A Facilitator 'IS' the Ultimate 'Servant Leader'

                                                                                                                              by Gary Rush, IAF CPF | Master

Servant Leader – leadership that is crucial to being able to form a group into a team to come together to reach their objectives. 

A Servant Leader requires applying facilitation skills learned to engage all making them feel that they are part of a greater whole, and decisions made have their involvement.  So how do we move from command-and-control?  We empower the group.  We avoid influencing with our views so that the group doesn’t acquiesce to our point of view without voicing their own.  Then:

• Engage – Ask the group to present their views.  Listen to them and make it safe for all to contribute.  Post their views and frequently summarize what was said, use Active Listening.  This is Divergence – gaining all perspectives.  Safe Divergence helps build trust.  

• Enable – Provide a thought process for understanding.  Follow a well-defined thought process that enables reflection, enriching, and challenging views.  This is Struggle – understanding all perspectives and points of view.  Safe Struggle helps build healthy conflict and trust. 

• Converge – Complete the cycle.  After all views have been discussed and it appears that the group is heading towards alignment or consensus, summarize what was said.  This is Convergence – coming together to find a solution everyone can support.  SafeConvergence enables teamwork to move forward.  

Does it work…

• Do we give up control?  If you define “control” as your way, then you will be dismayed.  By engaging all, not only do you develop more suitable views, but commitment will vastly increase.

• Does it take a long time?  I’ve read books and listened to others complain that reaching consensus is more time-consuming than having one person decide – command and control style.  This is a narrow view.  We accomplish far more in a shorter amount of time by using a Servant Leader style.  A well-thought-out decision with support and commitment requires teamwork – engagement is key.

Therefore…

A Servant Leader is far more effective when he or she empowers, engages, and enables the group to transcend the sum of the parts.  

A Facilitator ‘IS’ the Ultimate ‘Servant Leader’…

Stay tuned for my next "snippet" - "Group Facilitator" How does it Fit? Why it Matters...