How can I enhance this group’s performance? A question that is as much about me as it is the group.
How can I get the group from point A to point B? A question that supposes a knowable, right destination.
What is this group wanting to create? A question that evokes curiosity.
What is waiting to be born here? A question that intuits deeper possibilities.
What conversation is this group wanting to have? A question that allows me to be here.
What stage is this group in? Formation? Sustaining? Finale’? (A question that can help explore how much participants are willing to invest in the group.)
I’m currently reading Community – The Structure of Belonging by Peter Block, and he has some questions you might find useful. He’s speaking in the context of building community, where each individual takes accountability for the whole. He describes transforming the present into the future.
One excellent question is “How valuable an experience do you plan for this to be?” Asking what they plan rather than what they hope puts the focus on choice, commitment and accountability. It starts building the future at that moment.
“How valuable an experience do you plan for this to be?”
I appreciate how as you say, this really evokes individual responsibility and care. Thanks for sharing George.
I was reflecting on questions I hold for myself as a facilitator. If I were to translate Peter Block’s question to what it means for the facilitator, it might be, “How can I invite every participant to take responsibility for the whole?” Food for thought, thank you.
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