As a facilitator, its quite common to ask this question to the participants for closure.
It gives us an insight on what stood out for the participants, what’s a new discovery they made, any realisations and/or revelations they’ve had, and more.
During a recent session for a senior leadership team, I had my Aha moment right in the beginning, when the WOWs were being scribed.
WOWs are Ways of Working, they’re typically co-created in the room with the participants, to set the norms for the day, and is a sound way of contracting with the participants and setting expectations from both sides.
It blew my mind when one participant stated the following to be added as a WOW:
(Bottom right corner in frame)
1) WABI SABI – the Japanese art of embracing beauty in imperfection.
He further explained that each individual is different and imperfect, and to respect and fully accept that, on and off-site.
2) WU WEI – a Chinese concept of “effortless action”. A state where one effortlessly aligns and gets into the flow of things without forceful action.
Contextually, he explained how as senior leaders they need to do things and take ownership in their roles without feeling forced to do so; thereby making room only for “want to’s” not “have to’s”.
That’s the beauty of facilitation- each participant brings their own unique flair, and you never really know what you’re getting into no matter how much you prepare. Knowledge is co-created in the room, and pearls of wisdom as such are harvested from the group.
Participants are nudged to think, to reflect, and then to find ways to apply those ideas, thoughts, reflections and learnings in their daily job-roles.
It’s a privilege to be in a profession that has me witness these stimulating magic moments time and again- it’s like a mental gym, you know?
“What’s your Aha! Moment from the session?”
