Michael Peterson
There’s an old saying: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” But in facilitation, I’ve learned there’s an even deeper truth: It’s not about giving answers or even teaching—it’s about creating the space for others to discover the solutions themselves.
This is the heart of Extreme Facilitation: empowering others to uncover their own insights, make their own connections, and take ownership of their path forward. True leadership isn’t about showing how much you know; it’s about helping others realize how much they already do.
Discovery Leads to Lasting Impact
When you provide answers, you solve a problem temporarily. When you guide others to discover answers, you give them the tools to solve problems forever. Facilitating discovery allows individuals and teams to build confidence, capability, and independence.
I’ve seen this firsthand in problem-solving sessions where, instead of offering my perspective, I asked the right question. Suddenly, a team member had a breakthrough. That moment of discovery didn’t just solve the issue—it transformed their approach to challenges going forward.
Ownership Drives Action
People are more likely to act on solutions they’ve uncovered themselves. Facilitating discovery gives them ownership of the process and the outcome. They no longer see the solution as something handed to them but as something they created.
In one instance, I facilitated a workshop where the team initially looked to me for answers. By redirecting their focus through thoughtful questions and exercises, they took full ownership of their ideas. When they implemented the solution, the energy and commitment were unlike anything I’ve seen from a “top-down” approach.
Discovery Creates Collaboration
Facilitation shifts the dynamic from “leader and follower” to a collaborative partnership. It allows every voice to be heard, every idea to be considered, and every person to feel like they’re part of the solution. This collective discovery builds stronger, more aligned teams.
One of my favorite experiences was facilitating a cross-functional group that had been stuck on an issue for months. By helping them uncover shared goals and guiding them through collaborative exercises, they discovered a solution that no single person could have arrived at alone.
Facilitation Is Leadership
The essence of facilitation as a leadership philosophy is humility. It’s not about proving your expertise or directing every move—it’s about trusting the process and trusting the people. When you create an environment where discovery happens, you’re not just solving today’s challenges; you’re building tomorrow’s leaders.
Extreme Facilitation has taught me that leadership isn’t about what you know—it’s about what others can discover with your guidance. And when they discover it, the results go deeper, last longer, and inspire more.
How are you creating space for discovery in your leadership? Start asking the questions that spark breakthroughs and see how far it can take your team.
Note: The ideas for this blog were supported by a conversation with OpenAI's ChatGPT.