Unleashing the Power of Courageous Facilitation in Diversity and Inclusion Management

To be effective at diversity and inclusion management takes courage and it will only be the courageous facilitator that brings about the change demanded within this arena.

Courageous facilitation is critical as diversity and inclusion training digs deep within the emotional and psychological aspects of each of us. There is hard work to be done in surfacing truths. About ourselves, others and the world in which we live. There are inevitable trials and tribulations including conflict, discomfort, anxiety and pain.

However, we ought to remember that any discomfort is the price we normally pay as admission to an improved life.

The interesting thing about diversity is that there is always the assumption that most of us already know who we are. There seems to be an expectation in the process that all we will simply have to do is personally “show up” and share who we uniquely are, and with acceptance all will be well.

This is a vast oversimplification of the diversity and inclusion journey. In fact, it is only when we begin to open up, firstly to ourselves and then to others, that we really start to discover who we really are. Therefore, diversity and inclusion management must do away with the myth that complex people can be distilled in terms of race, sex, sexual orientation etc. etc. We cannot fit anyone into a box. There will be surprises.

Diversity and inclusion programs move individuals towards their “always becoming” true selves. Diversity and inclusion programs help with personal progression towards our ideal selves and these revelations are part of an unfolding story that spans the collective.

Any worthwhile diversity and inclusion program, whether online or in person, will demand benefits of using facilitation skills in tackling these underlying personal evolution and growth challenges.

Facilitation is about facilitating “something”. At the beginning of the process there are a great many unknowns. Facilitators therefore act as helpers and guides in moving from the unknown to the known.

Their Role Includes:

● Creating focus through enhancing communication;

● Ensuring participation and sensitivity;

● Explaining and keeping everyone on track;

● Listening, reflecting back and challenging without bias;

● Observing interactions and enabling adjustments;

● Questioning, clarifying and securing understanding;

● Conflict resolution and behavioural management;

Facilitators ensure objectives are achieved more easily in the face of challenges. Facilitation is never about control, but rather finding a way through what cannot be escaped, to a better way. Facilitators also help make sense of the chaos through visualization of potential. They know it is important to spread a sense of excitement at the prospect of experiencing something new and unexpected. Always reinforcing and celebrating progress.

Courageous facilitators will not only invest themselves in the cause of diversity and inclusion, but will assist individuals to travel in uncharted waters together Most importantly when a facilitator combines courage, and positive intent, they help us to find the hero within- the hero who likes them is able to live through anxiety and be the best one can be.

Source: https://thisweekinlibraries.com/unleashing-the-power-of-courageous-facilitation-in-divers ity-and-inclusion-management/