Show what you think

The biggest breakthrough for a mentoring client last week was changing the question he usually puts to groups from ‘what do you think?’ to ‘how do you see it?’.

He told me that he wasn’t very good at reading the room, people’s energy and body language. He was concerned about the lack of energy and interest at his training sessions. 

Think keeps you in your head, with all its distractions, worries and thoughts.

See immediately directs your attention elsewhere.

👁️ What’s right there in front of me?

👁️ What’s a bit hidden?

👁️ What do I see now?

👁️ What could I see there in the future?

👁️ What if we moved this or that? 

I try to take it one step further, whenever I can when I work with groups. 

So rather than asking people to tell planners what they think about their suburb or neighbourhood, I asked them to show what strikes them as they move around their local area – what do they like and don’t like..  

Engagement guaranteed – before, during and after the workshop.

Before, because they shoot a few shots and email them in. There’s a high level of interest and commitment to the process before they’ve even walked into the room.

At the workshop, physically moving to a wall of photos, choosing one (not yours!) and talking about what you see with a stranger, from the same area, generates a buzz.

Much more than just asking them to say what they thought. That would be easier, but not as effective, productive or engaging. 

Everyone notices something that the photographer didn’t. Different perspectives and views emerge.

This simple exercise also helps a group of strangers connect and get used to listening to each other before they have to work together. No need for tedious ‘ground rules’ or a polite ‘group agreement’. They have had to learn to rub along in the ‘doing’, and it works.

In the training room or meeting, switching from ‘what do you think?’ to ‘how do you see it?’ helps to shift thinking and build engagement.

Showing what you think and feel is yet more powerful. Taking photos, out on the street, brings people together and shows decision-makers what people care about. 

For this week’s #Facilitography exercise:

📷 Look for something absolutely ordinary

📷 Take a photo of it on your phone. Every day.

📷 Share it on Instagram or Facebook and tag it #Facilitography. 

Review the photos at the end of the week. What do you see? 

If you’d like to work together, here are 3 ways to get started:

1. Join me for an introduction to #Facilitography - only three left this summer, 5.30pm – 7pm, every fortnight, in the heart of Melbourne:
☐ 26 February
☐ 11 & 25 March

Details and book

2. Work 1:1 with me to uncover your facilitation magic
Comment below and I’ll get back to you with the details of my facilitation mentoring program. 

3. Get a copy of my Insights Paper, Read the room like a street photographer
It’s about why reading the room is vital for productive conversations and how to get better at reading the room with the help of your phone. Comment below I’ll send it to you.