The 9 Disciplines of a Facilitator

What takes place in the head and heart of an effective facilitative leader? How do they find the inner resources to draw upon? What is the source of their powerful effect on people and situations? The 9 Disciplines of a Facilitator examines these questions and explores the self-mastery it takes to become a great facilitator. Written by Jon and Maureen Jenkins, two of the long-term members of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), this much-needed resource explains that facilitation is more than a process or a set of techniques for managing groups—facilitation is its own profession with its own set of disciplines that help define the facilitator's role. Throughout the book the authors detail the nine personal disciplines of effective facilitators: Detachment, Engagement, Focus, Awareness, Action, Presence, Interior Council, Intentionality, and a Sense of Wonder.

Preface vii

The Authors ix

Introduction 1

Part One: The Context

1 Leadership: A Matter of Spirit 15

2 Trends in Employee Participation 45

3 The Skills of a Facilitative Leader 55

4 The Future of Facilitation 67

Part Two: The Disciplines

5 Detachment: Stepping Back 79

6 Engagement: Committing to the Group 102

7 Focus: Willing One Thing 127

8 Interior Council: Choosing Advisors Wisely 147

9 Intentionality: Aligning the Will to Succeed 170

10 Sense of Wonder: Maintaining the Capacity to Be Surprised 194

11 Awareness: Knowing What Is Really Going On 215

12 Action: Effective Doing 242

13 Presence: Inspiring and Evoking Spirit in Others 262

References 285

Index 295

Jon C. Jenkins is cofounder of Imaginal Training in The Netherlands and a board member and?the communications and publications coordinator of the?International Association of Facilitators (IAF). He is also a member of the board of the Union of International Associations.?

Maureen R. Jenkins is cofounder of Imaginal Training, where she designs and leads training programs. She is past chair of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF).

What takes place in the head and heart of an effective facilitative leader? How do such leaders find the inner resources to draw upon? What is the source of their powerful effect on people and situations?

The 9 Disciplines of a Facilitator examines these questions and explores the self-mastery it takes to become a great facilitator. Written by Jon and Maureen Jenkins, two long-term members of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), this much-needed resource explains that facilitation is more than a process or a set of¿techniques for managing groups; facilitation¿is its own profession with its own¿set of disciplines that help define the facilitator's role.¿Throughout the book the authors detail the nine personal disciplines of effective facilitators:¿ Detachment, Engagement, Focus, Awareness, Action, Presence, Interior Council, Intentionality, and a Sense of Wonder.

Designed to be a highly accessible resource, the book divides the nine disciplines into three development paths—regarding others (Detachment, Focus, and Engagement), regarding life (Awareness, Presence, and Action), and regarding oneself (Interior Council, Intentionality, and Sense of Wonder). Readers can explore all the disciplines from start to finish or hone in on one or more that intrigue them the most.

Praise for The 9 Disciplines of a Facilitator

"Leaders who want to deepen their ethical leadership and facilitative practice will find tapping Jon and Maureen's wisdom, drawn from years of reflective practice, a powerful and provocative experience."
—Jo Nelson, CPF, CTF; principal, ICA Associates Inc.; and past chair, the International Association of Facilitators

"A trove of practical insight on leadership and personal development. Their illustrative stories bring the nine disciplines to life."
—Sandy Schuman, editor, The IAF Handbook of Group Facilitation, Creating a Culture of Collaboration, and Group Facilitation: A Research and Applications Journal; and moderator, the Electronic Discussion on Group Facilitation

"A needed and timely push to facilitators in every part of the profession to acknowledge the deeper realities of what we do. Facilitation is not just techniques but assisting individuals and groups to usethe deeper resources they have within them to respond more effectively in day-to-day situations."
—James Wiegel, senior associate, the Institute of Cultural Affairs

"I have wrestled with conveying the unique attributes of an effective facilitation style. This book goes a long way to filling that gap."
—Jim Troxel, Millennia Consulting

"The 9 Disciplines of a Facilitator covers facilitation comprehensively with a depth and practicalitythat makes it accessible to everyone in the profession."
—John L. Epps, managing director, LENS International, Malaysia

"The image of disciplines opens the door for understanding that facilitation skill is a pursuit or honing process, not a finished task. The diversity represented by the nine elements highlights the profound option of facilitation as a vocation."
—Lawrence E. Philbrook, executive director, ICA Taiwan; director, Open Quest Facilitation Technology

"It should be part of every leadership curriculum."
—Clarence J. Mann, professor and director, Institute for Global Management,University of Maryland University College

"Leaders who want to deepen their ethical leadership and facilitative practice will find tapping Jon and Maureen's wisdom, drawn from years of reflective practice, a powerful and provocative experience."
—Jo Nelson, CPF, CTF; principal, ICA Associates Inc.; and past chair, the International Association of Facilitators

"A trove of practical insight on leadership and personal development. Their illustrative stories bring the nine disciplines to life."
—Sandy Schuman, editor, The IAF Handbook of Group Facilitation, Creating a Culture of Collaboration, and Group Facilitation: A Research and Applications Journal; and moderator, the Electronic Discussion on Group Facilitation.

"A needed and timely push to facilitators in every part of the profession to acknowledge the deeper realities of what we do. Facilitation is not just techniques but assisting individuals and groups to use the deeper resources they have within them to respond more effectively in day-to-day situations."
—James Wiegel, senior associate, the Institute of Cultural Affairs

"I have wrestled with conveying the unique attributes of an effective facilitation style. This book goes a long way to filling that gap."
—Jim Troxel, Millennia Consulting

"The 9 Disciplines of a Facilitator covers facilitation comprehensively with a depth and practicality that makes it accessible to everyone in the profession."
—John L. Epps, managing director, LENS International, Malaysia

"The image of disciplines opens the door for understanding that facilitation skill is a pursuit or honing process, not a finished task. The diversity represented by the nine elements highlights the profound option of facilitation as a vocation."
—Lawrence E. Philbrook, executive director, ICA Taiwan; director, Open Quest Facilitation Technology

"It should be part of every leadership curriculum."
—Clarence J. Mann, professor and director, Institute for Global Management, University of Maryland University College