Right then, pull up a chair and let's have a chat about something every facilitator grapples with at some point. Fear. Not the heart-pounding, run-for-your-life kind, but that quieter, more insidious worry that creeps in before a big workshop. The "what ifs," the "am I good enoughs," the dreaded "what if nobody talks?" It's a real pain in the bum, that fear, and it can hold you back from doing some truly great work.
I reckon my own journey into facilitation started with a fair whack of that very feeling. I remember the first time I was asked to lead a proper session. My palms were sweating more than a politician on election night. I’d spent ages reading books, watching videos, even practicing on the dog (who, bless his enormous head, remained unimpressed). But the thought of standing in front of a room full of people, responsible for guiding their thinking and energy? Crikey, it felt like trying to herd kangaroos with a feather duster.
The turning point for me, the moment I started to chip away at that wall of worry, came through the magic of collaboration. Instead of trying to go it alone, I started putting my hand up for co-design opportunities. This was brilliant. It meant I wasn’t solely responsible for crafting the entire workshop from scratch. I could bounce ideas off more experienced folks, learn their little tricks of the trade, and see firsthand how they structured activities to get the best out of a group.
Then came co-facilitation. Now, this was a game-changer. Having a partner in crime up the front of the room with you is like having a safety net made of pure gold. When the nerves started to bubble up, a quick glance or a shared knowing smile could settle them right down. If I stumbled over a question, my co-facilitator would seamlessly jump in. If I was worried about a particular activity landing flat, they’d offer a different angle or a clever tweak. It wasn't just about sharing the workload; it was about sharing the vulnerability. Knowing someone else had your back made the whole experience far less daunting.
I soaked up every co-design and co-facilitation gig like a sponge. I paid attention to how different facilitators managed energy levels, how they navigated tricky conversations, and how they used tools – particularly Miro, which became my absolute best mate. Seeing it all in action, rather than just reading about it, made the abstract concepts feel tangible and achievable. Each session built my confidence, bit by bit. Every successful brainstorm, every insightful discussion, every moment where I saw participants genuinely connect and learn – these were little victories that chipped away at the fear.
Slowly but surely, the balance started to shift. The fear didn't disappear entirely, mind you. I still get a flutter of nerves before a big one. But it became less of a roadblock and more of a gentle nudge, a reminder to be prepared and present. The "what ifs" started to be replaced by "how might we?" and the "am I good enoughs" by a quiet sense of "I've got this."
Eventually, the time came to branch out on my own. It wasn't a sudden leap; it was a gradual stepping forward, built on a solid foundation of shared experiences and newfound confidence. Those early days of co-design and co-facilitation weren't just about learning the practical skills; they were about building the resilience and the self-belief needed to stand on my own two feet.
So, if you're just starting out in facilitation and that fear is nipping at your heels, take heart. You don't have to go it alone. Seek out opportunities to collaborate, to co-design, and to co-facilitate. It’s a fantastic way to learn, to grow, and to gradually find your own rhythm and your own voice. Trust me, that fear might feel big now, but with a bit of teamwork and a willingness to learn, you'll find yourself standing tall and confidently guiding groups towards some truly brilliant outcomes. And that, my friends, is a feeling worth every bit of initial worry.
If you'd like to explore how I can help you or your organisation navigate its journey and enhance its facilitation capabilities, please don't hesitate to get in touch
Let's Connect, Create and Collaborate, together.
