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.

IAF Event - Transformation Sprint

Say the word "sustainability" in certain companies and it will followed by discussions around pollution by organizations, waste management, loss of forests, wildlife, climate change and so on.  The discussion around action to change things doesn't move beyond criticizing government and industry.  At the end of this utilization of precious oxygen, nothing really changes, leaving a few people feeling sad and hopeless for the fate of the planet.

If you want to have a fruitful discussion on this topic of Sustainability, join me on 22 March 2025 at Hotel Mirage, Andheri East, Mumbai, where we will leverage the power of #facilitation and #storytelling to discover and discuss ways to inspire action and create impact i.e. a tangible difference in our real-world sustainability actions.  

This is one of the two Facilitation sessions (the other session is "Aspire – Be Your Best Version" facilitated by: Shyam Iyer, CPF & Kala Diwanji, CPF) brought to you by the Mumbai Hub of the International Association of Facilitators.

You wouldn't want to miss this fabulous Transformation Sprint.

Here are the registration details:

Date: 22nd March 2025

Time: 09:30 AM – 5:30 PM IST

Venue: Mirage Hotel, Andheri (East), Mumbai

Who should attend: Open to all who are interested in gaining deeper insights, and consciously bring one's best self into practice, actionable sustainability, while learning about #facilitationskills #facilitation and it's application beyond the workplace.

Registration here : https://iaf-india.org/event/transformation-sprint-copy/