Facilitation for when feelings run high

Next week I will facilitate one of the most challenging encounters that our company deals with. We have been brought in part way through a process for a new Busway.  It has been contentious and complex from the start, with understandable strong feelings on all sides – the public, contractors, politicians, local authority officials, interest groups, expert witnesses and so on.  Part of our job is to lower the ‘temperature’ enough to be able to have constructive conversations together – not easy if there is little trust to work with in the first place. But by not having the conversations, everybody loses out. The temptation is to choose the path of least conflict and resistance, bounce decisions through and hope others come on board.  This simply breeds distrust, and stores up trouble for later.

Equally in the training room, people sometimes say contentious things, that are perhaps borderline hurtful or prejudiced.  I do not collude with bad behaviour or allow people to get away with saying things that are upsetting to others.  But the temptation is always to close it down too quickly in some way, hoping it wasn’t taken or meant in the way it might have sounded.  Any place where people are talking openly together can be a learning environment, and so long as there is a simple framework around it, the talker should be invited to say more about what he/she means, and for others to hold back. Simply by being able to express themselves is in itself part of a healthy process.  Usually people ‘row back’ from the initial absoluteness of what they have said, because they have heard themselves say something aloud which they recognise is perhaps a bit strong, unrealistic or whatever.

The challenge at this stage is for everyone to hold back from piling into a point-scoring exercise.  This takes courage on the part of one person (usually the chair/facilitator) to ask them to say a bit more about what they have said.  This is counter-intuitive, but is worthwhile.  The talker then says more, and as they speak will achieve some kind of internal recognition about what they are saying, except of course the most brazen, or resolute, or closed-minded.  At least then everyone knows what they are dealing with, and if it is wrong or racist or hurtful, it is arguably healthier to be said out loud than behind backs.  Usually there is then an opportunity to develop constructive conversations one-to-one.

Monthly Articles


Fantastic course [Motivational Interviewing]! Totally relevant, understandable, practical and interesting. I look forward to using the skills and tools I learned. I was particularly impressed with Alasdair Cant. He is a brilliant trainer, knowledgeable, patient, engaging and clearly skilled at facilitating groups ensuring fun and learning.

Youth Justice Worker

I thought the course was very powerful and has given me tools to approach my job positively!

Social Worker

Excellent course, I liked the visual examples, it helps to reinforce learning. Great trainer and very attentive to pace and understanding of the group

Participant

Excellent course [Motivational Interviewing]. I recommend it to all staff working within the Youth Offending Service.

Youth Justice Worker

The course content and delivery were excellent. The learning outcomes I achieved were highly relevant to my field of work. I highly recommend this training to all professionals that work with clients.

Youth Justice Manager, London

This was a stimulating and inspiring course for me. I found that it reminded me of some of the core areas and pleasures of my therapeutic working.

Occupational Therapist

I thought the course was very powerful and has given me tools to approach my job positively!

Social Worker

Alasdair is one of the best trainers I've experienced - very knowledgeable, calm and interesting. A wonderful and rewarding experience.

Social Worker

I thought the course was very powerful and has given me tools to approach my job positively!

Social Worker

Alasdair was extremely patient, a good listener, and helped to prise my feelings out of me even when I didn’t necessarily understand them myself!

Arts Manager (Coaching)

Participative and vibrant discussion whilst adhering to a learning framework. Good time boundaries. Good role play. Learned a lot.

Child Protection Worker

Nicely paced, appropriately interactive, very facilitative, fine to ask questions. Actually enjoyable!

Probation Officer, Essex

This training course [Training the Trainer] has been the best one I've attended. Alasdair was very competent in delivering all we needed to know. The course was inspirational, not just an ordinary training course. I had a lot of fun and I would strongly recommend this course for anyone who needs to deliver training within their work.

Equality & Diversity Officer, Westminster PCT

We could not have asked for a better trainer or training programme. Alasdair is open, engaging and encouraging. The days flew by. I have learned an incredible amount without feeling overloaded.

Early Support Development Co-ordinator, London

This training [Motivational Interviewing] should be compulsory for all staff, but only if delivered at this high standard.

Mental Health Team leader

Excellent course, very relevant to my role as an ISS YOT specialist. Very good role play and theoretical content. Good overview of a complicated style of working with young people, but looks so easy when done well.

Youth Justice Manager, London

Each day of the course brought new experiences and new learning. It was extremely interactive, thought provoking and valuable. I will thoroughly recommend this course [Training the Trainer] to my colleagues. The facilitator was excellent. Thank you!

Training & Learning Development Co-ordinator, London

This has been a useful refresher course for me as I have been reminded about the key principles behind Motivational Interviewing that I had neglected to use

Participant

The quality of the facilitation was excellent and helped us explore potentially emotive topics in a very professional manner.

Team Manager, Westminster

The training was delivered in a clear and respectful manner. Alasdair made the course engaging and interesting for the participants.

Senior Arts Manager

Very positive training with a knowledgeable and skillful trainer. The group engagement was very positive and a lot of leaning took place between the group.

Participant

Thank you for coming today and providing such a good foundation for our staff. I could see they were very engaged all day and that is exactly what I hoped for. The information was pitched at the right level and I hope you are pleased with feedback.

Commissioner, Clinical Lead Mental Health, London PCT

Fantastic course [Motivational Interviewing]! Totally relevant, understandable, practical and interesting. I look forward to using the skills and tools I learned. I was particularly impressed with Alasdair Cant. He is a brilliant trainer, knowledgeable, patient, engaging and clearly skilled at facilitating groups ensuring fun and learning.

Youth Justice Worker

Rare delivery style and facilitation by Alasdair. Excellent - very relaxed, informal, detailed and knowledgeable, but easily digestible and pitched at the right level.

Probation Officer, Hertfordshire

This training course [Training the Trainer] has been the best one I've attended. Alasdair was very competent in delivering all we needed to know. The course was inspirational, not just an ordinary training course. I had a lot of fun and I would strongly recommend this course for anyone who needs to deliver training within their work.

Equality & Diversity Officer, Westminster PCT

It has been so valuable to have the space for the team to come together and talk about aspects of their work in a supportive environment

Senior Arts Manager

Brilliant day - glad I came...very stimulating and beneficial.

Voluntary Sector Project Manager

Enjoyable and productive. I found your facilitation was calm and relaxed but also purposeful which drew good contributions from the team. Thank you.

Participant

Nice to get a chance to hash out things with the team in a ‘safe’ environment

Senior Arts Manager

An enjoyable day, open, engaging and tangible outcomes. I was able to participate but listened to colleagues with I hope an open mind and will consider views on reflection. Tangible outcomes for us to take forward and I have a clarity of where we need to go next. I am inspired but empowered to question! Thanks Alasdair.

Participant