Facilitation is Leadership

Thank you to everybody who responded to my announcement about the book I've committed to writing.

With a title like Leading by Facilitation, there's one clear first question that comes to mind.

What are the differences and cross-overs between:

• leadership,
• facilitation, and
• facilitative leadership?

It's a tough question because the lines are blurry. Often, when we're facilitating - we're also leading. And vice versa.

I think of it like this. Leadership and facilitation are two unique practices, each with its own history, stories, ideas, and frameworks.

Each practice is like a magnet. When they're apart, they attract each other. But when they get closer, they start to repel each other. Both practices need each other; they co-exist.

The table above summarises some of my early thinking.

• On one side, we have facilitation - a practice that emphasizes neutrality, holding space, and serving the group's needs.
• On the other side, we have leadership - a practice that emphasizes setting the vision, creating clarity from confusion, and achieving results.

Now, that's not to say that facilitation doesn't achieve results... or that leadership doesn't care about process...

As I said, the lines are blurry!

What's going to be fun about this book is finding stories, case studies, and research that illustrates the tensions we must hold when leading through facilitation.

What do you think? I'd appreciate any off-the-cuff reflections on this week's somewhat philosophical newsletter!

Ngā mihi,

Paul

P.S. If you're in Auckland this coming Tuesday 26 September, come and join me for Granicus's Digital Engagement Roadshow. I'll be speaking about how you can influence internally and grow an engaging organization.