SAMARA CONSULTING

My Approach

The role of a neutral facilitator can be very valuable in strengthening teams and moving visions forward with synergy. I see facilitation as a way of lending guidance of a meeting process without fully taking the reins.​​ I do this by "escorting" teams through the structure and process of group interactions in ways that encourages members to express themselves creatively. This supports teams in applying their whole set of skills, experience, and insights to make high-quality decisions and agreements.

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Key to this process is defending inclusion, and striving for a sense of belonging for everyone. So, I pay close attention to group dynamics, power differences, and psychological safety so all participants can contribute meaningfully while staying focused on outcomes.

My practice of facilitation is very adaptive to the needs and culture of an organization, as well as the goals at hand. I believe that for some situations consensus may be an appropriate means of moving forward. For these, I value a process that relies on relation-building over the following of format. For other situations, I help groups identify and apply the decision-making agreements they would like to use. Similarly, I might serve groups with a high level of intervention to help catalyze energy and engagement; or I may bring a lower level of input for groups who have more-established processes. Ultimately teams experience a synergy that supports greater commitment to goals. 

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My Tools

I tailor the design of each meeting to its purpose, participants, and context. Depending on the goals, I draw from a wide range of collaborative approaches and facilitation methods, including:
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• Circle practice

• Systems thinking

• Appreciative Inquiry

• Open Space Technology

• Strategic planning processes

• Equity-centered engagement

• Human-centered and participatory design

• Art of Hosting practices, such as World Café

• Transformative conflict resolution and mediation

• Decision-making analysis tools, such as: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT), or Needs, Opportunities, Improvements, Strengths, and Exceptions (NOISE) 
  
   

What is Success?
A successful facilitation occurs when: 
 

• A group's mission, purpose, strategy and goals are evident and agreed to by all   

• The contributions and unique talents of group members are drawn out

• Members develop collaborative solutions, decisions, and plans

• Members learn from each other, even during disagreement

• Commitment and passion for the group’s work is amplified 

• A safe environment is created and creativity flourishes 

• Members are supported in communicating effectively

• Group cohesiveness and trust is furthered

My Experience
I have designed and facilitated processes for groups ranging from five participants to more than 500, including government agencies, United Nations humanitarian teams, nonprofit coalitions, Indigenous and community organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and cross-sector partnerships. My work has included local community forums, organizational strategy sessions, humanitarian coordination, public engagement initiatives, leadership gatherings, and international conferences. Read about these initiatives in the "Projects and Collaborations" page.

Whether the objective is community engagement, strategic planning, organizational development, public participation, coalition building, or collaborative problem solving, I create processes that help groups move from dialogue to shared understanding—and from shared understanding to meaningful action.