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Title: Extreme Facilitation
Author: Suzanne Ghais
Publisher: Josey-Bass (2005)
If we visualize facilitation and mediation as two components of a ven diagram, certainly there would be a significant area of overlap. Interestingly, the author of this excellent book, Suzanne Ghais, is on the staff of the world renowned CDR Associates. Over the years CDR Associates has conducted highly regarded training programs involving both mediation and facilitation and has engaged in mediation and facilitation throughout the world. In any event, both the title and the content of this book caused me to flash onto and re-examine another favorite Josey-Bass (2001) publication, Mediating Dangerously, by Kenneth Cloke.
So, what does Ms. Ghais mean when she's uses the term "extreme facilitation?" "Extreme facilitation is a creative endeavor..." (P4). "The extreme facilitator is an architect of a custom process...[which] requires a deep understanding of the group [and] knowledge of a wide range of possible technique." (P4). Interestingly Ms. Ghais states that "the extreme facilitatior must have a strong presence." (P4) Here she is speaking of a facilitator who exudes creditability, takes control, reflects that she cares, develops trust, and remains centered during stormy weather. (P4-5). Finally, she asserts that the facilitator must draw on all of the group's capabilities - physical, intellectual, emotional, intuitive, creative, and even spiritual. (P5).
Similarly, what does Cloke mean when he says that mediators must be willing to mediate dangerously? Mediators, he says, must "be willing to bring a deep, dangerous level of honesty and empathy to the dispute resolution process. He explains that he utilizes "a modified vision of the transformative model, based on a more intuitive, integrative, dangerous approach...." (P 11-12). Mediators, he says, must create choices. (Cloke P11).
Throughout her book Ms. Ghais weaves "stories" based upon her vast experience that illustrate the points she wishes to make about "extreme facilitation." This story telling technique is particularly powerful as Ghais tells of both her successes and misadventures.
I do want, however, to focus on as a topic that both she and Cloke address - spirituality. Ghais looks "at the essence of spirituality (separate from any particular religious tradition) and focuses on helping people transcend their base and selfish natures." (P 231). "Extreme facilitators," suggests Ghais, tap "possessive's spiritual capacity" [and] help them to be their best, to rise to the toughest of challenges, and possibly to make peace with their enemies." (P231). Ghais explains "extreme facilitators" must have a strong spiritual core or an "inner, spiritual strength" (See generally, (P 232-233). She Reflects that a strong spiritual core may be all that is necessary to call it forth from others. (Id). In trying to define spirituality across spiritual traditions she addresses the concepts of love, faith, hope, gratitude, truthfulness, and community. (P233-252).
Ghais notes that when she has been unable to cultivate brotherly love it has been because she has failed to form a trusting relationship and has failed to break through another's intransigence (P234). Insightfully, Ghais suggests "that everyone has a good inner core, and that their negative ways.....arise from pain.... [and that] if we can understand the pain that underscores the negativity, we can invoke our passion." (P235). Again, she pushes the "extreme facilitator" to "work hard to understand the people we can't relate to." (P236). Finally, Ghais points out their "extreme facilitator" by modeling their spirituality evoke the spiritual potential of the group.
Similarly, Cloke says "[m]ediating conflict spiritually is dangerous....because of....its infinite depth, and the heartless vulnerability it requires. Mediating spiritually is dangerous because it is the ground on which every conflict and every resolution rests..." (Cloke, P101). Cloke speaks of "spirit" and references it as the "essence" or "life force." (Cloke P 120). To reach resolution, forgiveness "reconciliation of transformation Cloke says mediators must use dangerous forms of empathy, honesty, listening, and acknowledgment, and ownership. (See Cloke P 115 and 117).
Thus, both Ghais and Cloke argue that "extreme facilitation" and "dangerous mediation" require that practitioners be in touch with their inner core in order to reach the core of their clients. Ghais like Cloke is clearly at the top of her profession and just as clearly she has written an exciting and effective book.
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