What type of facilitator are you?
That’s what my insurance broker asked me recently when I asked for a second quote.
I told her that I facilitate workshops and build facilitation capability.
‘For who?’ she asked.
‘A range of clients in different sectors,’ I replied.
‘About what?’
‘It depends on the purpose,’ I offered, after a pause.
She changed tack. ‘Are you a trainer?’
‘Sometimes. I train teams on how to facilitate meetings and workshops. I coach and mentor trainers on how to facilitate.’
‘Aha! You’re a coach!”
Not exactly. ‘I am a facilitation coach and mentor for individuals, but as a facilitator, I usually works with groups.’
That didn’t help, so I tried an example.
‘I’ve been helping a local council work with their community on how to manage their shrinking budget – basically, what services should they keep, and what should they cut back on.’
‘So, you’re a mediator?’ She was getting desperate.
‘No. I might help people with conflicting ideas have a conversation but I don’t mediate disputes.’
We both sat in a slightly uncomfortable silence.
I decided against telling her that facilitation is a life skill, not just a box to tick on a form. If you’ve ever hosted a party, had friends round for dinner, organised a family picnic, introduced people to each other at drinks, you are facilitating.
I decided to accept the premium for another year, classified as a ‘management consultant’ 🙄.
‘What type of facilitator are you?’ is a challenging question for an insurance broker and a facilitator. But I reckon you’re up for it, because courage is your middle name, or it should be. You need courage to work with every group as the only predictable thing about groups is their unpredictability.
It’s challenging because you are passionate about serving the group. You don’t usually turn the spotlight on yourself.
It is a little confronting. But it’s important because you are the only participant in any group that you can control. You are the most important ‘thing’ that you bring to your facilitation practice.
Photo by RODNAE Productions
So I’ve written a short guide to help you explore this question, The (Fl)awesome Facilitator. It’s for leaders and facilitators to elevate engagement and expand thinking with groups.
It talks about why it’s worth asking the question ‘what type of facilitator am I?’, and introduces a map to help you navigate your response to it.
My guide explores:
Expectations on facilitators
What’s going on in the room
What’s going in a facilitator’s head
Facilitation frets and fears
The (Fl)awesome Facilitator Pathway
The (Fl)awesome Foursome
If you’d like to download a copy, you can get it HERE
I’d love to hear what you think and how it might help you lead meetings and workshops with authentic flair.
Have a (fl)awesome week!
