Open Courses
"Presentation Power" - Weds 2 and Thurs 3 December, Green Park, Reading
www.presentation-training.com for details – one place available.
Next course: 16 and 17 Feb 2010
Focus on Facilitation
Facilitate (verb): to make easy
Facilitation assignments vary hugely – the common link is that clients want something to happen easily:
- an event to run smoothly
- an issue to be resolved
- a strategy or consensus to be established
- a team to do something differently
"Jim is an excellent facilitator whether working with large groups or small teams. He allows everyone to express their views whilst ensuring the group as a whole achieves its objectives".
Recommended Reading
Stop Thinking, Start Living
by Richard Carlson
If you've got a question or some feedback I'd love to hear from you.
|
In this edition we’ll be taking a look at how clients, colleagues, friends and family may view you – at a very basic level!
Enjoyable reading.
Jim Wigg
Facilitator and (Sales) Coach
Blow Yer Socks Off
At first glance today may seem like an average weekday but I have every expectation (well 99% guaranteed) it's going to be fun, entertaining and even enlightening. And that's because Sandra and I are spending the day with Jonathan and Alan – Portsmouth, pizza and the pictures. Hoorah.
Jonathan and Alan (not to be confused with Flanagan and Alan) are two lads of 25 with learning disabilities, who also happen to be best friends. I met them years ago at a disabled skiing session where I help out. http://www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk
Jonathan is a cheeky chappy who loves heavy metal bands from the 80s and 90s and banger racing and continually repeats himself "Jim, Jim, Jiiiiiiiiiim". Alan is much quieter and looks a little nervous sometimes. His catchphrase is "It's really lovely being out with you and Sandra today". I’m such a sucker for that positive re-inforcement – after all I'm only human!
Last time, we took them on the train up to the London Aquarium and the Imax cinema by Waterloo. They hadn’t been to an Imax before and so on the train we explained about having to put on the 3D glasses. Alan wanted lots of reassurance that the Imax was safe and that he’d enjoy it.
Well, it was almost a disaster at the last minute. At the ticket counter Alan asked the young, American man selling the tickets "I will enjoy this, won't I". Young American man enthusiastically said "It'll blow yer socks off”. Alan looked terrified and stared at his feet waiting for the explosion. Then began the "it’s just a figure of speech" conversation.
Thinking about the two boys it struck me that they're always cheerful, always going with the flow - how marvellous to be that easily pleased. You never hear them moaning and because of that they make very easy and rewarding company.
Cliff Ferguson, a colleague, talks about people being either Drains or Radiators. The titles speak for themselves. A Drain is someone who moans, groans and nit-picks - draining the energy out of others. A Radiator is someone who exudes good, positive energy. Do you know which you are?
Sometimes a good moan to get something off your chest is absolutely what's needed. What’s not needed is the habitual moaning, usually, about insignificant or mundane things often which you have no control over.
Ear-wigging a conversation in a cafe recently, I heard someone moaning about the weather (well we’re British, what else would it be). Then I heard them say the weather on the previous day had been fantastic - things were looking up. But, that was followed with "...but the train was 20 minutes late". How stimulating is it to be in the company of a Drain?
I’m not advocating the 'stand in front of a mirror repeating positive affirmations whilst grinning from ear to ear' thing but start listening to yourself. Notice what you’re saying and how you’re saying it. This is Step 1 in making sure you are being a Radiator.
...and now for something completely different
Step 2 will be revealed in the next few weeks. Look out for it!
|
