On May 2-5, 2011, OPSEU members and staff
had the opportunity to co-facilitate portions of OPSEU
designed courses, critique their own work, give feedback on
the facilitation done by their colleagues and brainstorm
around some strategies to handle difficult conversations.
The training buzzed with activity as the
participants, who brought with them a diverse set of skills
and goals, challenged their energy and enthusiasm into
creating new, unique and exciting ways to co-facilitate. The
Train the Trainer program examined barriers to equitable
participation, encouraged participants to comment on some
facilitation nightmares demonstrated in a short skit,
highlighted the importance of getting to know your audience
and discussed some challenges that may be encountered when
co-facilitating.
Participants co-facilitating a piece
on Dealing with Workplace Conflict.
Some strategies to handle difficult
conversations identified by participants are:
-
addressing issues “head on”,
-
setting time limits for off
topic but necessary discussion,
-
rapid/accurate recognition of
issues that arise,
-
using clear simple language,
-
enforcing agreed upon
guidelines and
-
remaining calm.
The course also included a team building
exercise from the “Minute to Win It” game show which
added some well-deserved humour and also showed how
competitive participants become when challenged.
