Hi friend,
I’m sitting here in Tampa enjoying a cool morning. It’s chillier than I expected it to be, but it is December I suppose. I am in Florida as part of a Mastermind encounter. I’m with seven other professional speakers, all staying in one big AirBnB. I got here Thursday around noon and leave on Sunday afternoon. It’s been non-stop since I showed up. I’ve gone to bed at midnight these last two nights, which is unheard of!
There is a ninth person here, who is also a professional speaker, but she is acting as our facilitator, which has been absolutely fabulous. I signed up for this experience primarily to get be around her. I didn’t know who else was going to be here. I’ve crossed paths at a conference with one other person here, otherwise I didn’t know any of them. It’s been interesting.
When I say interesting, it’s not in air quotes. I really have been intrigued by the characters who are here and how they are approaching life and business. I don’t suspect I would have spent this much time with any of them individually, but this collective approach has generated an environment for learning, building relationships, being encouraged and gaining exposure to new ideas.
I’m trying to listen and learn. You might be surprised to hear I’m speaking much less than the majority. Go figure. A room full of speakers who like to talk! Thankfully, I’ve decided to be as curious as possible and not just offer my opinion because I have one.
Each of our gatherings have had a loose structure, primarily built around questions. Some have been uniquely individual, some have been answered by the group. Last night we used a book called “The Book of Answers” which is just one line responses. You randomly open it and then determine the question. Then others comment. It took 3.5 hours.
Facilitation is Better Than Free Flow
If we didn’t have Sylvie our facilitator, who is German and serious about her timer, we would still probably be rambling on from our initial encounter and questions. Having someone not just define and design the parameters, but also enforce them, has been essential.
I would like to have a personal facilitator follow me around everywhere. That would be so useful!
“Greg it’s not your turn to speak.”
“Greg your time is up.”
“Greg here is what we’d like to hear from you.”
“Greg we’re moving on now.”
Of course it could also be useful for those with whom I’m engaging: “I’m sorry you’ll need to stop talking now.” 🙂
The facilitator does so much more than keep time. She also makes sure people are digging into their responses. Not just giving surface answers, but reaching within to find greater meaning or motivation. Then prompting othersto contribute in meaningful ways to that person. The direct subtlety and finesse required to compel, while inviting, is incredibly powerful.
You & I could benefit from a personal facilitator!
Since Sylvie won’t be following either of us around, I wonder how we could incorporate some facilitation into our daily lives?
Are you addressing the underlying issue?
Are you talking too much?Are you contributing to others?
Are you inviting others in?
Are you saying all that needs to be said?
Of course knowing when to stop and move on would be useful as wel
Instigating Ideas…
1. Who are you being exposed to so your life can expand?
2. What questions should you be asking yourself heading into 2022?
3. Who do you trust to invite into the conversation?
4. How could you benefit from self-facilitation?
I am participating in this Mastermind, so I can grow as a person and as a business. I’m open to total strangers offering their thoughts. I’m also aware they lack context, but sometimes that’s what’s most beneficial. They’re not skewed by my past efforts, successes and failures. Simply listening to how they approach life and business has been insightful.
I’ve really come to appreciate the facilitator, as you can tell. I’m extremely hopeful I can incorporate self-facilitation skills that benefit me and others. I wonder how we could facilitate the conversations that happen in our minds between ourself and ourself? “Siri, set the timer and make sure neither of the voices in my head slips out before I’ve determined which is preferred.”