AUTHENTIC FACILITATOR: AM I? CAN I? SHOULD I?

Being seen as authentic and genuine as a facilitator can often help smooth a process and engage the group with you. In this facilitated discussion we want to explore what this often holy grail of facilitation means to us and whether it is possible or desirable?

What does it mean to be authentic? What are the signs that indicate we are authentic in our role? Is the opposite of being authentic, being fake? Can you consciously work on your authenticity as a skill set as a facilitator? Is it more challenging to be authentic in virtual settings or when you are being filmed/photographed? Does having to use a microphone/podium create a barrier for your authentic self to emerge?

Does being authentic sometimes come into conflict with the desire for facilitators to be neutral? Do we sometimes have to dial down our authentic responses to maintain the neutrality of our facilitation process?

This interactive workshop will give you the chance to talk to each other about experiences of being authentic and what kinds of behaviours we observe in other facilitators as signs of authenticity. Our focus will be on interesting conversations with the minimum of technology, beyond Zoom and breakout rooms.

You can access the agenda here:

Register for the session here (spaces limited to 30)