Leader As Facilitator: Fostering Participation

1. Leader As Facilitator: Fostering Participation Kathleen Osta Vital Clarity February 6, 2005

2. Session Objectives • To introduce a facilitation tool that you can use: • In any ICC role • In typical work situations • With your family • To generate practical application possibilities

3. Focused Conversation Method • An approach to guiding conversations based on the way we: • Take in information • React to that information • Make sense of it • Move to action

4. Keys to Using This Method • Know why you’re having the conversation by designing a: • Rational Aim – what people will know, decide or understand • Experiential Aim – what attitude or mood shift you’d like the group to experience

5. People Take In Life First With Their Senses SENSES See, Hear, Taste, Feel, Smell Objective

6. HEART Emotions Memories Associations “Auto” Response Occurs—Emotions, Feelings Stir Reflective

7. So now I think… HEAD Meaning Value Significance We Think About What’s Going On; Ideas Form Interpretive

8. Resolutions ACTION Resolution Opinion Do Something We Consider Actions, Choices; How To Respond Opinions Choices Solutions Actions Decisional

9. SENSES See, Hear, Taste, Feel, Smell People Take In Life First With Their Senses Objective So now I think… “Auto” Response Occurs—Emotions, Feelings Stir HEART Emotions Memories Associations Reflective HEAD Meaning Value Significance We Think About What’s Going On; Ideas Form Interpretive Resolutions ACTION Resolution Opinion Do Something We Consider Actions, Choices; How To Respond Opinions Decisional Choices Solutions Actions ORID Recap

10. Example: Waking Up • The alarm clock rings – Objective • You groan and feel tired or, you are alert and feel rested – Reflective • You remember that you have a morning meeting – Interpretive • You get up and get ready for work – Decisional

11. A Memorable Shortcut Objective What? Reflective Gut? Interpretive So What? Decisional Now What?

12. Possible Uses • Reviewing & interpreting results of a survey • Discussing a report by a task force • Debriefing a shared experience or a change • Where can you imagine using it?

13. Tips for Creating Questions • Avoid “yes” or “no” questions • Try questions yourself, consider flow • Invite entire range of perspectives (like & dislike) • Prepare 3 - 4 “hip pocket” questions at each level

14. Facilitation Tips • Hear from everyone at the Objective-level • Maintain neutrality by withholding your comments • Make questions easy to answer, be ready to paraphrase • Ask open-ended questions

15. More Tips • Adopt an affirming style to all responses; use some variety • Make silence your friend—it means people are actually thinking! • Allow varying perspectives to coexist, no need to resolve differences

16. Small Group Practice • Form groups of 10 • Identify lucky person who will facilitate a prepared conversation • Take 20 minutes to discuss topic • A volunteer to guide feedback to practice facilitator

17. Practicing Back Home • Always do Rational & Experiential Aims first • Practice in low-risk settings • Brainstorm questions that come to mind, then figure out the level • Schedule practice conversations • Rehearse and time yourself

18. Resources • The Art of Focused Conversation, Gen. Editor R. Brian Stanfield. 2000, Canadian Institute for Cultural Affairs. • Winning Through Participation, Laura Spencer. 1989, The Institute of Cultural Affairs

19. Contact Information • Kathleen Osta, Vital Clarity: • kathleen@vitalclarity.com • 828-253-8343 • www.vitalclarity.com • Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) • 800-742-4032 • www.ica-usa.org