School of Facilitation June Linkedin Newsletter
Kirsty Lewis
Founder of School of Facilitation. Teaching workshop design, fantastic facilitation & training trainers make my ?? sing. Podcaster|Host of Gatherings & the community pod|Flourishing Facilitator.
How are you doing?
Well, we have made it to the end of June and half of the year has gone by.? As ever, I scratch my head and wonder how this has happened.? Then I look back on what adventures I have had this year and realise that 6 months have passed!
This month I am being reminded of the need to have different types of support around us when running our businesses, whether you are an associate, solopreneur, or business owner.
I have written in a previous newsletter about the power of having our own board of advisors.
This isn’t a new idea, but I think it is worth reminding ourselves of what it can look like, how it can work, and a reminder of why we need this.
The What
I have four categories of people within my board of advisors.? Do note as you read this that one person may wear multiple hats.
The Expert
‘A person who is very knowledgeable about or skillful in a particular area.’
I think it is important to remember that we did not necessarily start what we are doing to run a business, and therefore there will be elements of your business where you need help.? This is absolutely ok.??
For me I am clear on my strengths and where I need and want support. My support areas are:
An Expert can be someone who has deep knowledge about a topic a client has asked you to look at.? You may know enough but wish to learn more.? When I work with these people it can be like finding a golden nugget, awe-inspiring.
My experts come in many forms.? I particularly appreciate the conversations I have with experts on a weekly basis when recording the podcast, A Facilitator's Journey .
The conversations we have about our businesses range from celebrating wins, talking through client challenges, how to run a business, and our go-to technology.
Experts can be people and they can be YouTube, ChatGPT, The internet, Articles, Podcasts, Books.
Who are your experts? ?
The Elder
‘A leader or senior figure in a tribe or other group’
To me, an elder brings with them a deeper understanding of the world, the space we want to play in, and a grounding presence.? There is a ‘wiseness’ about them which for me resonates as they gently probe my thoughts with questions or quotes.? Sometimes they share an article or poem which nudge me a little deeper.
Having an Elder on my board brings me a sense of “okay-ness” when things may be going awry, they are more than likely been through similar experiences and can offer valuable insights and words.
You may find the thinking of an Elder through books, on-line groups, or newsletters.? This person does not have to be an immediate acquaintance or friend.
Who are the Elders you listen to?? Whose words do you value?
The Energisers
‘Give vitality and enthusiasm to...’
Energisers celebrate you and your idea, your brilliance, and your enthusiasm for the new.? They make lovely encouraging noises at just the right time.
Energisers are people who give you the unseen fuel to keep going when you are feeling low.? They are there for you at the end of the phone, email, and text to give you an injection of support.
They are your own cheerleading squad!
Who, within your friends, gives you energy?
Whose company do you leave feeling refreshed, re-energised or renewed?
Who can you talk to honestly and openly without their own fears and judgements derailing you?
The Ears
‘Used to refer to a person's willingness to listen to others.’
A piece of advice I was given during the Summer of 2007, by the owner of a company I would go on to work with was ‘sort your fears out'.? If you don’t look at them they will show up when you work with clients.? They will leak through your language and body language’
领英推荐
This advice plus a need to talk out aloud what was in my head led me to work with a coach.? This was the second time I had had a coach outside of the workplace and the first time the investment had come out of my own pocket.?
In the last 17 years I have worked with at least ten coaches, all who have supported me in different ways.
The difference between the coach and the Expert is that the coach has no agenda with you other than your own development.? The Expert may know you and be giving you advice based on your needs.? The Expert may act more like a mentor sharing their experiences and knowledge.? The coach will listen, probe, sit in silence as you process, and have a box of tissues ready if needs be.
Take a moment to think about your Experts, Elders, Energisers, and Ears.?
These people will be there for you, they will be your guides and support you.??
Who are they? How often do you speak with them?
The benefits of having the four E’s in? your life are:
Let me know what you think.? Who is on your board of advisors?? What other roles do you have on your board?
As ever hugs and love from me and the team at SOF HQ,
Kirsty x
Ways to connect with SOF for FREE
The Whatsapp group
A great global community is forming in the SOF Collective Whatsapp group.??There are threads discussing workshop design, clients, proposals and pricing, general every day facilitator life stuff.?
Hop in and say hi ??
The Podcast - A Facilitator’s Journey
The podcast is all about running a training or facilitation business.??I speak with people from our industry about how they run their businesses, seeking ideas and answers to questions that help us in our quest to becoming business owners.
The Community Pod
This is our monthly online event where facilitators and trainers gather together to connect, learn and share.??It has been running for over five years and brings a regular crowd from all over Europe.
AND....
I’m very excited to let you know that the next Flourishing Facilitator Experience has been confirmed to start in October 2024 and there’s also an Early Bird Discount that I don’t want you to miss out on…
The Flourishing Facilitator is a 4 month, high touch journey that includes:
? 2 day residential kick-off masterclass (2nd & 3rd Oct)
? Monthly group accountability calls (3rd Monday of each month)
? 2 x 1:1 coaching calls (31st Oct / 5th Dec)
? Virtual Design Class (14th Nov)
? Access to Kirsty via a private Whatsapp group
? 2 day residential closing masterclass (9th & 10th Jan)
? NEW an Integration call (24th Feb)
If you’re a:
???? Trainer, learning director or manager who’s leaving corporate behind
???? Self-employed trainer or facilitator, in-person or online
???? Passionate educator who’s ready to take their skills to the next level…
Then this immersive, collaborative and intimate experience is for you for just ￡2099 + VAT!
To save ￡300 before July 31st, head to the Flourishing Facilitator page and sign up .
If you want to talk things through before committing, send me a Linkedin message and we can talk it through.
Social Research & Evaluation | Facilitation | Strategy. Supporting organisations to create social & environmental impact through participatory approaches and collaborative learning.
4 个月This is something that comes up for me a lot and that it took a while for me to acknowledge and articulate as I had felt previously that beyond the start-up phase, much of this "shouldn't be needed" and that a Board was more of an accountability body. I'm still working on "building" mine but this framing is really helpful. I wonder also if a "younger" might be helpful - for me this might be about injecting some extra playfulness and freshness.
Delivering commercial transformation through strategy to execution projects
4 个月A fantastic read and reminder. I’ve stepped back into the corporate world after a brief self employed phase and the thought provocation here is fab. I need to remind myself to find my 4 Es as the new role takes shape as it’s very demanding for an old dog to learn new tricks / industries….thank you for being an energiser