Subject: [Master Facilitator Journal] Dethroning the god of Content - February06, 2007
Master
Facilitator Journal | Issue #0288, February 6, 2007 ....
Dear
friends,
It’s
easy when we’re trying to present something new, particularly in a training
environment, to be overwhelmed by all there is to know and say on the
subject. In fact, I'm often asked by trainers, "How do I cover
all the information I have to share in the limited time I have?"
In this week's article, Dethroning the god
of Content, we explore how to put engaged learning ahead of content
delivery.
Transforming Conflict in the Workplace.
This
5-day teleclass will help you remove
the fear and uncertainty in working with conflict in groups and organizations.
Led by a 25-year expert in the fields of facilitation and mediation,
Harry Webne-Behrman. Class starts February 12th. See
details at the end of this issue.
Warmest regards,
Steve
Davis
Publisher and Founder of FacilitatorU.com
Dethroning
the god of content Put engaged learning ahead
of content delivery
Presenting
Skill
It’s easy when we’re
trying to present something new, particularly in a training environment,
to be overwhelmed by all there is to know and say on the subject. In fact,
I'm often asked by trainers, "How do I cover all the information
I have to share in the limited time I have?" I usually answer with
something like, "Don't even try." That is, don't try to "cover"
it all. The whole point of getting a group of people together in a room,
whether it's a real or virtual room, is to build, draw, and mine the value
of everyone being together, sharing their experience and real time insights
together.
With the advent of the Internet and email, it's real easy to share information
all across the planet online. So what I like to do is put everything I
know down in writing and share that with my groups before the training.
Then during the training event, I can devote that time to following the
groups' interest and energy around the material that most interests them.
I can also use the time to have the group "doing" something
active or interactive that adds to their learning rather than asking them
to passively receive data.
Running trainings this way is in some ways more challenging
for me as a facilitator in that no two trainings on the same subject are
ever the same as each group brings their own experience, interests, and
information to the party. Leaving room for us to interact on the material,
new and fresh content relevant to this group is often "co-created"
between me and my participants.
Finally, it’s OK to leave the audience wanting a little bit. It’s better
for them to leave hungry and curious rather than overwhelmed and confused!
Application
Suppose you have an hour
to present all there is to know about conflict resolution? You just happen
to be an expert on this. You have at least 10 key points you want to deliver,
about 5 examples, and you can talk on this subject for 60 minutes nonstop
with no problem. You are concerned about how to present this in the time
allowed.
Try putting yourself in the seat of your participants. Then ask yourself,
"Which two or three things on this subject you’d like to leave with
if you were one of them?" Deliver these points using your planned activities.
Then pull additional details from your audience through questions and discussion.
This approach assures that the audience leaves with the major points you
want them to have, and it also allows them to generate and share additional
details in accordance with their immediate needs. Rather than being overwhelmed
with data they'll likely soon forget, they will instead leave feeling excited
about what they’ve learned and/or practiced!
Action
The next
time you have something to present, try this. Limit your agenda to no
more than three major points per hour. Focus on creating opportunities
for your audience to demonstrate to you and each other that they do in
fact understand the material. This change in perspective will do wonders
for your presentation. Not to mention your audience attention span! I’m
interested in hearing what happened. Just reply to this email to
send me your comments.
Get
your listeners attention, keep their interest, and make your point--all
in thirty seconds! Anyone can be more effective in 30 seconds than in
30 minutes or 3 hours. Milo Frank, America's foremost business communications
consultant, teaches you how to zero in on one's listeners and economically
make your point by showing you how to:
* Focus your objectives
* Utilize the "hook" technique
* Use the secrets of TV and advertising writers
* Tell terrific anecdotes that make your point
* Shine in meetings, question-and-answer sessions, and more!
Milo's proven techniques give you the edge that successful people share
-- the art of communicating quickly, precisely and powerfully!
Note
to Publishers
Would
you like to republish this or other articles from the journal? You are f$ree
to do so providing you follow these guidelines.
We grow
by recommendation only when you find our material of use! If you enjoyed
this issue, we'd love it if you'd spread the word. Click
here to use our interactive form to tell your friends about MFJ, and
as a thank you, you will receive our f$ree Facilitator's Self Assessment.
In
the Spotlight
Transforming Conflict in the Workplace...
Would
you be a more effective facilitator or leader with
a more solid base of conflict resolution skills
under your belt?
All
organizations and relationships encounter conflict.
It's what we do with it that makes all the difference
in the world.
February
12th - 16th, 2007
10:00 AM Pacific, 1:00 PM Eastern (NY Time)
Remove
the fear and uncertainty in working with conflict
in groups and organizations in this 5-day teleclass
series: Transforming Conflict in the Workplace,
led by a 25-year expert in the fields of facilitation
and mediation, Harry Webne-Behrman.
o
Did you know that everyone has a unique style and
response to conflict? Knowing
your styles and response is critical to effective
conflict resolution.
o Do you feel comfortable modeling effective conflict
resolution skills as a facilitator? This
is one of the best ways to prevent conflict from
escalating.
o Did you know that 80% of effective conflict management
consists of effective interpersonal communication?
Knowing how to facilitate this kind of communication
is key to mining the positive energy of conflict.
o
Do you know what it takes to establish conflict
resolution and staff facilitation programs within
organizations? This knowledge
is in growing demand for facilitators, coaches,
and consultants.
In
this class you will learn conflict resolution skills
for facilitative leaders by exploring and evaluating
your own styles and personal responses conflict,
learning and practicing conflict resolution strategies
in the context of group facilitation, and exploring
how you can implement conflict resolution and staff
facilitation programs within organizations.
By
the end of the 5 days, you will:
Know
your own conflict resolution style and
response to conflict.
Be
able to employ effective conflict resolution
strategies with any group.
Understand
how to deal with impasse in groups.
Be
able to recognize others conflict styles
and responses.
Have
more confidence in dealing with conflict in
groups and organizations.
Know
the keys to implementing conflict resolution
and staff facilitation programs within organizations.
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