THE SOUL OF FACILITATION

By Harrison Snow

Facilitation is like walking a tightrope. You have to pay close attention to every step. When the emotions are calm and the subject you are on is agreeable it seems like you can skip along forever. Yet, don’t get over confident. The only thing predictable about groups is their unpredictability. When things get shaky it can be hard to keep your balance. And keeping your balance, recovering from a mis-step, or responding to a sudden upset in the group in a relaxed and calm manner is the mark of a pro.

Before you get on the tight rope again and work with a group take a look at three areas: Yourself as the facilitator, the group being facilitated and the process of facilitation.

1) It all starts with yourself. Find a quiet place where you can sit for a few minutes and check in with yourself. Take a deep breath. Notice any areas of tension in your body and let them relax. Notice any doubts or feelings of anxiety about the session and let them go. The more open, relaxed and positive you are the more open, relaxed and positive the group can be. Think about the ideal outcome of the session. How would it look? Would people be smiling and shaking each other’s hands, congratulating each other for what they accomplished? If so, affirm that goal in your mind’s eye and notice how that outcome would make you feel.

2) Think about the group you will be working with. How much of a relationship do you have with them. If they are strangers try to meet them before the session or when they come in the room. What state of mind are they likely to be in? Will it be positive or negative or still waking up? You might ask them if them if they have the mindset of prisoners, vacationers or explorers? Ask the group what outcomes it wants from the session? What behaviors will it take during the session to achieve those outcomes? How committed are they to achieving those objectives by doing what it takes?

3) It is a common expression that a facilitator is as good as the group he or she works with. A great group can easily make you feel like a great facilitator. A conflicted, defensive, resistant or hostile group will really help you learn a lot about yourself and the art of facilitation. No matter how the group is acting, towards you or towards each other it is just useful information. You cannot take it personally. Being objective. Being non-attached. Being fully present with the group, focusing on how it is doing, not how you are doing will help you respond to the needs of the moment. Even if it looks like the session is going to be a total failure, especially when it looks like that, you strive to stay centered and positive because that is your job. Your attitude tells the group louder than any words that a successful outcome is still an option. By holding that vision for the group you can ask the questions that will help the group overcome its own doubts, clarify what it is trying to do, access and organize its skills and abilities and achieve its objectives.