How well did the facilitator lead the group and create a safe space? Please explain and give examples.
Very well indeed. As the opening facilitator for this session, Gwen's presence was friendly, calm, welcoming and engaging. The use of the phrase, "We're really interested in hearing from you" could only have made participants feel valued and that their input is important.
How well did the facilitator explain this Skill using the PowerPoint presentation? Please give examples.
Again, very well indeed. Summarized the program well using the opening "skill build" slide and then used it to invite reflection by asking participants' input regarding the reason CIT finishes with engaging with discernment. Also used the Four Steps to Engaging with Discernment slide very effectively. See more wrt specifics in comments below.
How well did the facilitator explain and lead the activities in this Skill? Please explain and give specific examples.
NA this time (activities were led by co-facilitators)
How well did the facilitator lead the Mindful Dialogues and Reflective Writing Exercises in this Skill? Please explain and give specific examples.
NA this time (activities were led by co-facilitators)
What aspects of this Skill did you think the facilitator did exceptionally well? Please give examples.
Did a wonderful job tying components in this session with concepts and skills presenting in previous sessions.
From Michael's post session comments: Great job pointing out that deciding which tools participants decide to use from the CIT toolbox is also a form of discernment.
When it came to picking up with Step 3 of engaging with discernment, Gwen was brilliant in sharing a real-life story regarding how she had applied the four steps of engaging with discernment with a coaching client, allowing the client to explore next steps to be taken in responding to a situation with a colleague. The example provided participants with the opportunity to understand why CIT defines compassion as a motivation and attaches it to having the integrity to engage (take action) with discernment.
As a side - but quite germane - note, participants have occasionally become a bit stuck on their definition of compassion as "empathy in action," and not as a motivation that leads to action; that compassion necessarily produces action. I think that this story could help illustrate the reason CIT defines compassion as a motivation and implies that true compassionate action can only occur after taking the four steps of engaging with discernment.
Overall, magnificent!
How well did the facilitator lead the Contemplative Practice in this Skill? Please explain and give specific examples.
NA for this session
What aspects of this Skill could the facilitator improve? Please give examples.
There were none evident in this session.
Overall, from Michael's post-session comments, there are some caveats for facilitators in general with regard to Skills 9 and 10. Chiefly, it is important to know that delving into the fears and aspirations of the various groups/individuals identified for consideration can be quite triggering for some participants. Given that possibility, it is important for facilitators to be alert for signs of dysregulation and prepared to intervene/redirect by leading participants in tracking, resourcing and grounding as a way for them to return to the reslient zone. Michael also reminded us all that it can be important to caution participants that it is not possible to discern ALL the causes and concerns involved in a situation; however, in the attempt, we increase the likelihood that the action we take will be compassionate.
Do you recommend this facilitator to become certified?