Category: Facilitation
-
When the Process is the Outcome
It was such a joy to talk with Myriam Hadnes a few weeks ago! If you’d like to listen to our conversation, you can do so here: We spoke about how Learning is supported at Automattic, how we can facilitate transformative learning experiences, and what the true essence of facilitation is. Some highlights from our…
-
Intentional Random Connections
Serendipitous connections, like discovering a shared interest with someone while you’re in line for coffee, look slightly different in distributed organizations. So how do you co-create company wide connection? I joined the wonderful team at Remote:AF to talk about how we created space for this at Automattic, check it out and let me know what…
-
To Async or Sync?
I’m really hopeful about the potential of asynchronous collaboration (Ie. for enabling deeper thinking or flexibility across timezones). I’m also very curious about the conditions necessary for it to be productive. I created the following model to support leaders and facilitators in choosing between these 2 modes of collaboration based on the scenario characteristics. I’m…
-
On Boxing Rings and Bouncing Castles
As facilitators we create containers with our words, the structures we use and our very presence.
-
Self Compassion and the Island of Calm
How is it that we can hold others so much more gently than we hold ourselves? When we make that big mistake at work, or forget something important for our kids, shame, disappointment, fear and even a little self loathing show up. “ How could you be so stupid?” “Maybe you’re not good enough for…
-
Does Async Dialogue need Facilitation?
While async discussion plays out differently to sync dialogue – I believe that both benefit equally from skilful facilitation. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that when async dialogue fails it’s often due to a lack of effective async facilitation. If we see discussion on a spectrum based on the degree of…
-
When Tools Enslave Thinking
A bad workman blames his tools — Daphne du Maurier. In meetings, I wish we blamed our tools more. Instead, I’ve seen that meetings so often become servants to the tools being used. You’re in a meeting and someone has spent a few minutes looking for a way to undo what was just done on…
-
The Checkin Question: Loved by some, hated by many
Have you ever sat in a meeting and been asked to ‘checkin’ with a silly question? If you were an animal, what animal would it be? What is your current weather forecast? I recently met a VP who hates these questions and here’s why I think he’s right… I recently had a conversation with a…