Facilitating With Excellence
By Leonard Kok
8. Walk the ground
I learnt a very memorable lesson in Batam in the not so distant past when I
as the lead facilitator forgot to check the ground, only to find out one hour
before the programme started, in the morning. My heart almost dropped out
of my mouth when I discovered that the entire Low Elements were shifted to
a location which was deemed to be very unsuitable for any programme to
take place. Shocked? Just ask yourself how many times has the Low
Elements moved away from a site? Thankfully, in my situation, the clients
were understanding and a change of activities were put in place and
accepted. I learnt that if we don’t walk the ground, we have to accept the
consequences of our assumptions and plan for the unplanned. Cross-
reference to point 3.
9. Focus on the Objectives
If all of us, from Project Managers to Instructors to fellow facilitators are
focused on the clients’ outcomes and objectives, what is being planned and
what is not planned for (‘screw-ups’) will be managed with a great deal of
understanding. To me, being objective-based will enable us all to focus on
the issue(s) on the ground and not on the person(s). I have had tremendous
satisfaction working with my fellow facilitators who, with one heart and one
mind, tried our best to meet the clients’ objectives by working shoulder to
shoulder, even though our energies were almost sapped. I shall and will
never forget those golden moments.
10. Work as a Team
This goes hand-in-hand with point 7. Coming from a background which
places a great deal of responsibility on the individual, meritocracy and
personal achievement (meaning competition), our society in general needs to
emphasise on the simple synergy which guarantee success. We are team-
building specialists but we could also do with teambuilding ourselves.
Personally, I have also learnt a great deal by focusing on what each part of
the team has to specialize in and not to shoulder everything, even if I am the
lead facilitator. I have also learnt a lot in focusing on the strengths of the
person and letting him or her do the part of the entire project. And I am still
learning, since life is an ongoing adventure.
11. Take an interest in reading
Reading? Where do you find the time, you may ask? An excellent
facilitator first has to know some current affairs so the newspaper ought
to be part of one’s staple diet. Why? We are teambuilding professionals
providing insights to organizations on organizational processes. We are in
fact, professional consultants. Where do these insights come from?
Analysis, observations from journalists and updates enable us to speak
with depth and understanding.
Reading also helps us to build up a repertoire of narratives. Narratives are
powerful tools which are capable of breaking paradigms and providing
catalyst to change and transformation. A narrative, well-told and at the
appropriate moment, provides a great opportunity to shift an
organization’s gear. We have never underestimated the power of the
three construction workers, have we? Which is why we keep on using it.
How do I improve my language? What are the Seven Habits? What kind of
family background did Akio Morita come from? Well, there’s an answer to
every single curious reader, found in the form of a book or a computer
with an internet connection. Further than that, reading as an enjoyment
helps us to grow as a person. There is a book for any enthusiast; there is
a book for any willing reader.
12 Take care of yourself
This seems very self-centred but if we take a look at emergency and non-
emergency procedures, most of the time, one has to take care of himself
or herself before he or she can render assistance to others. In an
emergency on the airplane or ferry, we have to put on lifesaving
equipment before even attempting to save others. In the same vein, we
should take proper rest after programmes and apply sunblock before
going out into the sun, simply because we exhort our participants to do
so. Same theory here. Prepare for the programme, rest well, and the
programme will most likely turn out with better results as our physical
constitution is able to prep well and respond to any unique situation which
arises. This will prevent us from running on an empty tank, which can be
potentially disastrous both for our health and well-being.
Take care of ourselves can also means developing a hobby or a passion.
Start and pursue a hobby. It gives meaning to our growth as a person.
We can most certainly sense the passion when we talk to people who
have hobbies and healthy pursuits in their lives. We may never fully
understand why a person takes up that particular hobby but we certainly
6
will identify with the word ‘Passion’ when the person is able to apply the
same amount of it into his or her work. It would not be far-fetched to say
that people who have hobbies and interests and pursue them will be able
to put that same amount onto the work areas.
13 Don't forget your family or your loved ones
It would be an irony if we are teambuilding specialists and yet we cannot
teambuild with people whom we call the ‘inner-circle’ – the ones who
have a special place in our hearts. Take care of this aspect of our lives
and it will provide more meaning to the things which we do at work.
14 A Spiritual Focus
What if we have prepared well for a programme but some unexpected
things happen? So, what then? Do we feel bad about it? Do we have to
carry the consequences one, two days or weeks after the programme?
Well, I think it’s not necessary. There must be a time and place when
after all that has been planned for, said and done, we must step back and
let go. There could be a reason behind it? Having a spiritual anchor in
one’s life enables one to see life as a part of a whole rather than a
moment, and it provides balance to one’s existence.
I hope the pointers will be useful for the facilitator. A facilitator
never stops learning as facilitation is a skill which is honed over
time and experience. All the best to your facilitation journey and
share your insights!
|
