Simple, right? But getting to simple took a while. That’s because there are so many variables in facilitating a meeting: the Audience dynamic; the Atmosphere or energy of place and people, organizational stuff; the Action or plot, the sequence of events, like an agenda; and then the Actor, the authentic Facilitator who strives to be solid in their critical role.
As those variables fuel a live meeting, the Facilitator may scramble for what is best to do or say, especially when challenged. Points of decision, when facilitating, can be stressful and seem to go on forever.
That’s why two solid things--TASK, what is to be accomplished in the meeting, and TIME, the construct in which the task is to be completed--become places of respite for the Facilitator. In fact, TASK and TIME really back up the Facilitator in their role. They are the two things the Facilitator can always trust to help wrestle a lively briefing back on track.
Cool thing is, workshop participants get to safely practice the “what-do-I-say-when” challenges and find what’s best for them in their unique style. And design t-shirts of their own along the way!
#facilitationskills #meetingleader #briefingingease #meetingease #customerengagement
