Facilitate ... as “a way of being”

A bag of tools and tricks?! I know facilitation is much more! From conversations I have held, I think that some individuals view facilitation as tools, techniques, and methods. Knowing and being able to lead “get acquainted” activities, guiding group members through a particular discussion technique, and offering fun energizers are examples of what many people see as facilitation.

I believe facilitation is much more! It is a way of behaving based on sound beliefs and philosophies which in turn support approaches and methods. I am currently reading a book that speaks profoundly to me about this fundamental underpinning of facilitation. Larry Dressler in his book “Standing in the Fire: leading high-heat meetings with clarity, calm and courage” speaks of the WHAT, the HOW, and the WAY OF BEING of facilitation. Quoting from Dressler,

“The What is the content of the gatherings we facilitate, which includes the purpose, questions, challenges, and possibilities that matter most to the people in the groups we serve

The How is the structures, methods, skills, and techniques we use to help a group mobilize its collective energy, insights, and commitment to action.

The Way of Being is who we are being while we are working with a group. It is an attitudinal, emotional, physical, and even spiritual presence.”

The What or content is normally “owned” by the group members with the facilitator adding content expertise and advice only as agreed upon with the group members. When appropriate, I ask a group if I can “take off my facilitator hat” and provide content information in more of a consulting role.

The How is what I as a facilitator primarily does. I bring my ability to help groups to discuss complex and important content in meaningful, respectful, and beneficial ways. My ability to effectively perform the How depends on my ability to “be with the group”.

How do I bring my presence or way of being to a group? Many ways of thinking and behaving create my way of being. Here are some – the tip of the iceberg:

• Thinking of the group members, as individuals and as the group, before I reach the gathering. Where are they coming from? What are they leaving to attend? What might they want to achieve? What can I do to work with them to create a challenging and safe environment?
• Using opening and closing conversations to help the group members share who they are, why they are participating, what they contribute, and what they take away with them
• Constantly reflecting throughout the conversations with the group about what is happening; staying calm; openly acknowledging what I observe and feel; and inviting group members to do the same. I hold a quick internal dialogue with myself such as: What do I see or hear? What might it mean for the group? How would talking about it help the group?
• Facilitate what is happening, rather than what I think should or could happen. Respecting the group and its members to know what they need to talk about. Be in the “here and now”; not the past or future.
• Being silent when I do not need to speak. Helping the group hold necessary silence.
• Thinking about when to do nothing. Resisting the urge to act, to do something.
• Knowing when to do something! To me, this is usually providing a group with the implications of its discussion and actions, e.g. Talking about this new topic will take at least an hour. What aspects of our current conversation topics do we wish to adjust to allow this new topic?
• Having fun! Creating moments of fun! Yes, energizers are great!

My facilitation blog question is: What do you do as a facilitator to be present with a group; to nurture your “way of being?”

Facilitate ... with best wishes

During this holiday season, I enjoy giving and receiving best wishes to and from all I meet. Whether we say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, the intent of good will is heartily meant and felt. During a recent walk with my two dogs in a snowy wintry wonderland, I found myself thinking about how best wishes apply in my facilitation work. I know that I go into each facilitation session with the intent of best wishes. I want to do my best work to help individuals and groups explore questions, seek understanding, listen to others, and reach meaningful decisions.

I firmly believe that most people I interact with also act within the intent of best wishes. Yes, there are exceptions! A few “humbugs” can be heard or seen within facilitated sessions. However, these Scrooge-like individuals often have a valid reason for their emotions, and through genuine conversation, they often exhibit more positive attitudes.

As I enjoy another deeply meaningful Christmas season, I plan to reinforce best wishes to all in my personal and professional lives.

As my son said in our family Christmas letter,

Merry whatever holiday you celebrate to all!

Facilitate ... with a pause

The concept of a PAUSE has popped serendipitously into my life over the past month. First, I realized that I have really taken a long pause from blogging! (That’s OK; I always promised myself I would blog when an idea inspired me! Obviously, I needed a time to pause.) Then, while researching creativity techniques for a workshop, I came across Pause for a Bit in Roger Van Oech’s Creative Whack Pack. (http://www.creativethink.com/index.html). Poet Doug King is cited as encouraging us to "Learn to pause . . . or nothing worthwhile will ever catch up to you." Van Oech says “Allow the Muse to whisper in your ear. How would your problem benefit if you paused in the next hour? Day? Week? Month? What might you gain or learn?”

Next, I was working with a Manager to design a one-day workshop for her staff team. She said to me that the team needed to pause from their busy schedules. During the workshop, one of the participants described herself as a “percolator”, meaning that she liked time to pause and think about topics and ideas; and let solutions bubble.

I decided that natural forces were sending me a message. I paused and pondered about the value of pauses in facilitation. I have always believed that it is very important for individuals in discussion groups to have “silent” time to think about a topic before they discuss it with others. I am now more actively talking with participants about the value of pauses, and asking them how they want to pause.

I am incorporating quiet moments, reflection time, mediation, gentle exercises, and solo walks in my workshops and meetings with the intent of pausing and thinking. In a recent workshop, one participant said to me, “I get nervous when I need to stop and think, and when no one is talking.” I encouraged her to practice pausing for a few minutes each day. Another participant led the group in a meditation activity.

My facilitation questions are, “How do you create the time and interest with participants to percolate ideas? How do you pause and help others to pause during group discussions?