You're leading a large facilitation session. How can you navigate power dynamics to prevent disruptions?

In his book “Leaders Eat Last” Simon Sinek uses the phrase about a common practice in the military. This practice of high-ranking officers being last to fix their plates at mealtime ensures the people in their command are fed and cared for. If people feel their leaders are interested in prioritizing their needs with an understanding of mutual investment in each other, the mission and vision of the organization, and are genuinely interested in who FTEs are and what they have to say this is a good way of establishing power dynamics. It's easier to navigate power dynamics when people have a sense of psychological safety. When the rules are stated up front, and the leaders are more people-driven than ego-driven—that's a great place to start.

Some of the best sessions I've participated in, specifically during a seven-day retreat at the Hoffman Institute was when everyone was asked to check their egos and titles at the door and work with everyone as an individual and not their respective titles and achievements. Great facilitators are able to recognize the introverts, ambiverts, and extroverts in the room and gently guide each to a level of comfort where can participate in activities in a meaningful way (or not). It is important to have a high level of self-awareness and sensitivity to where others are to be an effective facilitator where everyone feels seen, heard, empowered, and fully expressed.

To my previous point, it's important to understand who the introverts, ambiverts, and extroverts in the room are and to conduct a symphony where every instrument plays in concert with each other while creating space for the soloists to shine. And indeed it is key to foster an inclusive and balanced environment where the goal is met with all participants feeling a sense of playing full-on, being humble if they offend, and being gracious if and when offended.

Set a tone of equality and collaboration from the get go. Embed techniques and activities that will let themselves to creative thinking and joining up the whole groups and fostering empathy and empathising towards each other fir the rest of the session ' such a great leveller and strips it back to the individual. Curate activities where all voices are heard and creative spaces for expression without evaluation like the 10% rule and finding the 10% that is useful in another's ideas.