Daring to say stop
Translated from the French original.
The other day, I was starting a remote training session.
The various participants were at the office.
They joined the session in dribs and drabs.
Caroline was tangled up with her audio connection.
Patrick was sitting 3 metres from his screen.
I waited a little for things to settle down.
I started as usual.
And then I launched the inclusion round with the open-sesame question.
“ What is the one word that best describes your state of mind as we start this session? ”
“ Tired, intrigued, stressed, I have other things on my mind, annoyed… ”
Ouch. Ouch. I said to myself!
A few neurons got to work in my head and analysed the situation.
1. They don’t look in great shape.
2. It’s going to be hard to lift the energy level.
3. I’m remote, warm and cosy at home. I haven’t driven 90 minutes to join them.
4. Finding a new slot is probably possible.
5. They couldn’t be in a worse state than they are today.
The bravest of my neurons piped up.
“Louis. Cancel, and see what they say.”
Great idea.
“What would you say to stopping now? We cancel. And we find ourselves another date after the holidays. What do you think?”
And presto — in 3 minutes, a new slot was found.
The moral.
Facilitating means putting in a little of your own energy to mobilise that of the participants.
If their batteries are flat, it may be wise to save yours rather than chase an unreachable goal.
Dare to say stop.
