Human to Human • Tenneson Woolf

October 14, 2006

Codes of Description — What is Hosting?

Hosting — I have searched for words to describe this form of work and way of being. It is work that I care about deep in my heart. It is work that I feel has impact, that serves needs in organizations, communities, families, and in myself. It builds community in ways that I have never known. Yet, it is work that can feel new and non-traditional. I have searched for the simple clarity that gives me room to feel and describe the surface and the depth, and that invites people in to do it together.

At a recent gathering, The World Cafe Stewards Meeting (August 2006), I met Finn Voltoff, a Danish man, who spoke of “codes,” the words he used to describe his work. Inspired by this, I was able to name some of the codes I find most accurate and helpful for me. Others may have different words. What matters to me is the energy that comes from clarity.

What is hosting? What is this conference, The Art of Hosting?

– Leadership Development. Stakeholder Engagement. Community Development. Employee Involvement. Which is code for…

– Participatory Methods. Open Space Technology, World Cafe, Circle, Appreciative Inquiry. Others. Which is code for…

– Hosting conversations that matter in the work that we do so that we get done the work that we most care about. Which is code for…

– Creating and opening spaces in which conciousness, energy, and love can flow at the center of our work and our humanity.

As clear as I can get at this point.

October 14, 2006

Daughter, Old Soul, Learning Partner

This is how I introduced Zoe in a boardroom conference call today. I invited her to join me as I met with a design team — myself and four colleagues. Our focus was to design a community meeting for 200 people that will help launch a decade of a culture of connection in Utah — people, issues, fundraising, purpose, challenges.

It was a very sweet moment to have Zoe participate with the group, and for lots of reasons.

– She offered a nice little checkin — “I’m Zoe. I’m 11. I’m in 6th Grade. My dad said we would be planning a meeting to help people be more respectful with each other. I want to help.”

– Zoe was an immediate and beautiful reminder of the multigenerational impact of the need to connect across cultures.

– No shift in language was needed. There was no dumbing down. It was real. I think Zoe sensed this, even thought she didn’t get all that was being said. It was a chance for her to think together, right with us, to see adults in meaningful conversation.

– It was another way for Zoe to see how people can work together. No particular rocket science. People talking, openly with presence, key questions, listening, harvesting, choosing wise actions. I hope this creates the expectation for her of powerful work through quite simple means.

– It opens possibilities in new ways for Zoe to imagine some of the amazing travel we could do together, as family, old souls, and learning partners.