Speaking for myself, I notice a struggle between initiating and listening. If I'm the person proposing something, I can be so keen and so determined to spell things out clearly that I talk too much. In taking the air space I can overlook signals from others who want to contribute. I get to recognise this tendency when I listen to a recording of the exchange.
I'm thinking also, Rich, of your past orientation to making a cup of tea in a gathering. I think this is a profound act of leadership.
Maybe it's the etymology of the word itself that's a problem...its whole kind of "being out in frontness" vibe. There are so many kinds of leadership that are more like "going on togetherness".
I'm also wondering if it might sometimes make sense to ask permission to lead? "Hey, y'all: I'm feeling like making the charge on this thing for a bit...is everyone good with that?" (but not in a threatening or challenging tone).
In my earlier 5 Graces writing I was trying to reach from Māoridom towards the notion of different kinds of leadership that could manifest themselves in the moment. In your retreat, could people notice and appreciate each other's different leadership moments?
re: talking too much. when Nati & I are facilitating a process, one of the main things we do to prep is to really drill and repeat the explanation multiple times until we find the most concise and clear way to explain what we’re asking people to do. when we get it right, it feels like a light touch, like it’s just off the cuff. but it is one of the main places we put effort in. the idea is to get everyone else talking as much as possible and then everything else we have to say can be in response to what they’re sharing
one of the things I’ve appreciated about working within an “Open Space Technology” container is that everyone is given the chance to implicitly say “Hey I’m feeling like taking charge of something” and everyone who shows up to that session gives their enthusiastic consent to participate
I agree the etymology is wonky. “host” feels a lot closer to what’s going on. simultaneously “my house my rules” and “make yourself at home”
I'm such a leadership nerd. I drool at the idea of being in that conversation. Can't wait to hear future ideas and musings from this!
“when nobody wants to be told what to do but everyone wants a clear sense of direction”
Simply stated yet rings so profoundly true
love it! Looking forward to your (and others'!) takeaways
Huge fomo I couldn't be there - hope you find answers to these wonderful questions & write a great follow up post to share some of your conclusions!
Excellent questions!
Such powerful questions! And looking forward to the reflection after the retreat!!! Hopefully next time I can join :)
wish you were here!
next time! :)
Great list of questions and great initiative! Looking forward to reading what came out of this retreat.
A few thoughts:
Speaking for myself, I notice a struggle between initiating and listening. If I'm the person proposing something, I can be so keen and so determined to spell things out clearly that I talk too much. In taking the air space I can overlook signals from others who want to contribute. I get to recognise this tendency when I listen to a recording of the exchange.
I'm thinking also, Rich, of your past orientation to making a cup of tea in a gathering. I think this is a profound act of leadership.
Maybe it's the etymology of the word itself that's a problem...its whole kind of "being out in frontness" vibe. There are so many kinds of leadership that are more like "going on togetherness".
I'm also wondering if it might sometimes make sense to ask permission to lead? "Hey, y'all: I'm feeling like making the charge on this thing for a bit...is everyone good with that?" (but not in a threatening or challenging tone).
In my earlier 5 Graces writing I was trying to reach from Māoridom towards the notion of different kinds of leadership that could manifest themselves in the moment. In your retreat, could people notice and appreciate each other's different leadership moments?
re: talking too much. when Nati & I are facilitating a process, one of the main things we do to prep is to really drill and repeat the explanation multiple times until we find the most concise and clear way to explain what we’re asking people to do. when we get it right, it feels like a light touch, like it’s just off the cuff. but it is one of the main places we put effort in. the idea is to get everyone else talking as much as possible and then everything else we have to say can be in response to what they’re sharing
one of the things I’ve appreciated about working within an “Open Space Technology” container is that everyone is given the chance to implicitly say “Hey I’m feeling like taking charge of something” and everyone who shows up to that session gives their enthusiastic consent to participate
I agree the etymology is wonky. “host” feels a lot closer to what’s going on. simultaneously “my house my rules” and “make yourself at home”