risky. But the reward is immense.
>>
>> Chris.
>>
>> _
>> CHRIS CORRIGAN
>> www.chriscorrigan.com
>>
>> On Feb 8, 2020, at 12:45 PM, Jake Yeager via OSList <
>> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)
>>
>> This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across two
>> half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team, of which
>> I am a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had recently merged
>> with another group, and there was lack of clarity. So, our theme was: "Who
>> are we, and how do we collaborate to drive success?" Also, my AVP--who is a
>> leader in Learning & Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order
>> to understand it better as it is new to my firm.
>>
>> Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the
>> breakout sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to make
>> sure that I provided the best experience for everyone, and participating
>> would have dampened my focus. I shared this with my manager, after she
>> inquired after the first day why I had not participated.
>>
>> Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I
>> facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was
>> working, and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the
>> facilitator's role is to remain "invisible" to allow the group to build its
>> capacity for self-management. She said that our firm's culture is very
>> hierarchical and that "baby steps" are needed. She suggested even
>> intervening in a group if it gets "stuck." I believe I mentioned that
>> intervening is not part of Open Space facilitation.
>>
>> So my question is: how do you "hold space?" I found Chris's description
>> on his website: "an Open Space Technology facilitator is neither seen nor
>> heard, but his or her presence is 'felt.'" I guess by going for long walks
>> and not being in the room, my presence was not "felt." One of my colleagues
>> provided feedback that by not being there, it didn't seem like I cared.
>> This is definitely not the case. I went on long walks as an act of love,
>> not negligence.
>>
>> Anyway, would love your thoughts.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Jake
>> 
>>
>> When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again, and
>> you will be free of problems.
>>  - Robert Adams 
>> ___
>> OSList mailing list
>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
>> To subscribe or manage your 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Jeff Aitken via OSList]

Hi Jake. For me, to hold space is to attend to the field that extends
beyond the center of the opening circle out to wherever participants are
moving.

Harrison's famous story is to be sitting at the hotel bar, while
participants are following the law of mobility into breakouts and butterfly
conversations around the grounds. Choosing your level of engagement is at
the core of the law.

It sounds like the feedback is to stay a bit closer to the center of the
opening circle, so that the fact you are holding the field is more
apparent. That's a practice in sensing the field.

I often stay nearby for a while, then move away, then come back as the
energy of the event turns toward closing.

It also can take particular attention to hold space in an organization of
which you are a member. If it seems ok for me to do it at all, I might also
invite an outside cofacilitator who can notice subtle dynamics that i miss.
Such as in the important transition after the OST into the daily work and
dynamics of the organization.

Jeff
Telegraph Hill, San Francisco

On Sat, Feb 8, 2020, 11:41 AM Chris Corrigan via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> Harrison has described as being “totally invisible but completely
> present.”  I rarely leave the room. But I also never intervene. If asked to
> help I respond with “what would you like to do? Why don’t you take care of
> it?” It’s about radical return of passion and responsibility to the people.
> It is indeed risky. But the reward is immense.
>
> Chris.
>
> _
> CHRIS CORRIGAN
> www.chriscorrigan.com
>
> On Feb 8, 2020, at 12:45 PM, Jake Yeager via OSList <
> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
> 
> Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)
>
> This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across two
> half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team, of which
> I am a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had recently merged
> with another group, and there was lack of clarity. So, our theme was: "Who
> are we, and how do we collaborate to drive success?" Also, my AVP--who is a
> leader in Learning & Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order
> to understand it better as it is new to my firm.
>
> Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the
> breakout sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to make
> sure that I provided the best experience for everyone, and participating
> would have dampened my focus. I shared this with my manager, after she
> inquired after the first day why I had not participated.
>
> Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I
> facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was
> working, and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the
> facilitator's role is to remain "invisible" to allow the group to build its
> capacity for self-management. She said that our firm's culture is very
> hierarchical and that "baby steps" are needed. She suggested even
> intervening in a group if it gets "stuck." I believe I mentioned that
> intervening is not part of Open Space facilitation.
>
> So my question is: how do you "hold space?" I found Chris's description on
> his website: "an Open Space Technology facilitator is neither seen nor
> heard, but his or her presence is 'felt.'" I guess by going for long walks
> and not being in the room, my presence was not "felt." One of my colleagues
> provided feedback that by not being there, it didn't seem like I cared.
> This is definitely not the case. I went on long walks as an act of love,
> not negligence.
>
> Anyway, would love your thoughts.
>
> Thanks,
> Jake
> 
>
> When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again, and
> you will be free of problems.
>  - Robert Adams 
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
> Past archives can be viewed here:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
>
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
> Past archives can be viewed here:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
___
OSList mailing list
To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Michael Herman via OSList]

Here's some of what I think is going on for me when facilitating... I do
sometimes leave the room, but not for what I'd call long walks.  If we're
in a hotel, I might have a reason to go retrieve something from my room,
pretty much out and back.  If it's a long walk, I might pass through all
the spaces we're using, on my way out and on my way back.  Mostly, I am
aware of awareness, swinging between how I am feeling as a body and how the
workspace is feeling to me, between what I am doing and what others are
doing, between doing things like picking up cups and not doing anything at
all.  Just sort of there taking care of everything, which includes myself.
And the reporting, if we're playing that way.  If there's a newsroom, it's
a good place to hang out, but I like to make passes through the rest of the
space.  I don't do other work, read a book, listen to music or anything
like that.  Unless you count glancing at headlines of a newspaper on a
table or in a hotel gift shop, or maybe scanning headlines online for a
minute or few, to give my attention a rest from the space.  But any of
those diversions are about being interested and paying attention to things
rather than leaving the group.  Nobody would see me as checked out.
Mostly, it's just being very aware of awareness and staying loose and
moving, inside and out, letting it go, letting the whole experience flow
through and around me.  There's nothing to do.  Even when the newsroom is
cooking.


--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
312-280-7838 (mobile)

MichaelHerman.com
OpenSpaceWorld.org




On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 12:25 PM Chris Corrigan via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> Harrison has described as being “totally invisible but completely
> present.”  I rarely leave the room. But I also never intervene. If asked to
> help I respond with “what would you like to do? Why don’t you take care of
> it?” It’s about radical return of passion and responsibility to the people.
> It is indeed risky. But the reward is immense.
>
> Chris.
>
> _
> CHRIS CORRIGAN
> www.chriscorrigan.com
>
> On Feb 8, 2020, at 12:45 PM, Jake Yeager via OSList <
> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
> 
> Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)
>
> This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across two
> half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team, of which
> I am a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had recently merged
> with another group, and there was lack of clarity. So, our theme was: "Who
> are we, and how do we collaborate to drive success?" Also, my AVP--who is a
> leader in Learning & Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order
> to understand it better as it is new to my firm.
>
> Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the
> breakout sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to make
> sure that I provided the best experience for everyone, and participating
> would have dampened my focus. I shared this with my manager, after she
> inquired after the first day why I had not participated.
>
> Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I
> facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was
> working, and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the
> facilitator's role is to remain "invisible" to allow the group to build its
> capacity for self-management. She said that our firm's culture is very
> hierarchical and that "baby steps" are needed. She suggested even
> intervening in a group if it gets "stuck." I believe I mentioned that
> intervening is not part of Open Space facilitation.
>
> So my question is: how do you "hold space?" I found Chris's description on
> his website: "an Open Space Technology facilitator is neither seen nor
> heard, but his or her presence is 'felt.'" I guess by going for long walks
> and not being in the room, my presence was not "felt." One of my colleagues
> provided feedback that by not being there, it didn't seem like I cared.
> This is definitely not the case. I went on long walks as an act of love,
> not negligence.
>
> Anyway, would love your thoughts.
>
> Thanks,
> Jake
> 
>
> When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again, and
> you will be free of problems.
>  - Robert Adams 
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
> Past archives can be viewed here:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
>
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to 

Re: [OSList] How do you "hold space?"

[Chris Corrigan via OSList]

Harrison has described as being “totally invisible but completely present.”  I 
rarely leave the room. But I also never intervene. If asked to help I respond 
with “what would you like to do? Why don’t you take care of it?” It’s about 
radical return of passion and responsibility to the people. It is indeed risky. 
But the reward is immense. 

Chris. 

_
CHRIS CORRIGAN
www.chriscorrigan.com

> On Feb 8, 2020, at 12:45 PM, Jake Yeager via OSList 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> Many questions these days. Thank you for entertaining them. :)
> 
> This past week, I facilitated an eight-hour Open Space split across two 
> half-days. The attendees were an Organizational Development team, of which I 
> am a member. My AVP sponsored the event, because we had recently merged with 
> another group, and there was lack of clarity. So, our theme was: "Who are we, 
> and how do we collaborate to drive success?" Also, my AVP--who is a leader in 
> Learning & Development--wanted to experience Open Space in order to 
> understand it better as it is new to my firm.
> 
> Since I am a fledgling facilitator, I chose not to participate in the 
> breakout sessions, even though I am part of the group. I wanted to make sure 
> that I provided the best experience for everyone, and participating would 
> have dampened my focus. I shared this with my manager, after she inquired 
> after the first day why I had not participated.
> 
> Long story short, after the event, my manager had major concerns how I 
> facilitated the event. I had gone for long walks while the group was working, 
> and she felt that was very risky. I told her that the facilitator's role is 
> to remain "invisible" to allow the group to build its capacity for 
> self-management. She said that our firm's culture is very hierarchical and 
> that "baby steps" are needed. She suggested even intervening in a group if it 
> gets "stuck." I believe I mentioned that intervening is not part of Open 
> Space facilitation. 
> 
> So my question is: how do you "hold space?" I found Chris's description on 
> his website: "an Open Space Technology facilitator is neither seen nor heard, 
> but his or her presence is 'felt.'" I guess by going for long walks and not 
> being in the room, my presence was not "felt." One of my colleagues provided 
> feedback that by not being there, it didn't seem like I cared. This is 
> definitely not the case. I went on long walks as an act of love, not 
> negligence. 
> 
> Anyway, would love your thoughts.
> 
> Thanks,
> Jake
> 
> 
> When the mind is quiet, the sun of your heart will shine once again, and you 
> will be free of problems.
>  - Robert Adams
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
> Past archives can be viewed here: 
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
___
OSList mailing list
To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Past archives can be viewed here: 
http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org