When asked how he’s shaking things up at Ford Model’s, John Caplan said, "I’m more like the conductor of an orchestra, than an old-fashioned executive.” Does that describe your approach?
Caplan's orchestra metaphor reminds us that wherever you spot insights or innovations at a deeper level you’ll also see a maestro conductor, or facil
itator. So why does it rarely happen?
Instead of the fine interchanges found in peak-performance orchestras, you often find potentially good discussions truncated instead, because:
- one voice dominates
- strong demands for one-sided view
- a few people diminishing other voices
- anger rising whenever topics heat up
While topnotch catalyst skills can be mastered by most … they rarely show up at firms, that lack facilitation’s finer points. Here are 5 mind-bending tactics championed at the
1. Create a pace slow enough to challenge reluctant participants, while at the same time quick enough to motivate more vociferous staff.
2. Hear participants’ perspectives, so that each offering made is valued and woven into the wider discussion’s fabric.
3. Withhold personal views in favor of learning from and expanding new ideas from all opposing views expressed.
4. Ensure all speak and feel heard, by affirming the positive and downplaying disrespectful or negative comments.
5. Formulate an action plan based on a culmination of ideas presented on both sides in ways that bring mutually beneficial results to the group’s wider community.
What top facilitation skills enable deep dives into key issues where you work?
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