230 - Shaping the Room: Power, Vulnerability, and the Art of Facilitation with Michelle Howard

Everybody in the workshop process experiences some element of vulnerability.The client is taking a risk on your skills and the outcomes that might emerge from using them. The participants are taking a risk in showing up, bringing what they bring to the room, and trusting (or fighting) the process. You — the facilitator — is taking a risk on your work, reputation, and ability.So why should we expect any of us to be the perfect picture of confidence throughout?Michelle Howard helps me understand the value of vulnerability (and its inevitability) in this episode, explaining the dance between power and vulnerability that happens in workshops — no matter who you are.Find out about:Why vulnerability and courage are two sides of the same coinUnderstanding how our individual actions can be responses to and prompts for the collectiveWhy a facilitator built of 100% confidence is unlikely to produce great resultsHow community acts as a crucial filter for the shiny new objects/tools/trends in facilitationWhy addressing individual needs makes a big difference to the whole groupHow to help clients relax their desire for the safest route and embrace the risk of empowering the groupDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.And download the free 1-page summary, so you can always have the key points of this episode to hand.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Collaborations, Michelle’s company.Connect to Michelle:On LinkedIn.Support the show:Make a one-off donation and contribute to the ongoing costs of running the podcast.Support the Show.**Click here to navigate through all episodes via this interactive podcast map.**If you're inspired by our podcast and crave similar conversations, consider joining Dr Myriam Hadnes' NeverDoneBefore Facilitation Community. **If you're keen to master the art of facilitation, discover our expert-led live, online Facilitation Courses at the NDB Academy. **If you enjoy the show, consider a one-off donation and contribute to the ongoing costs of running the podcast.