To blow, or not to blow….the whistle
The room is buzzing. People are having great conversations. You’re reluctant to interrupt but need to.
If you can’t, or don’t, want to use your voice, there is an orchestra of instruments we can use to get a group’s attention:
🎵 Little hand cymbals
🎵 Maracas
🎵 A triangle
🎵 Clapsticks (that’s me ✋!)
🎵 A bell 🔔
🎵 A meditation bowl
I love playing music too. People really do wind up their conversations as I gently increase the volume.
Have you ever been tempted to use a whistle, like an umpire or referee?
I know I have. Like when two people in a group go back and forth with their opposing points of view, and the rest of the group finds themselves watching a tennis match.
Tempting…..
How about you?
If you feel like you want to blow a whistle, do you catch yourself? Or do you blow a metaphorical whistle, like putting your hand up in the air to get their attention, clap or raise your voice, like a stern school principal?
You know you’re at your best as a facilitator when you’re like a guide. But I reckon we can switch to umpire, or referee, pretty easily.
It depends on so many factors – let’s just start with the group.
Did they have time to prepare for the workshop? Did they get content in time to read it? Was it clearly communicated? How well do they know each other? If they are a team, do they rub along well or get on each other’s nerves? How much time do they have to work together? Did they get time to connect before they were asked to collaborate?
And what are their expectations of you and each other?
So, what’s the difference? How do you know if you’re facilitating like a guide or an umpire?
Here’s a couple of characteristics.
Years ago, a member of a voluntary community group gave me some feedback I’ll never forget.
‘When you say, ‘in the interests of time’, we feel rushed. It’s puts us on edge.’
I so lucky he told me. I’ve never forgotten it.
It’s vital that the group finish on time, but you don’t need to involve the group in your timekeeping 😊.
I’d love to know if any of the characteristics above resonate with you. And what would you add? I’d love to hear. Comment below or drop me a line at jacinta@jacintacubis.com
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