I read with great interest, the blog by steven list about Facilitation patterns (its also about a whole lot of other things Agile related)
It goes through a lot of different characters of facilitators in an engaging way – dare I say also provides a good opportunity to look at one’s own behaviour in meetings and question my communication techniques are as positive as I’d want them to be!
I’m so delighted that you observed the “…opportunity to look at one’s own behaviour in meetings…” – that’s one of the desired outcomes of my writing and of the learning game I developed for Agile2009. One of my favourite exchanges at Agile2009, after my session:
Participant: “As a coach and facilitator, I tend to be more neutral in meetings. In taking on the role for this game, I became quite dominant. This caused others to hold back. Perhaps you should restructure the game to prevent this.”
Me: “Perhaps. And perhaps this is an opportunity for you to recognize your natural style and deal with it.”
Participant: “Oh. Oh!” “I think you’re right.”
Much of this work comes out of introspection as much as observation. Thanks for sharing this.
…Doc