I'm a recovering academic who uses her insights from behavioural economics to develop methods that facilitate collaboration. In my weekly newsletter, I share the summary of my latest interview on the "workshops work" podcast along with an application of facilitation as a life and leadership skill.
The Power of Language – Inclusive or Exclusive? | Episode 276 on challenges and triumphs in creating anti-racist environments
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Dear Reader, Have you ever found yourself nodding along in a conversation, feeling a bit lost but too hesitant to ask for clarification? It’s a common scenario, especially when acronyms and professional jargon dominate the discussion. Language is a powerful tool that can either bring us together or inadvertently push us apart. Reflecting on this, how often do we use language that may exclude others? Consider the term FOMO (fear of missing out). For some, it’s a staple of modern vocabulary, instantly understood. For others, it’s a puzzling acronym that leaves them out of the conversation, too hesitant to ask for clarification. This exclusion isn’t always intentional, but the impact can be significant. It creates a barrier, making some feel alienated or hesitant to engage further. At the recent NDB Testivál, we experienced this firsthand. One lively debate centred on the term “Container.” For some, it evoked images of shipping containers, while most others thought of it as a metaphorical space for holding ideas or emotions. The debate was surprisingly emotional, highlighting how differing interpretations of a single word can affect understanding and alignment within a group, and even put our sense of psychological safety at risk. Even the term “facilitator” can be misunderstood as simply a “trainer” or “teacher,” rather than someone who guides a group process. What happens if someone in the group believes that “holding space” means providing a physical room, or feels irritated when invited to a “check-in,” thinking it’s a logistical process instead of an emotional onboarding? Ultimately, words create worlds, and as facilitators, we bear the responsibility for the worlds we create. Are we fostering inclusion, understanding, and collaboration? Or are we, perhaps unintentionally, creating barriers that exclude and alienate? As someone who works with groups and teams, it’s crucial to remember to explain acronyms or jargon we use—or to create permission for others to ask for clarification, showing awareness that such terms might not be universally understood. The goal must be to support a culture where everyone feels comfortable asking for definitions or explanations. This not only aids comprehension but also strengthens group cohesion. My invitation to you: Next time you’re in a meeting or leading a workshop, take a moment to reflect on your words. Are they inclusive? Do they invite understanding? Let’s ensure our language builds bridges, not walls. 🎙 Meanwhile, on the podcast… Everyone wants to feel like they belong - to places, purpose and people. But how many workplaces can say that they are truly inclusive and anti-racist places that people choose to belong? That is where Letesia Gibson comes in. As a navigator of systemic world views on issues such as race and misogyny, her work exists in the sphere of unlearning, helping organisations to rebuild themselves as places of belonging - for everyone. Letesia introduces us to a new language with which to embrace the intricacies of honest conversations, the tools to embed habits of belonging, and how we can start changing the narrative of the norm. Find out about:
🔖 Click here to download my 1-page summary of the show. 🎧 Click here to listen to the interview Or, watch the unedited interview on Youtube: Live Learning OpportunitiesThe NDB Festival - November 15th, 2024Early Believer tickets for our Flagship Event will be available soon! The NDB Festival features workshops offered by the NDB community and invited guests of the Workshops Work podcast. Click here to add a 'save the date' to your calendar. Leadership through FacilitationIf the Testivál left you inspired to sharpen your facilitation skills, embrace your leadership potential, and create captivating workshops like never before, the Leadership through Facilitation online course could be for you. It's a 7-weeks course, delivered by a divers group of master facilitators - each bringing in their unique experience and expertise so that you can find inspiration to grow your own unique way of leveraging your facilitation skills for effective leadership. Your 'Facilitation Signature' BootcampDid you notice how each facilitator brings their own style, energy and spin to the workshop space? The interesting part is that very often, we are not even aware that we do! Do you know what your facilitation signature is? What makes you stand out from the crowd? How others would describe you as facilitator to their peers and maybe even potential clients? If you feel confident in your craft but lack the words to present and promote yourself, join Thomas Lahnthaler and my Facilitation Signature Bootcamp from September 13-15th in Amsterdam. That's all from my side. I wish you a wonderful week ahead. Take care and see you next week! Myriam
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How can we facilitate collaboration?
I'm a recovering academic who uses her insights from behavioural economics to develop methods that facilitate collaboration. In my weekly newsletter, I share the summary of my latest interview on the "workshops work" podcast along with an application of facilitation as a life and leadership skill.
Happy Friday Reader It’s happening! The last-ever NeverDoneBefore Festival is just around the corner, and I wanted to share a little more about what makes this one truly special. Will it be huge? You might be thinking – with all the buzz around it being the final edition – that we’re hosting hundreds of people. But here’s the beauty of NDB: it’s not a massive, impersonal event. We keep it intimate. Think of it more like a close-knit gathering where everyone gets to know each other, connect,...
Dear Reader, We often hear the phrase in self-help books: What gets our attention will grow. In fact, I have it stuck on a note right next to my screen. But what about the things we don’t focus on—the ones we brush aside, believing that sweeping them under the rug will somehow preserve our fragile sense of harmony? The truth is, these unnoticed moments can quietly swell until they become unreasonably large, disrupting our lives far more than we anticipate. Today, I want to write about the...
Dear Reader, As facilitators, we often talk about the importance of creating space. But how do we balance sharing our own voice with making room for others? And how can we tell when our contributions invite or unintentionally silence those around us? This is where the concepts of “crowding in” and “crowding out” come into play. Inspired by economic theory, these terms initially describe how public spending can either attract private investment or decrease it. Thomas Lahnthaler recently...