(Resolving Conflict)

On the 29th July, a diverse group of students were introduced to the course outline for:
Self-Mastery Through Mindful Facilitation Skills.
As previously expressed, I was initially uncomfortable with the flow of Day 1 which seemed to me to be uncoordinated chaos (my Mental Model).
During this session, we were invited to choose a number for a group that we would join for our practical facilitation activity. When I moved along to the Group 8 assembly point, there was a bit of awkwardness as the team members readily practiced a recently acquired technique on each other, the Check-In. In retrospect, these elements related to our team dynamics which were unfolding into the Forming stage, (of the Team Cohesion process). By the end of this class, and at the end of our group 8 discussion I was even more confused than when I had started.
As the day progressed, our team started brain storming ideas for our facilitation topic. We also experienced transformation as we had to give up a member (Paul who moved to Group 1) and later, to our benefit we gained another member, Thando. One of our team members, Zodidi, would also be away on maternity leave for a few weeks, and she later reconnected with the team in preparation for our big day.
As we observed the range of exciting and interesting facilitation offerings from Groups 1 – 7 (except when I was locked out for Group 5’ presentation)…the pressure started mounting, for us to be original, and to ensure that our facilitation module, presented both form and substance. We all worked very hard to deliver accordingly.
During the coordination of the logistics for setting up the room, I shared with my team members how excluded I had felt one Saturday, when I was locked out of the room. I was very annoyed with Group 5, as I had entered the FNB building around 8:34. My delay was not due to tardiness, but due to a need for collecting documents at my workplace in Bryanston before coming to class. I suggested to our group, that we keep the door open throughout our facilitation piece and remove any barriers from the window. Claudia suggested that we set up the room in such a manner that the audience would face the windows with their backs to the door, so that while we are facilitating, there would be even less distraction when latecomers filtered in to class.
Thank you Group 8 for the manner in which we leveraged the talents of each individual member. There were so many laughs, takes and re-takes as we practiced the Mime and later as we refined our production.
The remainder of the Theory session which Ros had facilitated added an extra dimension to a very special experience.
Whilst Conflict may be perceived as a serious topic, I believe that we were empowered to recognise and manage conflict in a sensitive manner through Meaningful Conversation.
Thank you Team Great for a wonderful journey of learning, self -enrichment and team work: Kgabi, Neo, Claudia, Fulu, Thando, Zainab, Zodidi & Jolene!
