I have been musing on visibility and invisibility of late. Recently I have presented a number of conference sessions, runs some development workshops, and facilitated awaydays for a number of organisations.
Clearly, when speaking at a conference one is in the spotlight. Whilst I frequently include quite high levels of participation, there is an expectation that the presenter takes centre stage and delivers some insight.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzP0tBmi6GVLKFafA-t97-TYlXAR-mUuysbzhsMk1CGn_EkIEAWg7cYJCLmP9mgh9qwG1e979OvR0OyZmwPUmjD4bOwCJWGCtrDY5S6GOLisX-379DqILYcWWLH9fySKbIR7Fw_mQWoP8/s1600/images.jpeg)
Frequently my most important work is done in advance of the day:
- helping define what the issues are that need addressing
- devising the best process for addressing them,
- helping position people to engage positively with them;
and so on. On the day itself, I may take a much less visible role.
Quiet roles a facilitator may fulfil (sometimes merely by his or her presence and manner) include:
- creating and sustaining a safe and positive space for the conversation,
- agreeing and sustaining ground rules,
- managing the time so participants can focus on the issues,
- summarising discussions and moving the agenda on; and
- ensuring clear next steps are agreed.
But the feedback I get from clients when I seem to do very little is almost always very supportive: here is a quotation from one: Especial thanks to Andrew. It takes real skill to be so totally unobtrusive, and yet completely in control!
So I think we should trust our clients (who, after all, want an effective event, not a showboating facilitator) to recognise our contribution, and not worry about being seen to perform.