The shared experience of collaborative planning is a significant outcome in itself. It can build a sense of team, increase depth of understanding, build common vocabulary, and give people a touchstone on which to call in the future when a group starts to drift.
But is that shared experience enough? Don’t we also need to produce something together through it? What happens if our shared experience is one of seemingly landing right back where we started?
When we’re trying to sell something or engage people in a project, we often find ourselves guessing what will pique their interest. What’s the hook that will encourage them to stick with us?
Instead of guessing, ask them.
We all know that person who likes to make things about them, don’t we? The one who turns the spotlight on himself, even at someone else’s party. The one who can talk for hours about her favourite topic: her. I don’t want to be that kind of facilitator.
Continue reading “Don’t Be The Hero”I recently taught a full-day course on Nimble Facilitation at the IAP2 Skills Symposium in Ottawa. As we reflected on the day, several participants noted one particular tool as their highlight, so I thought I’d share it here.
I often get asked how I handle ground rules in a group setting. And/or how I handle people who talk too much. My full answer is longer than you’d like to read here, but I can offer this tip:
Treat people as responsible adults.
Continue reading “Wondering About Ground Rules? Here’s an Option.”
One of the skills that differentiates a good facilitator from a great one is the ability to pay close attention to what’s not said. I’ve previously written about the importance of this discipline. You will often hear me ask a group, “How else could you have answered this question?” or “What do you notice about what responses have not [yet] appeared on this list?” It’s too easy to focus on what was actually said than on what could have been said. Both are instructive.
Continue reading “Listen for the Unsaid”