with Edwin Nevis 
Thursday,September 12, 2002 

Response to the Session --

By Julie Spahr, Envision Consulting Associates
The PRODN learning event for September was a delightful and informative day, on "presence and use of self", with Ed Nevis, one of the founders of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. Ed also is the co-founder of The International Gestalt Study Center on Cape Cod. He referred to himself as a "closet historian." Throughout the day, he filled his presentation with anecdotes and stories from his wealth of experience, that evoked in us a high level of comfort and similar desire to share ourselves.

One of the major differentiating factors in a Gestalt consulting approach is the "use of self" and of "presence" to influence the client system. He defined "presence" as being grounded in who one is or in what one knows. In Gestalt work, you do not have to give up anything you are now; you just have to learn to do it better. You have to know your center and go from there.

In the morning, we also examined the full range of evocative and provocative modes of the use of self. In an evocative stance, you are modeling and eliciting. In a provocative stance, you are confronting. Both modes have their time and place in the Gestalt approach. What's important is to get in touch with the client and make "contact," and then build on it.

In the afternoon, Ed talked about the "use of self" in dealing with resistance. He advised that when there is resistance, it is time to try out some bold behaviors. Lean in and move closer to the resister. Be interested! Try to say something unexpected, perhaps by using a metaphor or telling a story. But mostly, act boldly. Be comfortable with yourself and reach out to legitimize the client. The consultant's power comes from saying the unexpected.

It was a day of new learnings for many, and one that gave me a chance to relive some of my experience two years ago as a participant of the Gestalt OSD program in Cleveland. Thank you Edwin!

By Ann Colby, Colby-Cummings Consulting
Participants were all very "present" and focused throughout the day September 12 as Dr. Edwin Nevis of the International Gestalt Study Center led an exciting workshop focusing on the concept of using self as an instrument when working with individual clients or within client systems.

Close to 40 practitioners attended this special PRODN event and listened with rapt attention as Dr. Nevis discussed:

• The Cycle of Experience
• The elements of "presence"
• The framework for assessing personal tendencies that help define the nature of the individual's presence, and
• How consultants can make choices in being evocative or provocative with clients

The group applied the concepts through several exercises and had the opportunity to begin to use these techniques in thinking about their work challenges. Dr. Nevis excelled in sharing his deep expertise was very responsive to participants' questions and comments throughout the session, which was held at the Gregg Center at American University.

By Todd Whitmer
Edwin Nevis, a founder of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, and a carrier of the history of organization development shared his wisdom and presence in a full day workshop.

Blending the history of ODN and its relationship with NTL and Gestalt work, with his primary theme of the power self-awareness of our presence in the consulting relationship, Dr. Nevis gave us an enlightening and experiential day of learning.

We experienced several exercises that helped heighten self-awareness of our presence. Of particular interest was his conceptualization of how our presence is both evocative and provocative. Our awareness and intentional utilization of these aspects of our presence is critical as we engage with clients. Our evocative mode builds safety in the container of the consulting relationship and helps clients explore their always-present ambivalence. Our provocative mode stimulates and even forces a response from the client. In general, Dr. Nevis stated, the more our evocative presence is established, the more powerful our provocative presence will be.

Dr. Nevis also shared the variety of GIC programs and opportunities. Many thanks to Susanne Ianecce for bringing Dr. Nevis and the Gestalt Institute to Philadelphia!

Original Announcement

The concept of presence is one of the cornerstones of the Gestalt Model. It deals with the stance that we each take - often without being aware of it - when attempting to influence others. Our presence is a function of strongly held beliefs and assumptions about teaching, learning, and exerting influence. To this we add our personal "style" - the unique way in which we contact other people. Every one of us has presence, but there are many different ways in which it is manifested.

In this workshop, we will look at some basic definitions and examples of presence, and we will look at the assumptions that form our particular way of taking a stance. We will look at the use of evocative and provocative modes of exerting influence, and apply this to our own cases. Attention will also be devoted to use of self in dealing with resistance.

In addition to lectures and discussion, we will spend a good deal on time in application exercises.

The presenter, Edwin C. Nevis has a long history in executive education and development, and in organization change management. He recently completed 17 years at the Sloan School of Management of MIT, where he taught courses in organization change and served as a core faculty member and later as Director of the Program for Senior Executives. He continues to conduct an annual workshop for the Management of Technology Program at MIT.

In addition to his work in executive education, Dr. Nevis has practiced organizational consulting internationally for over 40 years. His work covers a range of activities, including leadership development, strategic advising concerning organization design, succession planning, and management of knowledge-based network organizations. He has worked with clients in the areas of information technology, financial services, mergers and acquisitions, environmental services and consulting, and many others. He has worked in many parts of the world, including Brazil, the Peoples Republic of China, and most countries in Europe. He has also served as Director of several Boards.

A third phase of his work is advanced training of consultants and related professionals whose work takes place in countries other than their own. This international five-week program - founded by Ed - involves people from as many as 25 different countries who are engaged in cross-cultural change efforts. The major thrust of this work is how to use oneself as an instrument of influence in a world of diversity.

Edwin Nevis is president of the Gestalt International Study Center in Cape Cod and founder of the OSD and the International OSD programs at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland.

Ed is the author of numerous articles and several books, including Intentional Revolutions: A Seven-Point Strategy for Transforming Organizations (with J. Lancourt and H. Vassallo); and How Organizations Learn (with A.J. DiBella). He holds an M.A. in Counseling from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organization Psychology from Case Western Reserve University.