suggested that pictures could be used to describe the relationships and emotions. I have participated in two open systems mapping sessions. Both sessions were facilitated in a similar way. Sheets of butcher paper were laid out on the floor, a large circle was drawn in the center of the butcher paper to represent the organizations and we then began drawing images to express relationships that existed with the organization and our feelings about those relationships. Having discovered that I am more of a verbal than a visual communicator, I found the process to be quite challenging. That reaction seemed to reflect the basic feelings of others in the group but as the group consisted of mostly males, a gender influence may have been in effect.