Results are important. One of the ways a group can get stuck is to rehash ideas, forget agreements, and fail to follow through with assignments. Over the long term this can create a weighty, sluggish feeling in a group. If this occurs on a project team there can be serious consequences for lack of action. Another role you have as a facilitator is that of the warrior—a brave force that acts to steward the process forward by facilitating accountability. This means having the courage to refer to commitments from prior meetings with the group and helping create a repository for written notes and plans.
The Warrior Competencies
- Facilitate accountability for results
- Provide tools to facilitate accountability
Practice
Ensuring Accurate Notes Are Produced. Many times, it is the act of accounting for and referring to past ideas, actions, and commitments that can make the difference between a group that moves ahead and one that is frustrated. It is vitally important that a system of note taking be discussed prior to a meeting that includes: 1) how and to what degree notes are taken and how they will be reviewed; 2) where the notes will be kept or filed; and 3) how notes will be referred to during the meeting.
Scheduling a Follow-up Discussion. A facilitator should set a time after a meeting, even if very short, to discuss progress and commitments with the group leader or sponsor. At this check in meeting, you can review action items, commitments, and ensure that assignments are taking place. This is a bit tricky. While you are not directly responsible for people completing their assignments, many leaders do not have the skills or attention to ensure that assignments are completed. Your role does not require that you call around to make sure people have done the work. Your role as accountability “warrior” is to be strong in communicating and emphasizing forward motion.
Integral Facilitator’s Primer & Self-Assessment. Complete this assessment to determine your level of competency for each of these archetypes, then consider the questions that follow to help you craft a development plan to enhance your skills.
Take the Journey of Facilitation and Collaboration
This model is taught in an applied format during our Journey of Facilitation and Collaboration Workshop, a five-day experiential event offered regularly at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and sometimes at other locations throughout the country based on interest and by invitation.
