This bit on Holding Space from OpenSpaceTech originator Harrison Owen…
Among the Kpelle, the West African Tribe which largely inspired Open Space for me, the role of Space Holder is typically played by the Senior Elder. In a tribal council setting, when all the people are gathered in a circle, he will normally say nothing until the very end. At that point, he will utter a short saying or parable which encapsulates the discussion and essentially articulates the common finding (whatever that might be). More often than not, the saying or parable is very well known, but the art is to find just the right one that does the job. I think the key point for this elder, as also the OS facilitator, is to be basically invisible (at least in terms of overt participation), and yet profoundly present. I also saw more than a few situations when the Elder said nothing, for it was obvious that nothing more needed to be said. He just nodded his head, and it was over. My own reaction was that this was by far the most powerful sort of
ah, yes… and what would the other chapters be then??? nag, nag. (grin)
Dunno…but I’ll probably just publish it as a one page list of links!
ha! that’s what i’m going to do in the next couple of weeks with a book on practicing corporate compassion! so much for authorship. or even editorship. it’s all about linksmanship!
That’s going to have a be a chapter in my book! Unpacking The Role of the Elder…something like that.