1 couch talk | highly effective facilitation for every ... … · 7 couch talk | highly effective...

1 Couch TALK | Highly effective facilitation for every leader | Part 2 – Leaders need to learn how to facilitate


Topic 1.01: Ringing the opening bell …………………………………………………………………… page 03

Topic 1.02: Setting ground rules & enlisting engagement ……………………………… page 05

Topic 1.03: Time managing – the agenda & discussions ………………………………… page 07…..……....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Topic 1.04: Prepare your tools & questions ……………………………………………………… page 10

Topic 1.05: Prepare your mind & your agility ………………………………………………….. page 12

Topic 1.06: Pounding the closing bell ……………………………………………………………... page 14

Facilitator Game Plan

“meetings are like herding cats” (we’re essentially ungovernable as individuals and resist any type of collective organization) ….. Jay Vogt


Topic 1.01: Ringing the opening bell

“Primacy” meaning “First” or “Opening” - the most critical moment for your facilitation!

❑ Have you rehearsed your internal “success video”?

- we spoke about this practice in prep-step 5 of the previous podcast.

❑ What’s your pre-opening preamble - music, video, reading material or talking points?

- at the moment of opening, the music & video cease, replaced by a 10 second count down.

❑ Begin with one preferred form of opening dialogue which suits the audience.

- self-introduction, several closed questions or perhaps quote or attention grabbing statement?


Topic 1.01: Ringing the opening bell

The key is to make the approach your own and make it solid Don’t be unsure. At this moment the audience can smell nervousness and it becomes infectious

Additional Notes: ______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________


Topic 1.02: Setting ground rules & enlisting engagement

❑ Have your audience set the ground rules?

- Where it’s possible have the participants split into groups and flip chart their expected ground rules.

- You may need to revisit the rules again at beginning of each subsequent day

❑ Enlist engagement - explain the importance of everyone being together & their time commitment?

- Acknowledge that the unexpected happens & spell out ways to minimise disruption for everyone?

❑ Elect or appoint a table’s coach?

- This person assumes the responsibility for herding and encouraging their group

Challenge the groups to respect each other’s wishes.


Topic 1.02: Setting ground rules & enlisting engagement

Be clear on your expectation that when present in the room,

participants are also present with their minds so that everyone benefits from their contribution.


___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________


Topic 1.03: Time managing – the agenda & discussions

Take a break, stretch, maybe go for a walk, do some exercise, discuss your learnings with a friend.Reflect on the journey so far & consider your present state versus the suggested state.

❑ Assume the role of the “time gate keeper”

❑ Participants want to understand;

- what the agenda looks like

- what are the topics and durations

- when are the breaks & finish times

❑ Plan carefully - presentations, activities, discussions

❑ Live the ground rules

❑ Don’t allow your breaks to run over scheduled time

❑ Maintaining engagement helps with responsiveness

❑ React to signals of restlessness and boredom

❑ Utilize the table coach to assist with engagement

❑ Use a variety of learning styles and methods


Topic 1.03: Time managing – the agenda & discussions

Go back to your “Pre-event checklist” and read through the material. Are there any additional comments which you would like to add now.


___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________


Facilitator event journey map

Ringing the opening bell

Setting ground rules & enlisting

engagement

Creating pulse checks and parking lots

Time managing –the agenda & discussions

Managing challenging situations

Pounding the closing bell

The journey continues long after the event has concluded

Signifies opportunity for strengthing audience engagement

Critical stage

Critical stage

Critical stage

PRIMACY

RECENCY

At each point, what is your unique quality, your memorable experience which you create as part of your calling card?


Topic 1.04: Prepare your tools & questions

❑ Practice the 6-7 times review process.?

❑ Introduce the “Pulse Check” into your repertoire;

During the workshop, you say to the audience,

- let’s pause, catch our breath,

- consider what we have covered,

- consider where we are now and what’s left to cover

As part of your toolkit you need to have a way of minimising the impact of the unexpected and learn how to accommodate it so as to keep the flow of proceedings.

❑ Introduce the “Parking Lot” into your repertoire

❑ Ask questions to determine level of understanding?

❑ Place unanswered questions/topics on Parking Lot

- ask audience to write questions on sticky notes.

❑ Introduce reflection & review activities such as;

- the “Art Gallery” or “Greek Philosophers” exercise


Topic 1.04: Prepare your tools & questions

Provide every opportunity to stay “Participant Centred” and help your audience to think, feel and do.


___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________


Topic 1.05: Prepare your mind & your agility

Leaders need at least the most fundamental understanding about what generates individual thoughts, emotions and actions.

❑ Understand human belief, motivation and trigger systems.

- How individuals behave in different situations, with different stresses & different surroundings

❑ Be aware that human nature ensures that we are all unique.

- we each see the world differently, with our own thoughts, ideas and expectations.

❑ Leave your own ideas, beliefs and emotions, parked on the sideline.

❑ Give people the opportunity to air their concerns or difference of opinion.

- Practice active listening and thank participants for sharing an alternate perspective.


Topic 1.05: Prepare your mind & your agility

At the end of the day it takes practice, but the important learning is that it’s a process which needs to be played out professionally rather than shut down abruptly.


___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________


Topic 1.06: Pounding the closing bell

Your close is the SECOND MOST IMPORTANT moment of the event and your ability to bring the workshop to the climax it deserves needs your effort and planning.

❑ Summarize the entire workshop

- Summarizing should be thought provoking rather than just a repeat of the previous dialogue

❑ Close on a high

- Consider creating a competition, with the prize linked to the next portion of the journey

❑ Make a “Call to Action”.

- join us in Part 3, the final episode in this trilogy, to learn the secrets ☺


Topic 1.06: Pounding the closing bell

A “Call to Action” which could at least help keep the spark alive, perhaps long enough for the new ideas to take hold and see the light of day.


___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

1 couch talk | highly effective facilitation for every ... … · 7 couch talk | highly effective...

Documents