I am excited to share that my consulting practice is taking a new turn! I will be doing less Interim Executive Director work and more facilitation and management consulting. This new direction is for two reasons:
- As of July 1st, 2019, I accepted a permanent half-time position as the Administrative Director for the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis (SFCP). I never expected to take a “permanent” position again. But while I was the Interim Administrative Director, I began to understand the deep commitment of all the volunteers for this membership-based educational institution and how I might be able to continue to strengthen the infrastructure. Plus, there is a fantastic small team of staff! It feels like a good match!
- Then, as of August 10, 2019, I became a Nationally Certified Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitator! This is a BIG deal for those of you new to this field. Less than 125 people have this designation. And it is well known that it is harder to get this certificate than any other in the world of facilitation.
I have been learning how to proficiently do group facilitation as part of my Interim consulting practice over the past 7 years. Gradually, I have also been taking more and more training and have come to LOVE these methods! The ToP methodology:
- Provides a structure to prevent groups from aimlessly drifting during important conversations or meetings;
- Provides unique ways to focus people on one topic long enough to determine a clear direction for the next steps;
- Encourages understanding rather than criticism;
- Elicits both rational and emotional responses to arrive at authentic communication and real solutions; and,
- Creates a sense of safety in the room so that all participants can speak honestly, knowing that their responses will be accepted and respected.
I have seen these methods transform conversations in ways I did not believe was possible! Plus, the participatory strategic plans can get to the heart of what the real issues or blocks are to an organization’s growth! I wish I had learned these methods 30 years ago!!
So, while I will continue to consider Interim ED assignments, my focus is now on building a clientele for group facilitation. And not only in the nonprofit sector, but also in the for-profit and government sectors. A facilitator does not…and preferably will not…have topic area expertise, in order to maintain objectivity. The “wisdom is already in the room”. My role is to work closely with the senior leadership to gain clarity on the desired concrete outcomes and how they want the group to experience the conversation; then create an appropriate meeting design accordingly. I have already had the pleasure of doing a partners’ retreat for a law firm and building consensus for visitor messaging for the Divisions of Yosemite National Park. You name the outcome you are looking for and these methods can help get us there!
You will see I have modified my website to reflect this change in direction at marciahodges.com And I am gradually moving a bit more into the world of social media at LinkedIn. Thus, I am also starting this blog! A year ago, I finally became convinced this could be a good idea and now here I am! I am more surprised than anyone!
I hope you will join me on this part of my journey, so you will have a sense of this aspect of my life! I must say that I TRULY LOVE all aspects of my work life now. How does that saying go? “When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work!” SO TRUE!