Be a Model of Presence One of the attractive aspects of facilitation is that you don’t have to do the work for your group. Though sometimes, what you do have to do is a lot harder. One of those things, which I see as the hallmark of an advanced facilitator, is our ability to be […]
The Guardian (Consensus Building)
Consensus is reached when everyone can “live with” a solution or agreement. They may not like the solution very much. However, the basic test is not a full “thumbs up” but that the solution doesn’t violate a basic need or interest. The consensus builder role is to find and express common ground. This is done […]
The Mediator (Conflict Magic)
In a culture where fight or flight are the common options for engaging conflict, most of us have been conditioned to simply avoid it at all costs. Hearing people disagree or dive deeper into conflict inspires anxiety responses like sweaty palms, tightened chest, and that sick feeling in the pit in your stomach. Some degree […]
The Guide (Facilitating Process)
The heart of facilitation is this ability to utilize process tools within the context of dynamic forces and the complexity of group conversation. While you can plan well in advance for collaborative events, sometimes that slick process tool you had all ready to go will be now be out of place. Even if you planned […]
The Magician (Facilitating Participation)
The importance of full group participation is often overlooked and undervalued, particularly by groups whose inordinate focus is on immediate results. Full participation means that everyone who has something relevant to express about a topic has an opportunity to do so. Facilitators enhance participation by applying group process techniques and by embodying core values, intentions, […]
The Lover (Setting)
Setting refers to the physical or social environment. We all know the impact that stressful versus relaxed environments have on us. Stress, fear or disagreeable environments contribute a great deal to an unpleasant experience (bad trip in Leary’s terms). Conversely, a relaxed, curious person in a warm, comfortable and safe place is more likely to […]
The Shaman (Set)
In the 1960’s, Timothy Leary coined the term “set and setting” referring to the context that influenced the outcomes of his experiments using psychoactive drugs to shift subjects into non-ordinary states of consciousness. We use the term “set” to describe one’s mindset, and “setting” as the environment in which an experience occurs. Now we’re not […]
The Empath (Forbearance)
Imagine a deep well of stillness; a place of support and unflinching focus, like a newborn being held in a mother’s arms. This kind of total attention and respect for what is possible underscores the archetype of forbearance. The empathic facilitator can see into situations of conflict and difficulty to provide renewed focus. They can […]
The Muse (Understanding)
A vital practice of facilitation is the ability to “work a room” akin to a comic. If you have ever watched a seasoned stand-up comedian closely, you’ll notice that they have an uncanny ability to find out what makes the room roar with laughter. They do this by paying extremely close attention to the group’s […]
The Investigator (Inquiry)
Another aspect of listening important to the integral facilitator is the archetype we call “The Investigator.” In our work with groups, we sometimes have to act as detectives to help them sort out their challenges in achieving their goals by unraveling assumptions and clarifying communication. The competencies associated with this role involve listening to get […]