How To Become a Master Facilitator

Sep 25, 2023

Today I’m starting a new series of videos that I’m really excited for you to get to check out. We’re going to take a look at me actually putting some of these concepts and activities I talk about into practice. You’ll be able to watch live as I work with a group I recently had the great honor of speaking with in Lexington. I encouraged them to pick a card, each having an image on one side and a quote on the other. Their task was simple: Connect with someone nearby, whether in front, behind, or beside them, and discuss the card’s relevance or irrelevance to their line of work.

What Matters In The Next 75 Minutes

What we do within a limited time frame, say 75 minutes, truly matters only if it aligns with what we genuinely care about and aim to achieve. Beginning a dialogue is essential. However, there’s a caveat: the question driving that dialogue has to be pertinent. It should make people ponder, “What am I intending to achieve?”

While many might argue that having similar roles makes this question redundant, I’d like to contest that. Yes, similar jobs might be in different districts, catering to different students and families, but the essence remains. Therefore, the actual query I’m driving at is two-fold: What are you aiming for, and why is that aim significant to you?

Even though we often find comfort in familiar groups, there’s immense value in stepping outside our circles. A fresh perspective, a new insight, can often be the missing piece in our puzzle. Thus, I invite everyone to change seats, engage with someone new, and share insights on their goals and the importance behind them.

Feedback and Sharing

Addressing a group without a microphone can be challenging. I tried it and realized that not only do feedback issues arise, but also the message might not reach everyone in the room. However, when we share, it’s vital to focus not just on our own thoughts but to genuinely listen to others.

What stood out for me was the diversity of aims: from creating vulnerability in mentor programs to serving the underserved. Some spoke about their experiences living in indigenous communities, while others shared aspirations for their new roles in unfamiliar communities. The objective remains the same – to understand, connect, and make a meaningful impact.

In the end, it’s essential to remember that sometimes, even if we forget the climax of our story or the core message we wanted to convey, it might mean that the time isn’t right. Maybe, just maybe, the universe has a different plan. But for those moments when the message is clear, I encourage everyone to share, connect, and inspire.