leader as facilitator: fostering participation kathleen osta vital clarity february 6, 2005

Leader As Facilitator: Fostering Participation

Kathleen OstaVital Clarity

February 6, 2005

© ICA & Vital Clarity from ToP Technology of Participation 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


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


Keys to Using This Method

Know why you’re having the conversation by designing a:1. Rational Aim – what people will know,

decide or understand

2. Experiential Aim – what attitude or mood shift you’d like the group to experience


People Take In Life First

With Their Senses

SENSESSee, Hear, Taste, Feel,

Smell

Objective


HEARTEmotionsMemories

Associations

“Auto” Response Occurs—Emotions,

Feelings Stir

Reflective


We Think About What’s

Going On; Ideas Form

HEADMeaning

ValueSignificance

So now I think…

Interpretive


We Consider Actions, Choices; How To Respond

ACTIONResolution

OpinionDo

Something

Choices

Opinions

Solutions

Resolutions

Actions

Decisional


ORID RecapPeople Take In Life First With Their

Senses

SENSESSee, Hear, Taste, Feel,

Smell

Objective

Interpretive

So now I think…We Think

About What’s Going On; Ideas Form

HEADMeaning

Value Significance

Decisional Choices

Opinions

Solutions

Resolutions

Actions

We Consider Actions,

Choices; How To Respond

ACTIONResolution

OpinionDo Something

Reflective

HEARTEmotions Memories

Associations

“Auto” Response Occurs—Emotions,

Feelings Stir


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


A Memorable Shortcut

Objective What?Reflective Gut?Interpretive So What?Decisional Now What?


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?


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

Tips for Creating Questions


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


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


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


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


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


Contact Information

Kathleen Osta, Vital Clarity: [email protected] 828-253-8343 www.vitalclarity.com

Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) 800-742-4032 www.ica-usa.org

mailto:%[email protected]

http://www.vitalclarity.com/

http://www.ica-usa.org/

leader as facilitator: fostering participation kathleen osta vital clarity february 6, 2005

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