Kara, Kieryn, Will and I were charged with facilitating an exploration around Pulau Ubin by bike and exploring the cultural precincts within Singapore. Our days’ worth of facilitation was broken into two half day blocks, which were placed at different times during the trip. In the lead up, conducting and post- session there were areas that we could have improved on as a group, and some things we did well.
Adaptability
“If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” – Bruce Lee.
From a leadership perspective, the above quote could perhaps be used to describe an ideal facilitator for a group of students or participants. To me, it illustrates the importance of adaptability. Read the group, and become the suitable leader for their particular circumstances, go with the flow but be prepared to be authoritarian and decisive when you need to be.
Now to the point, adaptability is key. A variety of changes were made to the plan as the group progressed through the session based on factors such as morale, tiredness, unforeseen conditions and itinerary changes. Rigidity in our conduct during the sessions would have been disastrous, especially in the ride. Without the ability to be like water and flow, participants would have lost morale and the drive to complete our sessions and the objectives would have been compromised.
Furthermore, adaptability was required in the planning phase also. Having the times for the Pulau Ubin day changed shortly before we left meant that a planned 4-5 hour session had been reduced to 1.5 to 2 hours. This forced us to completely change the itinerary of the session. In the Changi World War II tour, we all believed we were visiting the POW prison, or at least spending some time at what remained. When Nancy (the tour guide) stated that it wasn’t included in the tour, we had to go with the flow and trust that the outcomes would be met by the tour provided.
Our ability remain flexible has implications for the group too! The atmosphere provided by relaxed facilitators allows the participants to relax as well, where they can feel at ease knowing that everything is under control.
One of the elements our group could have done better is the planning. If we had planned more thoroughly early, then we would have been even more comfortable with the sessions. While the initial plan was lacking and we lacked clear follow up strategies, the sessions conducted worked well due to our adaptability and ability to be decisive.