163 - What do we facilitate for? A philosophical conversation with Dov Tsal

Why do we facilitate? Who are we, as facilitators? Is shared understanding a goal?

Dov Tsal - Tao-inspired coach, mentor, and facilitator - is not one to shy away from the deep and challenging philosophical questions of our craft.

In fact, he’s usually the one asking them!

This was certainly the case in this episode - which is more of a conversation than an interview. We examine the role, purpose, and objectives of facilitators and explore the boundaries of our work and being.

An unmissable, unique episode for enquiring minds of facilitation.

Find out about:

• Why acceptance of all outcomes grants us space to facilitate as the group requires
• How a workshop’s success or failure is predetermined by our expectations of its purpose
• What it means to be a passive facilitator
• Facilitating the group as an ecosystem, not individuals
• Why avoiding interference is the hallmark of great facilitation
• How to train your brain to see multiple perspectives on the same object

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Questions and Answers

Part one 
[01:37] You were clear that you didn't want this to be an interview. What would you like it to be instead? 
[03:15] Is there anything we cannot facilitate? 
[05:53] The issue of assuming a specific goal for a workshop. 
[09:15] Is facilitation only possible around a purpose? 
[11:14] Passive facilitation. 
[13:16] When we act in service of something bigger than us, how can we be sure it's right or working or correct? 
[15:38] The Catch 22 of seeking perfection. 
[20:54] Responsibility - of facilitators, in facilitation. 
[25:31] Where does the limit of our responsibility sit? For how many factors out from our original act do we hold responsibility? 
[28:03] Can we go back to defining responsibility? 
[32:37] Are we responsible for someone's inner reaction to outer circumstances? 

Links

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👉 What happens when being “professional” gets in the way of being human? My new podcast Unprofessionalism explores the rules we’re taught to follow at work, and what happens when we break them. Listen here: https://unprofessionalism.buzzsprout.com/  👈