Reflections from IAF Mumbai Hub Session - Springboarding Sustainability through Stories

Pic credit: Dall-E

Conducting a facilitation session for the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) is always a pleasure.  It can also get a bit tense if you try to do different topics using a process that fits the session, but you haven't tried before.

That's what I did last month when I agreed to do a session on "Springboarding Sustainability through Stories" for IAF's Mumbai Hub.  I was blessed with participants who gave their full attention in the session.  There were two CPFs in attendance - Shyam Iyer and Kala Diwanji.

Here's what went well  - a deep discussion on the vast topic of "sustainability" was enabled for the participants.  I learnt that the process "Impact Gap Canvas" can generate deep discussion.  Participants were able to first research sustainability stories and then create some of their own as they discussed how they can make sustainability practices a part of their life.  I contracted with the CPFs to be participants in the session.

What I could have done differently - I could have designed more physical movement during the session for the participants as it would keep their energy levels up.  I also could have spent more time setting the context for the session.

Here are some pics of the action:

Some possibilities of actions towards sustainability

With Parineeta Mehra who willingly supported me with the logistics

The harvest at the end of the session

My gratitude to IAF Mumbai hub for this wonderful opportunity.  

Additional thanks to 

• Parineeta Mehra for her support with logistics.  
• SessionLab where I found the Impact Gap Canvas
• The CPFs for sharing with me a few tips for improving my facilitation skills.
• The participants for giving of their time and whole-hearted attention.

Pics from Building Relationships (Conflict Management) Workshop for Leaders

We know that for a team to be able to deliver extraordinary performance, they should be extremely capable and coordinated, and be able to understand each other.

My insight - A key for teams to build sustainable relationships is how the team is able to manage disagreements and conflicts. This came out clearly during the facilitated discussion on what makes a High Performing team.  The participants got this realization through the facilitation processes they underwent, because "Conflict is inevitable but combat is optional."  

Here is some of the action captured for a workshop on Building Sustainable Relationships through Conflict Management for Leaders.  The workshop topic was covered over 2 days for different sets of leaders of the organization and is a part of the leadership journey program. 

Participants got an understanding of the Thomas Kilman Model, The Conflict Continuum and Conflict Circles Model of Patrick Lencioni.  They also applied the model to situations they were facing at the workplace and got ideas on how to address similar situations in future.  A combination of training, lecture and facilitator-led group discussions were  designed to achieve this.

They also understood that disagreements are good for the growth and performance of the team, as long it doesn't get personal.

In case you are wondering, they are reading the quotes that I had put up on the wall on coloured paper.

What they feel a high performing team consists of.

Overall it was an engaging session that all participants were actively involved in.  Do contact me on ryanbbarretto@hotmail.com or +919820155778 if you would like your teams to positively improve their performance.