Facilitating in a new client’s workspace for the first time always makes for a bit of nervousness and anxiousness. Will the facility be set up in an inviting, discussion-conducive way? Will I have all the right materials? Have I planned in a way that will engage the participants? Can I put them at ease and relieve any skepticism? Will they like the style and respect the information? Will they think and learn?
About a month ago, I was in this situation. The client was one with whom we had been communicating for several months about what they really needed. At one point, we thought we had a good plan. When it came right down to it, our vision was much larger than what the client felt prepared to tackle. So, they and BecomeMore Group took a break. We didn’t completely part ways. We weren’t frustrated with each other. We just hadn’t connected in all the right places.
What we continued to do was respect each other’s work and remain good colleagues with open communication. Given some breathing room and some think time, the client began to see BecomeMore Group as a growth partner who could bring some things to the table that they needed, even if the needs now looked somewhat different than they had several months before.
So, after more discussion, need identification, and planning, I went in to facilitate leadership growth for up-and-coming leaders in the organization. New opportunity. New participants. Solid leadership models.
The first session was so much fun! The topic was self-awareness, and the learning was great! We had hit the target. Even though it took us a while to get there, we all felt like the plan was right on. Participants were engaged. They absorbed the information, compared thoughts, agreed and challenged each other, and revealed vulnerabilities.
They said, “This was great! We learned so much.”
Instead of being nervous and anxious, I left feeling satisfied, grateful, and ready to return! It’s rewarding work that we do. It’s not always easy. It doesn’t always move in a straight line. It IS rewarding.
Marlene Sprouse
