37 responsesÂ
What was most valuable about this Session for you?
The opportunity to practice
Learning to facilitate. Clarity on why we use this process of paraphrasing
Sharing
Na
The feedback and timeouts mid circle to help us learn how to facilitate. I also appreciated the text in the chat to be able to read on my own some of the key points that were voiced.
I am learning about distractions and timing
A very safe learning space
Practicing active listening
sincere authentic communication
Hearing the different introduction to Empathy Circle, hearing others' empathy statements & noticing what would work for me in my situations.
Not too much to overwhelm me and easy to learn from.
The chance to practice and observe other people practice, feedback.
Buddy call practice
experiencing yet another facilitation style
I very much appreciated the atmosphere of enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.
The process really helps to keep everyone safe. Making clear request helps the process. Trust in myself, trust in the process, trust that others will help me in holding the circle.
The challenges
For me was to get a chance to practice To facilitate a circle outside my family
Being validated
I learned a lot from being challenged during my facilitation
To deal with challenges! One never knows what kind of challenge would be thrown up by the participants.
I could see my self giving that space and listening to others and in the process also doing self reflection.
The session felt very supportive.
This session, there was a particular atmosphere of Trust. I really felt this is my breakout group with Larry, Lizzie, and Kesha. The whole process was incredibly collaborative. Most of my fears and hesitations were pretty much immediately assuaged once we all checked in on each other at the beginning of the session. We were able to work together to build the best shared learning environment. Our feedback exchange was both kind and constructive. A special mention to Lizzie, our trainer for the session, who guided us through the whole thing with such grace and compassion (and fun!). I can't believe our cohort's last session is already so soon.
The opportunity to practice responding to disruptions, challenges within a circle.
Challenging
Second guessing myself and getting the reassurance to follow my gut.
Challenges
Leona's Master facilitator's role. Learnt a few more things today from everyone in the breakout and main room
To tackle the challenges and seeing other facilitators handle their situations. Edwin's skillful adjustment of challenges. Leana's clear, detailed feedback. Constant kindness throughout. I enjoyed seeing the circle from the disruptor's point of view. I also enjoyed listening to others' experience with the culture of empathy. The connection of each person with the vision of spreading empathy globally and the connection among participants were beautiful.
Actually, it was mind blowing talking and listening. Our breakout group seemed to get deeper and deeper, and we really could break into what we needed to say and the overall breakout room was filled with fascinating ideas brought forth by a multitude of people.
Practicing the facilitator role and observing others practice.
Being able to practice facilitating the session.
The our facilitator trainer/guide gave us enough time to ask our questions and comments about the teachable moments that came up when we were practicing our positions as future facilitators.
Having to deal with challenges and recognizing that they were challenges was also challenging
expanding the experience of trust in the power of empathy
Experiencing challenges in the circle and how to navigate them.
What would you change about the Session to make it better for you?
nothing
Instructions for the practice can be structured. The trainees are expected to facilitate 2 pieces of know-how (1) context setting and How-To in the main room and (2) Facilitating the circle. We can even call it scene 1 and 2
as of now nothing. all my questions were answered
Na
Spend a bit more time about how to facilitate our own circle outside of class
I get nervous with the challenges when I am still learning basic timing.
I think the sessions should be planned for 1.5 hrs
Having more facilitator intro practices
Can we include a debrief for the small group, along the lines of "What helped you to empathize/ listen better? When did you feel the most heard over the past hour and why?"
Maybe progress to three buddies?
Can we please have a 3-5 minute break in the middle? 2.5 hours is quite long for a lot of talk.
Nothing
Nothing at the moment
I thoroughly enjoyed my breakout session that I wish it had been longer. It was a generally good experience for me.
Maybe we can shorten the Q&A at the start and have some of the questions become the topics in the breakout groups. That would help to gather the wisdom of everyone in the group and make the discussion more helpful rather than letting each facilitator choose their own topic.
Maybe some conceptual inputs
N/A
I wouldn't change anything
Maybe a warning about how tiring the challenges would be
I wish for shorter check ins and closures as I lose track of who said what after a point.
I am not sure at the moment
nothing today
It was already pretty great for me!
It was great
Advise not to overdo challenge in this challenge
It would be awesome if I could do it again to try another strategy in the same challenge scenario.
Its good the way it is
Can we pool all feedbacks from all participants & trainers/trainees for each breakout room and sent that in the follow up email (the one with buddy assignment)? Then we can review our challenges and perhaps work on it in the buddy call.
I guess I need to buy a blue took ear buds and microphone. I can't believe I spent that much on a new phone, and they didn't include ear buds and entirely changed the connection outlet.
Nothing really. But I do want to acknowledge that I feel kind of bad that I specifically named a Challenge situation in the last feedback form because it maybe called out a person, and I'm thinking/feeling that I didn't have to do it that way.
I think having the facilitation checklist/guide would be helpful.
I don't know. I'm hesitant to say because that might influence everyone's teaching style and I don't want that. I feel like it's good that we get regular new trainer's every week in the breakout rooms to get different viewpoints and pointers of what they are see/saying towards what we are doing.
A suggestion for facilitators to state up front that they might interrupt if the structure is followed so that it is clear to all when interruptions occur
I know that I need to be a better active listener. I'm realizing that recapping is difficult when I'm thinking to paraphrase or get the gist of what the speaker is saying. So I want to practice repeating back the words I hear and then grow my listening and reflecting back from there. Also, I'd remember that the EC structure holds in training class even while the Trainers are talking back and forth, and that I can still facilitate and guide the process! :)
What questions are in your mind right now about facilitating Empathy Circles?
None at the moment
none for now
empathy practice empathy
I have a question and so using this form Often we are able to bring in empathy during a normal/ good day. However during intense emotions of anger, hurt, fear we are not able to hold the learning the adaptability to turn to what we learn in empathy. Was hoping to hear your views.
What are some ways to react if someone is making the circle feel unsafe? How does a circle of 2 change from a circle of 4?
That even with my VPN on a cyber bully is there.
How does one work with conflict?
1.5 hrs seems like a long time but it goes by fast
hoping to remain calm and present the process clearly
How to I introduce Empathy Circles to my family and friends in a concise, simply way but still make sure everyone understand the structure spirit of empathy? What are the pros and cons of facilitating an online vs an offline circle?
The large group facilitation is a bit threatening. I tend to freeze.
How can I receive constructive feedback to improve my listening/ facilitation, both from the participants in my circles and from other facilitators?
Can I take this on?
I have three questions however I would wait for some more sessions to happen- they may get answered themselves
One that comes to mind is "How can I be a more approachable and trustworthy facilitator?"
What can we do when the listener reflects in way too many words compared to the original message?
1. How do we decide the topic for discussion in the circle. Is there a rationale 2. A question not related to the circle but about the next circle 11B, is this an extension of the first part for group 11. Is it similar/different. Just want to know more
Can the active listener reflect on the speaker when it his time to speak ?
What are some tips for facilitators who may get anxious?
What other difficult behaviors would come up?
1. What does one do when the group is unruly? 2. How does one empathise with participants who transgress and disrupt the process? 3. How does one deal with group silence?
1. How I can conduct more empathy circles, as right now I can do it more with my family and colleagues.
no questions right now
I was just wondering if having a "normal" conversation after an Empathy Circle would be a good idea. Just to process the experience, maybe. What is a good way to close an Empathy Circle. A "check out" perhaps? Just a few quick words from each person to close?
None at the moment.
How do I work with complex foreign languages?
What am I waiting for?
practice practice practice
How can I practice to make my thoughts and speech clear and concise?
I got the commitment of my brother and sister to participate and are there any groups for just women' as in out the region of Africa?
none
I want to know what types of challenges everyone else run into as we facilitate more Empathy circles and gain new experiences/
I don't know.
Difficulties in forming the circles
practice, practice, practice
This is not a question but more of a concern after last night. Although I have facilitated 3 circles so far (and just about to host another one this morning) this has not happened, but I'm worried I may get triggered by a challenge and not catch things happening in the group that need redirection or guidance. I'm guessing that continuing to practice presence is the way to go. I found it helpful to read the comments on the Challenges document to get me envisioning how to handle various situations.
What is a Empathy Circle Facilitation Challenge you have experienced, have seen or imagine having? Describe it and any questions, concerns, comments, ideas, etc. about it? (we will try to address those in the Session.)
I think different groups would have different understanding of listening and speaking. I think we might need to add more tips under Speaker and Listener's roles i.e Speaker : "Choose to express in best possible way for the other to understand you" and Listener : " Set an intention to be there for the speaker so that they feel fully understood and supported". This might remove any ambiguity around how to speak and listen.
how do you do it with people who don't know, and you don't want to tell them this is an empathy circle
staying calm and friendly without becoming too direct or judgmental
Na
How to appropriately cut in when someone is speaking too long and it is hard for the listener to summarize, what to do if someone in the circle makes threatening or derogatory remarks to someone else
The interfering cyber bully crime
Difficult with people who refuse to listen to another.
I imagine getting jittery/freezing up on my first few attempts leading a circle on my own
noticing any "mind wandering" and then coming back to the present moment quickly
People have nothing to say and this culture of "speak what's alive in you" feels scary and unfamiliar.
I realized I lost focus when I got tense by straying into blankness or just an old person brain freeze.
I get overwhelmed by doing facilitation and timer. It's a bit much on iPhone
I haven't experienced any challenge yet.
As much as I love the practice of (active) listening, it still takes quite a toll on me, especially as a facilitator. I sometimes find myself physically and emotionally exhausted. Aside from practicing active listening and participating in more Empathy Circles, I'd love to know more about other practices or rituals other, more experienced facilitators might have that helps them with this issue.
People coming late or leaving early.
Participants wanting to give advice
I imagine someone not enjoying the empathy circle and messing up the energy. I would probably tell them they have the power to just silently listen or log off the zoom, but it would be difficult to do so.
I have put my questions above
1. Challenge I face is on the active listening, if someone is sharing something and resonate with it or that is a trigger for me, I cannot do active listening in that case, I tend to switch off. 2. Express myself
When someone says something that is potentially triggering (e.g. gender stereotypes, rape, etc.), I imagine trying to say something to address it, to neutralize the space when it's my turn to speak. Would love to hear about how to handle these kind of situations.
I get quite drained after putting so much energy into actively listening or just facilitating, even. Aside from just experience more Empathy Circles, I would love to know other ways experienced facilitators have dealt with this "facilitating fatigue".
Just getting more experience with knowing when and how to intervene when required.
We went through many. I think don't do 5 in first session.
What if you do offend someone? If someone feels genuinely hurt by not being able to do what they want?
trying to remain calm and empathic during the facilitators "challenges"
I have added them in the Challenges Catalogue and they have already been discussed so nothing pending at the moment.
Someone with authority decides to leave the circle early.
It's hard for me to formulate enough words to be a facilitator.
I am just interested to understand how to handle potentially "triggering" situations. I get that people can say any manner of things to express what's going on for them, and that is completely what the Empathy Circle is for. I am interested in these challenging situations and how they can be facilitated to promote empathy and deeper understanding.
Keeping track of time, providing a concise intro while setting clear expectations.
To remind others to be patient with themselves and others in this whole empathy Circle/E.C facilitation process.
Time keeping and speakers not wanting to agree to time frames in advance
i need more practice so that i don't stubble and become nervous
See the "What would you change" question above.
Write a question you think we could add to this post-session survey?
N/A
Na
None at the moment.
?
NA
none
would you like to see empathy circles taught in schools
What is something we learned today? What feeling do we have from today?
What can be done to secure the rooms? I used a VPN and he is still ruining my life.
Do you have an experience of empathy being tiring?
nothing yet
Is empathic communication important for peace of mind?
How about "Is there anything you'd like to offer our cohort in the upcoming days?"
How can you challenge yourself more in empathy circle facilitation? Or as a participant?
How well do you know the empathy core values?
Ques- "Would you recommend this training to friends and anyone you think would benefit from it?"
"How are you feeling?" :^)
None at the moment
Do you feel personal growth during the sessions?
If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for to succeed conducting an empathy circle!
Not sure
Maybe a simple "How are you?"
What skill have you developed today with respect to participating/facilitating in an Empathy Circle?
How to reduce the stress by modifying the challenge exercises?
What level of challenge did you request? Did you feel sufficiently challenged?
did you know practicing empathic communication improves your imagination?
How likely re you going to recommend this program to others?
Is there enough material to study from on types of forms of empathy.
What does the process of a empathy circle remind you of/What's another thing that is similar to it?
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would you like to see empathy taught in school from kindergarten all the way to college?
How and where do you want to implement EC?