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Master
Facilitator Journal | Issue #0248, March 21, 2006 ....
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Dear
friends,
Much of the trouble we encounter with communication lies in unspoken
assumptions--ideas that we've accepted as true without verification.
When we react to our assumptions, we react to the unreal, and often,
to the projections of our worst fears. As facilitators, we provide
a great service when we help people get conscious of their assumptions,
which often present huge barriers to clear communication and understanding.
This week's article, "Turn on Your Crap Detector,"
offers an exercise for us each to experience our own assumptions
and some guidelines for detecting and moving through them in our
work with groups.
FacilitatorU News
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Have a great week!
Steve
Davis
Publisher
Turn
on Your Crap Detector
Cultivate
your ability to detect and expose assumptions
"In order to be a great writer, a person must have a built-in, shockproof
crap detector."
--Ernest Hemingway--
This quote by Hemingway,
as a writer for writers, applies equally well to facilitative leaders.
So often we communicate with one another through unspoken assumptions
and agendas, often without realizing it. Unconscious assumptions present
huge barriers to clear communication and understanding.
As group leaders, one of the most powerful things we can do is to act
as detectives in search of assumptions, rout them out, and expose them
for what they are, ideas that we've accepted as true without verification.
Once our insidious assumptions are discovered and labeled, deeper relationships
can be cultivated based on mutual respect and understanding. But when
we react to our assumptions, we react to the unreal, and often, to the
projections of our worst fears.
Are you operating
free of assumptions?
It's possible, but unlikely. Ponder the following story then revisit this
question.
What choice would you make?
A group of children are playing near two railway tracks - one set
of tracks is still in use while the other isn't. Only one child plays
on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train comes,
and you are beside the track interchange. You realize you could make the
train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids.
However, this would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track
would be sacrificed.
What would you do? Let the train take its predetermined course
or intervene to save all but one of the children?
Take a pause to think what kind of decision you would make...
Analyze the situation...
Think and reflect...
Decide on your answer and write down the assumptions you made.
What do your choices say about your assumptions?
Many would choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice
only one child. To save most of the children at the expense of only one
child is a rational decision, morally and emotionally.
But, did you consider that the child playing on the disused track had
in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place? And the other
children were aware of the risk and are in a better position to be alert
and run from the danger when they hear the train?
If the train
were diverted, that lone child would likely die because he wouldn't think
the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was probably
not in use because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the other
track, the lives of all passengers on board could be at stake as well!
This kind of
dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics
and especially in a democratic society - the minority is often sacrificed
for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the
majority is, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority is.
There is an
unspoken assumption that sacrificing the minority for the majority is
the 'right' thing to do, but challenging this assumption with the train
story brought to light far more layers to the situation.
While we are
all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we
may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right ones.
"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular
isn't always right."
Detecting assumptions
How do we detect assumptions? David Bohm, quoted by Peter Senge in the
"Fifth Discipline," identifies three types of incoherence in
our thinking that lead to assumptions:
1. Denial that you are a participant (It's not my fault! Look at
what they did!)
2. You stop tracking with reality and start running your program (did
you run a societal program in the exercise above to make your choice?).
3. You establish your own standard of reference for fixing problems,
problems this frame contributed to creating in the first place (e.g.
when someone harms us, we have to harm them in return).
Three conditions necessary for true "dialogue
Senge goes on to suggest three conditions necessary for true "dialogue":
1. All participants
must "suspend" their assumptions, literally to hold them
"as if suspended before us."
2. All participants must regard one another as colleagues.
3. There must be a "facilitator" (that's you!) who "holds
the context" of dialogue (i.e. attends to group process).
Think of a task or problem you are working on right now. Chances are, you have some assumptions about the situation or people involved. Use the above criteria for detecting assumptions to figure out what they are. Are you on the defense - placing blame elsewhere? Are you acting out of your usual patterns or habits? Or are you operating in the moment? I look forward to your comments, insights or feedback about this article - just click reply and type them directly into this email.
We grow by recommendation only when you find our material of use! If you enjoyed this issue, we'd love it if you'd spread the word. Click here to use our interactive form to tell your friends about MFJ, and as a thank you, you will receive our free Facilitator's Self Assessment.
Calling all facilitators, trainers, coaches
and group leaders...
Have
you considered offering a workshop as a more efficient way to deliver
training, enhance group learning and generate more income for your
business?
When done right, workshops are very effective ways to deliver top-notch training programs to groups. But this is often overshadowed by the misconception that workshops are complicated to create and deliver.
Remove the fear and uncertainty of workshop design with this 5-day teleclass series: The Secrets to Designing Dynamic Workshops from Scratch, led by Steve Davis and Marion Franklin.
This class covers all the elements of workshop design using a simple, well-organized, and proven approach. This course, that you can take from the comfort of your own home or office, is for facilitators, trainers, coaches, who want to design relevant, engaging, experiential workshops for groups using a simple, proven formula that's easy to apply to any workshop topic.
| Many thanks for a great experience. I received enough value before the first class to justify all of my costs – and it just kept getting better! I am now really looking forward to creating and delivering my upcoming workshop on retirement success -- can't honestly say that was true before the workshop. -- Doug Leland, Executive Coach & Retirement Specialist |
Learn how to create a workshop that will entice your audience and deliver your message in a way that is impactful and memorable. By the end of the 5 days, you will:
- Have learned how to chose a compelling topic for a workshop.
- Have a new tool-belt of exercises and coaching skills to help enhance learning.
- Have a simple formula for creating workshops in any topic area.
- Have completed the design of your own workshop, following Marion's 7-step approach.
- Have learned how workshops can led to increased income for your professional practice.
- And much more..
When...
April 17th-21st, 2006, 10:00 AM Pacific, 1:00 PM Eastern
(NY Time), one hour each day.
How
the 5-Day Format/Training works...
1. Dial into your class every day for 5 days (Mon-Fri) for
a 60-minute focused training segment using a conferencing bridge.
2. Work through a workbook during the 5 days (about an hour
a day of study and field work) which will lead you through the
design of your own workshop (optional).
3. You will have the opportunity to discuss issues on the subject
matter with the instructor and your classmates via an online discussion
forum during the course.
4. Access to the instructors via email for specific help.
Course
Outline...
Here's what you'll be learning and doing during the 5-Day course...
Monday
Introduction to Workshop Design and Framing
Your Message
- Choosing a Great Topic, whether it's chosen for you or not.
- Designing a Fresh, Memorable Title
- Developing an Overriding Message
- Design your own workshop week
Tuesday
Being
Prepared: 10 Critical Behind the Scenes Strategies
- Know Your Audience
- Resolve Introduction Issues
- Room Arrangements
- Presentation Equipment/Accessories
- Handouts
- Workshop highlights
- Practice your presentation
- Dress professionally
- Wear your own nametag
- Eliminate Gaps
Wednesday
Knitting it All Together
- Managing the three stages of a workshop
- "The Beginning"
- Building Trust and Rapport
- Setting the Stage and Tone
- Clarifying Objectives and Ground rules
- Introductions
- Icebreakers - "The Middle"
- Delivering the content
- Delivering your overriding message
- Delivering experiences
- Leaving them with inspired curiosity - "The End"
- Reinforce learning and overriding message.
- Clarify additional resources
- Short promo about your services - JIT Coaching
Thursday
Experiential
Exercises and Just-In-Time
Coaching.
- Creating Experiential
Exercises
- Reflect on your experiences
- Read about and reflect on the topic
- Consult Exercise sources
- Gather supporting material
- Generalize Observations - Delivering
Experiential Exercises
- The Kolb Learning Cycle
- Timing
- Adjusting to group specific needs
- Managing emotional elements - JIT Coaching
- Permission
- Observe, question, comment
Friday
Icing
on the Cake
- 7 Tips to polish your
workshop
- Be yourself
- Marketing Tips
- Client relationship building
- Extended relationships with participants.
- Join Online Training Networks
- Manage your time wisely
- Handle difficult participants - Individual Coaching and Q&A
5 Free bonuses included with your
training...
In addition to the 5-Day training described above, you also receive:
1. Free copy of the 7 Simple Secrets to Successful Workshops
($30 value)
2. Free access to audio interview with instructional design
expert, Marg Wall for yet another perspective on workshop
design in this one-hour session,
"How to Design Winning Workshops and Seminars that Inspire
and Engage Your Audience." ($20 value)
This comes with 3 additional bonuses.See details
here.
3. Free
access to the RealAudio version of the 5-Day training.
4. Participation on the class listserve to share questions
and opportunities with your peers.
5. Access to Steve and Marion for virtual coaching on this subject
throughout the week.
Pricing...
Our price for this class is only $89 including a free copy of the
7 Simple
Secrets to Successful Workshops ($30 value) and "How to Design
Winning Workshops" package ($20 value). Everything you read about
above is included. And, we offer a 100%-satisfaction-guaranteed guarantee.
Dates...
April
17th-21st, 2006, 10:00 AM Pacific, 1:00 PM Eastern (NY Time),
one hour each day.
"You gave us such great tips on how to organize and run a
workshop. I now feel more confident and can't wait to schedule my
next workshop."
Registration...
Immediately
upon completion of your registration, you will receive an email with
instructions to access the phone bridge, listserve, and teleclass
workbook.
.
Click
here to register
Register by April 1st for only $79
Self-Guided
5-Day Real Audio Version
If you'd like to learn this
material at your own pace and on your own schedule, you can purchase
the real audio version of this teleclass complete with the workbook
and all the other bonuses above. You'll be provided with access to
recorded offerings of the five-hour teleclass (5 hours total) that
you can listen to online and follow along in the workbook used in
the live class.
Self-Guided
Click
here to purchase the
Real Audio Version for $69.
Self-Guided
5-Day CD Version
The Compact Disk (CD) version
comes with all of the self-guided features listed above, together
with 5 CD's you'll receive by mail that you can listen to anywhere
you have access to a CD player.
Self-Guided
Click
here to purchase the CD
Version for $79
plus $4 Shipping and Handling
FacilitatorU.com Membership Option
Become a member of FacilitatorU.com premium member and receive this
self-guided teleclass at half price in addition to a host of other
items and benefits. An exceptional value. Click
here for details.
One-Day Live Version
Interested
in a one-day "live" version of this class offered to your
group? Contact us to
discuss options.
About
Marion
Marion Franklin is a Professional Certified Life Coach who coaches individuals and groups regarding personal and professional change, focus, human relations, and conflict management. Marion has coached managers at major corporations including PepsiCo, Toys’R’Us, and Reader’s Digest. She conducts and helps clients design workshops and presentations, has been a featured presenter at meetings, retreats, and an ongoing Women’s Workshop Series, has been cited in The Journal News and The Wall Street Journal, and has appeared on local Cable Television.
Testimonials
Listen
to what others have said about previous classes on workshop design
with Marion Franklin...
What a great workshop! I'm looking forward to implementing what I
gleaned from this workshop into my own workshops.
The class was packed! I loved it! It was so helpful and moved at a
nice clip. I have created workshops for 10 years and this gave me
some information that I had missed!! Well delivered and engaging.
I learned a lot. It is definitely an art.
Excellent class. I am in the process of developing two different workshops
and this class helped me get over a hump with both of them!
Here are
what people are saying about Marion's book, "7 Simple Secrets
to Successful Workshops" which comes with this course...
7 Simple Secrets to Successful Workshops is a fabulous resource. I
have avoided putting a workshop together for over two years, for fear
of how to begin, how to put it together, how to be sure it lasts long
enough, what to say, and how to not make a complete fool out of myself.
After reading this ebook, I feel like I could put together a workshop
that I would be proud of by this afternoon.
7 Simple
Secrets To Successful Workshops makes it easy for coaches, trainers
and facilitators who are new to developing and delivering workshops.
I wish this material had been available when I began my own workshops,
but this eBook reminds me to stick to the basics when developing new
workshops.
About
the satisfaction guarantee
If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with this training, simply
email us with a request to refund/credit your credit card in the full
amount and we will do so immediately. It's our policy to do this and
we honor this in every single case.
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