Master the 6 Principles of Super Power Facilitators (and strategists, marketers, leaders)
A Facilitator's Approach to Knowledge Navigation
Meetings are a waste of time; you probably have heard or said it. I know I have. And collaborative meetings suck sometimes (or most of the time).
That’s because the person leading the meeting sticks to reading an agenda, sucking everyone’s energy and going in infinite circles. (Like calling support service to help solve a problem.)
However, a meeting leader is a facilitator who unwraps meeting participants’ knowledge and experience toward an actionable outcome.
The thing is, no one teaches us the basics- how to do that.
But- what if you could learn the basics to solve problems together without feeling like you took a sleeping pill?
Here are six guiding principles of Super Facilitators to become a better leader.
Super Facilitator Guiding Principles:
Be the Guide: Think of a facilitator like your friendly tour guide, but instead of showing landmarks, you’re guiding the team through discussions and activities. You keep things on track, ensuring everyone's heard and heading in the right direction. It's like having a GPS for your meeting!
Manage Energy: Picture this: you're at a concert, and the band is pumping high-energy tunes. That's the vibe you bring as a facilitator brings! You’re like Freddie Mercury or Taylor Swift, hyping the crowd and keeping everyone engaged at all times. With that energy, ideas flow, and teamwork thrives!
Strong Start and End: Ever notice how a movie with a powerful opening scene captures you? Well, facilitation is no different! Starting strong grabs everyone's attention while ending with a bang leaves a lasting impression. It's like crafting the perfect beginning and ending to a great story!
Set Expectation: Remember when you were on a road trip and had a plan mapped out? Setting expectations in facilitation is just like that! It's about laying out the roadmap so everyone knows where they are going and what to expect along the way.
Be aware of the Course of Knowledge: Imagine teaching advanced algebra to a group. Each lesson builds on what you've learned before, so you skip steps. But only some group members know what you know, so they get lost. That’s how the course of knowledge can derail you. Break down topics with a beginner’s mind, making it easier for everyone to absorb and understand. It's like having a personal tutor leading you through the material!
Don’t be afraid to Improvise: Have you ever been to an outdoor wedding, and it started raining during the event? You know you have to switch up plans on the fly. Facilitators are masters of improvisation! Roll with the punches and adapt quickly to keep things running smoothly. You’re the captain of your ship, sailing with finesse through rough waters.
As we wrap up, remember that being a good facilitator can make a powerful difference in your life and career. So, let's start using the six principles and harness the transformative power of effective facilitation to drive meaningful change and success.
Make Magic Happen!