Fred Abaroa

I was asked to facilitate a group recently in order to brainstorm a few ideas. Every time I am asked a scripture comes to mind, "Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege." As you can see this particular scripture has a lot to say about how to properly facilitate.

1. There needs to be a spokesman to keep order
2. One may speak at a time
3. Make sure everyone is listening
4. Everyone should speak
5. What is spoken should be edifying or positive

Each one of these points is critical to getting the most out of this opportunity. To make sure point 3 and 4 happen I often go around the room at least once. I find many great ideas never come to the board if I don't make sure everyone not only had an opportunity but actually contributed to the meeting. Point number 5 is novel to many meeting because we like to point out what doesn't work. Remember meeting should accomplish something. You can gripe anytime, just not in a meeting I facilitate.

So nest time you are ready to conquer the world, please remember this scripture (it helped take a new religion in 1830 grow from 6 to 13 million)

Fred Abaroa aka “CostaVidaFred”
The Marketing Imagineer

Twitter: @CostaVidaFred
Blogs:
www.CostaVidaFred.com
Podcasts:
WordOnTheTweet.net
MakingMountainsOutOfMoleHills.com