One for the collection

Illustration: Jacinta Cubis

Public transport has many benefits beyond being sustainable for the planet and your budget.

Finish that podcast. Catch up on some reading. Respond to those texts. Daydream.

And get advice….

“If you’re intent on beating yourself up, use a soft pillow.’

…as a woman said on the phone to her friend.

Clever. A bit funny. Empathetic, unlike the well-intentioned ‘chin up’ or ‘tomorrow’s another day’.

Advice that recognises its recipient is in a sh&^$# space and probably just needs someone to listen.

Advice with a gentle nudge that might just soften their frown. Make them smile. Even if it’s just on the inside.

It’s a gem that I’ve added to my collection. I’ve already used it with a friend. I’m sure I’ll use it with a client soon.

I’m thinking about my clients who are spreading their facilitation wings. Most are exhilarated when their workshops go well. But some turn up for our sessions with their wings clipped. Their workshop hasn’t gone as they’d hoped. And it’s all their fault.

It rarely is.

Their carefully designed workshop plan cannot account for how people turn up, what state they are in. How much trust is, or isn’t, in the group. They cannot control the goal posts that the client moves on the day. They might not even be able to control the temperature in the room.

About the only thing they really have any control over is themselves. How they turn up, how they respond to the fluidity of groups.

We’ll name at least three things that worked well. We’ll uncover what they learned. And imagine what could be better next time.

But not before they take the time to just be with their disappointment. And the pat of a soft pillow.

Thanks for reading this far.

Stay (fl)awesome!