By Martina Righetti
I've just completed a thrilling facilitation training in the frame of the Erasmus plus project "Fertilizer for Facilitators" co-funded by the European Union!We have been kindly hosted for a week by the Incubator for Italian people, located in the city of Portoroz (Slovenia).
The project aimed at fostering creative and digital skills for artistic facilitators. It has been a big, brave, and insightful journey throughout innovative facilitation methodologies, philosophy, and profession.
Our “ship pilot” (and phenomenal facilitator and trainer) Dr. Jan Lelie has wisely guided us to explore the reality perception matrix based on the book by McWhinney, W. (1997), “Paths of Change”.
Throughout the training, we had the chance to put into practice a significant number of methodologies (e.g. icebreaking, meditation, visualization, brainstorming, mind maps, reframing/rephrasing, stakeholder maps, evaluative dialogue, storytelling/journey of the hero, constellation). Every time we used a methodology, we were also asked to observe our work in action and share some thoughts about what was happening and how (meta-perspective).
We’ve also mentioned and discussed the main requirements of a professional facilitator (also according to IAF certification). Very many meaningful insights have risen from our sessions, like preferring learning over teaching, reading and writing space with our body, the role of language in facilitation, the ability to deal with conflicts, and accepting the unknown. The facilitator has been defined as a ship pilot and shall deal with uncertainties, conflicts, and problems of any kind, although responsibility for the results shall stay with the participants.
In particular, the Reality Perception Matrix has been used to split the functioning of reality into four sectors, corresponding with our way of working and leadership style (unitary/air, sensing/earth, social/water, mythic/fire). Each organization, group, and individuals shift continuously from one sector to another and that’s how reality keeps its uncertain and incomplete consistency. There’s usually a predominant model. Most facilitators are intuitive feelers, so to start a facilitation journey you have to prepare the scenario, the methodology (according to the organization model), and also yourself (being able to recognize your blind spot as well).
The all training has been like a big expedition to the future of facilitation from the perspective of the increasing complexity of this world.
At the end of this insightful training, I feel even more aware of the social and professional impact a facilitator may have (and will have!) in the future. Facilitation is not just a job; it is a real and concrete way to perceive reality and make the future a better place!
Keywords:
Facilitation, Future, Training, Journey, Reality, Methodology, Matrix, Learning.
Minds at work in the final project simulation
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