From school assemblies and class teachers, to meetings, conferences, seminars, event anchors, jocks, speakers and trainers- this dialogue just never gets old, does it?
We’ve all grown up hearing it. We’ve eye-rolled at and side-eyed the enthu-cutlet yelling at the other end of the room.
Cut to, when I was affiliated with educational institutions, onboarded as the French Facilitator- it was common hear-say and practice, that being the Fac, you need to transfer your energy to the class and “pep them up”
Even in my stint as a Corporate Facilitator, I’ve seen this unfold before my eyes, where the Fac is hell-bent on making the group unceremoniously yell, scream and shout before they began their agenda for the day; to pep them up and get them engaged and curious.
What I never really fathomed was the “why”.
With all due respect and absolutely no offence meant, allow me to show you another POV.
Is making the audience scream and yell the only way to “wake them up”?
If the session is well-crafted, won’t that peak the participants’ interest anyway?
Won’t their engagement and curiosity depend on the context we set and the contracting we do with them?
Is yelling GoodMorning 5 times a sure-shot guarantee that your audience will remain invested throughout your session / program?
Does it guarantee that they won’t switch off in the first minute itself?
If the session is well facilitated and designed, won’t that get the audience high on energy and engagement anyway, than to have them create a hullabaloo?
Is a noisy session the benchmark for ‘fun’?
Some participants show their interest and investment in the session by remaining silent and reflecting intrinsically; while some reflect through dialogue. Are we creating a safe space for each of the participants?
By forcing high energy in the room, are we creating more ease or more unrest in the group?
Does silence always mean lack of participation and interest?
What’s your definition of energy, engagement and fun?
And are there any other tools to deploy and channelise those effectively?
Whose need is it?
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In my experience, energy is sacred and unique. Reading the room, and then deploying the necessary tools to drive the group to desired results is the magic dust each Fac sprinkles to turn the intervention into a success.
It’s so beautiful and handsomely rewarding to witness the journey of the audience when you don’t force them to wear hats that don’t fit.
What are your thoughts?
“Who’s not had breakfast today? I can’t hear you….GOOD MORNINGGGGG!”
