SHIFTING LEVELS Different levels operating in groups

GROUPS OPERATE ON MANY LEVELS

• As a facilitator you will operate between many levels • Awareness of these levels is built up over time and experience

THE PHYSICAL LEVEL • People being comfortable and having physical needs met

• Seating• Noise• Room temperature • Clean air• Adequate food and drinks• Bathroom facilities• Breaks • Lighting • Resources and equipment• Cater for special needs

THE THINKING LEVEL• The sharing of ideas• The exploration of issues• Brainstorming• Creative thinking • Inspiration• Analysis• Critical thinking • Phrases used – I think…I’ve noticed. I understand…My vision is…Can you

imagine…We need to consider

THE EMOTIONAL LEVEL• Sharing experiences• Sharing feelings• Expressing feelings (grief, anger, fear, love enthusiasm)• Phrases: I feel…I care…I’m concerned

THE INTUITIVE LEVEL• Working from the intuitive part of the self• Phrases: I sense that…There is something not quite right here…There is

something off here...We are onto something – I’ve almost got it

THE ENERGY LEVEL• How awake the participants are • Observing behaviour/posture/tone and animation of

voices/attentiveness/’vibes’.• Develop awareness

THE SPIRITUAL LEVEL• Tap into the higher purpose of the group• Using music, dance, art, meditation, and ritual to invoke the

higher/spiritual energies, compassion and love/at ‘oneness’/beyond worlds/planetary consciousness/universal love and joy/essence/spirit of peace.

• Embrace cultural diversity • Inclusion • Fun, joy and self expression • Belonging

THE SYNERGISTIC LEVEL• Connectedness in the group • True cohesiveness • Group speaks as one voice• Tuned into each other• Non-judgemental

NOTICING THE LEVELS • Listening • Watching and making observations• Sensing

WORKING WITH THE LEVELS • Sharing observations with the group• Modelling behaviour of the levels • Inviting the group to share observations

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REFERENCE • Hunter, D. (2009) The art of facilitation : the essentials for leading great

meetings and creating group synergy. [Rev. ed.]. ed. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass ; Chichester : John Wiley [distributor]