Cynthia La Grou asked for some of my online facilitation wisdom, wondering "how to best create a sense of place and purpose in a stream of conversation". Here's what I came up with. As yet unrefined.
BEFORE GATHERING
- Clarify the intention that is pulling the project. Get as specific as possible.
- To maximize coherence, create a closed/secret group. An open group will decohere.
- Listen closely to people before inviting them, so you understand their intent and alignment. You don't need agreement but you need alignment.
- Invite people by telling them "I'm forming a group to achieve X. You might be in a position to play role Y." Make it exciting, for them and for you.
IN THE GROUP
- Make it an adventure. Make sure no one knows exactly how the experiment will turn out. Make yourself vulnerable but be determined.
- Exercise Host Leadership (http://hostleadership.ning.com/page/about)
- Express gratitude for contributions that move the ball forward. Be emotionally involved, and take the opportunity to build narrative in so doing.
- Do not reinforce contributions that do not move the ball forward.
- Form triads. When person A offers something, join them with person B who can engage meaningfully with it.
- Ask powerful questions to liberate energy and strategic questions to create motion. See http://www.thechangeagency.org/_dbase_upl/strat_questioning_man.pdf
- Have one-on-one conversations with key contributors. Take their pulse on how things are going. Be open to influence.
Cynthia La Grou asked for some of my online facilitation wisdom, wondering "how to best create a sense of place and purpose in a stream of conversation". Here's what I came up with. As yet unrefined.
BEFORE GATHERING
- Clarify the intention that is pulling the project. Get as specific as possible.
- To maximize coherence, create a closed/secret group. An open group will decohere.
- Listen closely to people before inviting them, so you understand their intent and alignment. You don't need agreement but you need alignment.
- Invite people by telling them "I'm forming a group to achieve X. You might be in a position to play role Y." Make it exciting, for them and for you.
IN THE GROUP
- Make it an adventure. Make sure no one knows exactly how the experiment will turn out. Make yourself vulnerable but be determined.
- Exercise Host Leadership (http://hostleadership.ning.com/page/about)
- Express gratitude for contributions that move the ball forward. Be emotionally involved, and take the opportunity to build narrative in so doing.
- Do not reinforce contributions that do not move the ball forward.
- Form triads. When person A offers something, join them with person B who can engage meaningfully with it.
- Ask powerful questions to liberate energy and strategic questions to create motion. See http://www.thechangeagency.org/_dbase_upl/strat_questioning_man.pdf
- Have one-on-one conversations with key contributors. Take their pulse on how things are going. Be open to influence.