FACILITATION
Group Process Design
We design facilitation events so that project teams can identify barriers to success, check key assumptions, uncover opportunities for improvement and innovation, and conduct rapid prototyping of ideas for increased efficacy of process and organizational changes.
We use a group process design method based on divergent and convergent thinking that takes groups through Opening, Exploring, and Closing activities. Popularized in the book Gamestorming, this method leverages divergent thinking and ideas to open the aperture for creativity, explores options and possibilities, and then focuses the group on convergence in decision-making and action planning.
We design the flow of meetings using Opening activities that build a common understanding of the meeting purpose and objectives, and lay out the themes to be explored and the takeaways. Then we identify the right Exploring activities that facilitate participants in sharing their experiences and expertise, and navigate and interpret ideas. This is where activities like brainstorming and rapid prototyping lie in the process, where all options are on the table and groups have a safe space to share. Then we establish Closing activities that facilitate decision-making, role clarity, responsibilities, and schedules. This is an illustration of the cognitive nature of divergent and convergent thinking, where ideas are random and plentiful in Opening activities and begin to take shape in Exploring activities. Prioritization, selection, and decision-making occur through Closing activities.
We work with organizations to design the most effective meeting or program by listening and identifying desired outcomes, team culture, and internal and external drivers of success. We utilize a vast toolkit of best practices to deploy in group facilitation, such as graphic and visual approaches and "Gamestorming" interactive exercises. We apply Design Thinking, or human-centered design, methods to bring the voice of customers and stakeholders into the process early and often.
Team Development
We provide value to our clients by understanding their business goals, processes, and people and designing team development workshops that generate actionable results and impact business goals while improving working relationships and communications.
Our approach to team development is grounded in positive psychology, where we take an appreciative inquiry approach to working with teams. We guide teams through the progression of forming, storming, norming and performing, recognizing that teams may enter this process at various stages and may revisit stages on the road to high performance.
Our team development model focuses on defining the team purpose and clarifying task requirements. It allows for identification of individual strengths and their contributions to the team, as well as opportunities for the team to develop its skills and processes.
Most importantly, we understand that the time and resources of the team and the organization are valuable and work to leverage them rather than tax them.
We have helped dozens of organizations realize the potential of individual team members and maximize the performance of their teams through a proven method that:
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Defines the team purpose and clarity of tasks
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Aligns to individual strenghts
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Improved communications and meeting management
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Develops critical team processes and skills
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Provides adjustments to support the team's progress through stages of development
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Leverages the time and resources of the team and organizations rather than tax them
We have experience in multiple domain areas in federal, state, and local contracting, commercial and non-profit sectors, higher education, and global development.
Testimonials
See what our clients have to say....
"Melynda organized some very effective sessions for my team preparing for a strategic planning off-site I was impressed not only with her grasp of the issues the team was facing, but also with the thoroughness and considerations she made while preparing and executing. While facilitating a very creative workshop, she got a usually-skeptical audience to open up. The post-workshop materials and deliverables were actionable, relevant, and "shovel-ready" for incorporating into our future work."
Eric B. - VP, Business Development