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Master
Facilitator Journal | Issue #0245, February 28, 2006 ....
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Dear
friends,
Many readers have commented to me over the years how facilitation
is simply one of many roles they play on their job from time
to time. They exercise this role officially when asked to facilitate
a meeting, workshop, or retreat. At other times, they may simply
"be" facilitative in the way they show up in the meetings
and groups they are part of.
In organizations becoming increasingly "participatory"
in nature, everyone is called to be a leader. When
you must exercise leadership as a skill or attitude
rather than a position, a facilitative form of leadership
often works best. In this week's article, "Be a Facilitative
Leader," we explore ten qualities of facilitative leaders.
Have a look at these and let us know which ones you practice and
which ones are your biggest challenges either as the official group
leader or as the "guide on the side."
Walking Your Talk. Sue Walden and I are hosting a live four-day
version of the Improvisational Facilitator class called "Walking
Your Talk" in San Francisco from March 15th - 18th. It
will provide a multi-dimensional approach helping you build the
skills to create an environment for participative learning; one
that encourages openness and risk-taking for you and groups. See
details after the article. I'd love to meet you there in person
where we will take our skills to the next level!
Have a great week!
Steve
Davis
Publisher
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The
Point
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Be
a Facilitative Leader
Ten Qualities
of Facilitative Leaders
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Self-Facilitation
Skill
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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
-- Margaret Mead --
Are you are in a formal
leadership position? If so, you probably know better than anyone that
leadership represents far more than merely a job position. Leadership
spans a spectrum of skills and qualities.
If you aren't the
formal leader, it's quite likely that you've had ideas about what your
leader "should" be doing. Perhaps you've felt powerless to affect
any change from where you stand.
Facilitative leadership
is an attitude that anyone can practice.
The basic definition
of Facilitation is to make easy. In terms of group facilitation, to design,
conduct, and manage a healthy group process making it easier for the group
to accomplish its purpose.
Facilitative leadership
invites and empowers others as opposed to commanding and directing. While
there are situations where facilitative leadership may not work, in most
instances, it's the best way to lead, especially when you want to build
leadership within your team. As a relational form of leadership, it also
lends itself to being practiced by unofficial leaders.
Again, leadership
is more than a mere position. John Tropman has this to say about leadership
in his book, Making Meetings Work: Achieving High Quality Group Decisions:
Leadership can
exist everywhere and anywhere-in the firm, in the family, and in the civic
organization. It's not associated with a position as such, though common
parlance often makes that association. We talk, for example, about senior
managers as organizational leadership, we expect moms and dads to exercise
family leadership, and we think of clergy as religious leaders. This misconception
needs correction. Leaders are, as defined above, people who help us to
change. They sometimes are those who occupy positions of power, but often
they are not. Indeed, many individuals in high positions continually disappoint
in the leadership dimension.
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Application
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Ten Qualities of Facilitative Leaders
So now you may be
asking, "How do I improve myself as a facilitative leader? What does
one look like?" The following list will help you identify some of
the behaviors, attitudes, and characteristics of a facilitative leader.
Try them on one at a time and see how they work for you in your groups.
1. You're
Facilitative vs. Directive. Facilitative leaders know that they're
not here to "fix" anyone. While they may be the "designated"
leader, they understand that they don't always need to have all the answers.
As a facilitative leader, you see your job as one where you help your
team members expand the horizons of their awareness, and facilitate them
taking responsibility for their actions, past, present, and future.
2. You're
not a "know-it-all." Being the leader doesn't necessarily
mean that you have to be the "authority" on the subject at hand.
The amount of brilliance unleashed in your team depends on how well you
let go of your need to know more than anyone else.
3. You're a guide
on the side vs. a sage on center stage. The way most of us were raised
and schooled, we were conditioned to shut up and listen to the wisdom
of the "expert" on the podium or the person "in charge."
But if you consistently approach your leadership from the perspective
that the wisdom in the "room" is far more potent than the "sage"
in front of the room, you'll see your people more engaged, having more
fun, and achieving greater results.
4. You believe
in your people. You see, invite, and challenge your people, not based
on what they've done, but what you know they can do based on the latent
abilities you see in them - abilities that they may not be aware of just
yet. Empowering your team takes a huge burden off of you to do everything
as the leader. This is replaced by the burden of faith you must maintain
in what's possible and hold that vision in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
5. You're
transparent. You don't withhold relevant thoughts and feelings to
try to look good to your team. To the degree we are honest about what
we see and experience, the more effortlessly we will move forward, and
the more powerful our invitation is to others to accept and see what is.
6. You make
adjustments instead of judgments. Facilitative leaders are models
of functional behavior. You engender trust by telling the truth and doing
what you say you will do. You gracefully accept constructive feedback
from your team members. When you make mistakes, you own them, correct
them, and move on.
7. You're
over yourself. You accept yourself fully, flaws and all. You've given
up presenting an image you think others want to see and offer your unique
self as you are, placing your focus on greater visions, on others, and
on the task at hand.
8. You practice
extreme responsibility. You get that you choose your thoughts, feelings,
and actions in every moment no matter the outer circumstances. When the
unexpected occurs, instead of letting it set you back, you simply ask,
"What's my next action?"
9. You practice
being present. You live in the present knowing that this is where
you get your power and knowledge of right action. You simply notice where
you are and when you're not here, you choose to be "here" now.
People's ongoing patterns of behavior show up constantly in their everyday
interactions. Being available to the present moment helps you discern
these behaviors, provide compassionate feedback when possible, and see
the underlying dynamics that cause problems in groups. Ironically, the
best future possible will be derived from living solidly, fully, and effectively
in the now.
10. You take
excellent care of yourself. You engage in regular centering and self-care
practices to help you stay in peak condition physically, mentally, emotionally,
and spiritually. Engage in practices to expand and cultivate your awareness
such as meditation, marshal arts, tai chi, yoga, good nutrition, exercise,
diaphragmatic breathing, practicing presence, etc.
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Action
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Which of the qualities
above really got your attention? Take a minute to jot down some thoughts
on what you can do to exercise this quality today. Then go take action.
What is your own definition of facilitative leadership? Are there any
qualities missing that you would add that you're good at? That you'd like
to improve? Feel free to send me any comments, insights or feedback about
this lesson - just click reply and type them directly into this email.
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Note
to Publishers
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you like to republish this or other articles from the journal? You are free
to do so providing you follow these guidelines.
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In
the Spotlight
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Walking
the Talk
An
interactive "train the trainer" experience
in facilitating interactive learning
Learn
improv techniques to revitalize your "inner"
leader and put you in the master's class of group facilitators,
trainers, and leaders
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When...
March 15th-18th, 2006, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm daily.
I attended Sue Walden's 4-Day Train the Trainer and wanted to
tell you about my experience. This
wonderful, insightful seminar helped me become even more aware of
my impact. Using videotape and group feedback, I was able to see
where I accomplished my desired impact and when I'd get in my own
way. It was fun, delightful and very beneficial. This class helped
me be more aware of when I show up in my strength.
Sue provided
lots of materials from her extensive experience in improv work and
I walked away feeling it was well worth my time. Sue is a Pro and
a bright light in the industry. Feel free to call or email me if
you want more information or encouragement to attend.
--Marti Bolton, (503) 694-6165, martib@centurytel.net--
Do
you encounter any of these problems when working with groups?
1. Do you take your work with groups way too seriously? So
seriously that sometimes you get uptight and afraid about what might
happen. In this class, you'll learn and practice tools that will
help you relax and have a lot more fun with your groups.
2. Are you afraid of encountering the unexpected? Learn simple
strategies that will help you to be more open and flexible to the
specific and dynamic needs of your groups.
3.
Are you bothered when participants try to take the group off on
a tangent? Be
able to connect whatever people share to the group purpose or theme.
4. Do you have a tough time being "present" with your
groups, trying to juggle all that needs to be done? Learn and
practice strategies that will let you take a breath and get comfortable
being "in the moment" with your groups..
5. Do you ever fear that you'll "lose your place" in
your workshop? In this class, you'll learn exactly what to do
in that circumstance.
6. Is "speaker's block" a problem? You'll learn
a tool so that you never have speaker's block again.
7. Do you sometimes question your creative abilities? Discover
reservoirs of creativity within you that you didn't know existed.
8. Do you often feel like you're doing this group leadership
thing all alone? Come collaborate and learn from a community
of your peers, all passionate about empowering groups.
If you answered
"yes" to any of these questions, then read on. You'll
find help overcoming these issues and more in this dynamic 4-day
workshop.
The
Improvisational Facilitator Workshop...
The inner attitudes of facilitators, trainers, and leaders is the
key to their success with groups. However, very few trainings address
the development of those inner qualities that can make a good leader
great. In this workshop, you'll learn, practice, and receive video
feedback on
powerful, practical improv techniques you'll put to work with your
group of fellow students. Through this experience, you'll not only
learn to apply improv skills to solve the problems listed above,
but you'll get real clear about how you affect others positively
and negatively as a group leader.
This dynamic workshop, led by master trainer,
Sue Walden, is for anyone who facilitates, manages, teaches, mediates,
coaches, counsels, directs any group. This highly interactive workshop
provides an experiential approach using very novel exercises
to help you build the skills to create an environment for participation;
one that encourages openness and risk-taking for you and groups.
When...
March 15th-18th, 2006, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm daily.
Improvisational
Facilitator Training Agenda...
Here's what you'll be learning and doing during the course...
- Crucial
core skills for working with groups of any size.
Do you tend to fall into lecture mode
for fear of losing control?
Facilitating experiential learning is a lot different that lecture-format
learning. There is less control because there are more surprises;
and this only increases with greater numbers of people involved.
In this workshop, we'll practice the skills of presence, openness,
and flexibility and how to use them to consistently embrace the
big picture (the learning) while flowing with what happens in
the room.
- Environmental
dynamics that set the stage for interactive learning.
It
can be tough to get strangers to trust one another enough to take
the risks required to learn new behaviors. Come
to know the environmental dynamics that set the stage for interactive
learning. Learn to manage and adjust the many factors that contribute
or detract from an environment that encourages experimentation
and exploration.
- Verbal
and non-verbal communications skills.
Our unconscious behaviors get in our way without our consent!
Whatever
we're thinking and/or feeling "leaks" out in our non-verbal
behaviors, our tone of voice, and our choice of words. The more
aware we are of our unconscious behaviors, both the ones that
work for us and those that don't, the more "at choice"
we become in the message that's received.
- Giving
and receiving objective, constructive and encouraging feedback.
Do you have a hard time giving
and receiving objective, constructive and encouraging feedback?
Negative
feedback only increases inhibition. We use the "Positive
Feedback Model" to guide our feedback sessions. We focus
on "what works" so that we can continue to grow in that
direction. You'll learn and practice this model throughout the
workshop so that it becomes second nature.
- Video-feedback
of facilitating group exercises. Wouldn't
you love to know how you really "show up" in your groups?
Participants
get daily practice in leading activities that are video-taped
and debriefed for an objective view of your unconscious competencies.
The truth is, we all are coming across much better than we are
thinking. Wouldn't you like to see that and know it in your gut?
- Generous
number of energizers, exercises and resources.
How
would you like to feel comfortable facilitating, and even designing,
your own experiential exercises? You'll receive extensive
resources and practice in conducting and "tweaking"
energizers and interactive exercises throughout this workshop.
- Special
Treat: Your attendance includes a ticket to
see "Sue & Friends," Sue's one-woman [sorta] improv
show on Sunday, March 19th.
Sue Walden's
Train the Trainer workshop gave me an invaluable opportunity to
try out leading some exercises, get immediate feedback from Sue
and the other participants on my impact, and see myself improving
everyday (on video!) That was well worth the price of admission!
-- Marj
Plumb, (415) 492-8692 marjplumb@aol.com--
Pricing...
The full cost of training/access is $850 and this is the last time
Sue will not be offering the training at this price again as
she plans to raise the fee to $1,200 on future offerings of this
program.
Registration...
Contact Sue Walden at 415-863-9500 or sue@improvworks.org
to discuss your goals, your objectives and to register. To hold
your spot, send a $100.00 non-refundable deposit by check or money
order made out to ImprovWorks, 1801 Franklin St. Suite 404, San
Francisco, CA 94109. Limited space. Early
Registration Discount: Price is only $808 if you register
by March 4th.
I took the Train the Trainer program with Sue Walden and my
skills in leading grew exponentially, as well as increasing the
number of icebreakers and other exercises available to me. The class
got my creative juices going and I even created some of my own exercises.
-- Chris Pepper-Wong, (702) 562-0886 coachchris@aol.com--
Your instructor
Sue Walden. Sue Walden is the Founder and Director of ImprovWorks,
a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building Life Skills
through Improvisation. Her experience includes a BA in Education
and 26 years of teaching, performing and adapting and widely applying
the techniques of improvisation. She approaches improv training
as a powerful and joyful way to peel away constraints, restraints
and inhibitions, allowing the naturally expressive, collaborative
and creative self to emerge.
Sue is a skilled
teacher in ImprovWorks' public workshop program, a dynamic corporate
facilitator, an engaging speaker, an author (Working with Groups
to Enhance Relationships, Whole Person Assoc.), the delightful "Playmeister"
of both the public and corporate Recess! programs, the director
and a regular performer with San Francisco's longest-running improvisational
theater company, "Flash Family". She has been a member
of the Specialty Staff for the year-long Co-Active Leadership Program
since its inception eight years ago.
Her current
passion is training trainers and consulting on how to design powerful
experiential workshops. Sue promises that, in any of her programs,
while the learning may be challenging, it will also be fun!
Comments?
Please contact
us with your comments. Thanks for your help!
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