I’m in a well-lit room on a cold, dark winter day. The trees outside appear bare and lifeless. There is a wildness to the weather outside. The team of five that I am working with have known wildness and have broken. It is time to go down into the roots, into the dirt below the surface. This is where new growth begins. The team is taking time to regenerate, like the trees in winter. It is healing and new possibilities are being imagined. This ‘broken’ team are engaged in some ‘deep listening’. They are hearing what it is like for their colleagues being on this team, how difficult it has been at times, and regrets over things that have been said and done. After 3 days of this ‘rooting down’ into the dirt, they are different. They are more together (with stronger roots), with renewed energy, and lighter somehow.
My part to play in this ‘magic’ was as the facilitator. This is my craft. Knowing instinctively when to delve a little further, knowing when to ask a challenging question, knowing when to stay silent, knowing when to inject more energy, knowing when to tell a story, knowing when to hold back on sharing my own experience. Knowing when you don’t know what to do and being calm in that moment. Noticing a roll of the eyes, being curious about the things that aren’t being said, sensing and diffusing the tension in the room. All my senses fully switched on, fully alert to what is present in the room. Fully present to all that is alive in the room.
At a recent team meeting we were discussing the growing influence of AI in the field of organisational learning and development. We shared that we have noticed the ease with which anybody can now pull together a programme of learning on a particular topic using ChatGPT. Could the twenty years of experience with facilitating group dynamics be replicated too by AI?
We then asked ourselves, “So what is it we do, that AI doesn’t do?”
I answered, “In the moment relational intelligence – that’s our craft!”. We are not teachers. We are not trainers. We co-create moments: penny-drop moments, a-ha moments; moments of inspiration, moments of healing, moments of change and transition. These moments are co-created in the main because of our relational intelligence. Relational intelligence is the capacity to understand, navigate, and manage complex relationships effectively. It involves a blend of social awareness, emotional intelligence, communication skills, and the ability to perceive and interpret social dynamics and cues. That is the value we add, that is what people pay us for. The ability to use this relational intelligence to create moments of change. Those moments are not random, they are the result of twenty years of honing our craft to get a group to that point of change, healing, insight, or inspiration.
In an era where AI is revolutionising various industries, the significance of human facilitation, especially in managing group dynamics, remains irreplaceable. While AI offers efficiency and data-driven insights, the essence of human interaction lies beyond algorithms and automation.
A human facilitator brings emotional intelligence, empathy, and a nuanced understanding of interpersonal relationships and culture that AI simply cannot replicate. They can read subtle cues, navigate complex emotions, and adapt in real-time to the evolving needs of a group. These skills are crucial for fostering trust, encouraging open communication, and resolving conflicts—core components of effective group dynamics.
Moreover, a human facilitator creates a sense of community and belonging. They can inspire and motivate individuals, drawing out shared experiences and common hopes to strengthen team cohesion. In scenarios requiring sensitivity and moral judgment, human intuition and ethical consideration are paramount. AI lacks the contextual awareness and moral compass necessary to handle such situations delicately.
In my opinion, AI cannot replace the depth of human connection and insight required to facilitate and manage group dynamics effectively……. yet!
If you would like to experience the gifts of our facilitation as part of a leadership programme or team development session, then we’d be delighted if you were to get in touch.
Thank you
Tim
At andpartnership: Leadership Consultants & Change Experts we offer a wide range of learning options and can co create learning to suit individuals, teams or organisations needs. We can build your people management skills toolkit in order for you to reach your full potential. Together we aim to support the development the line managers in your organisation.
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Or get in touch with us on +44 (0)1623 883910 to arrange a virtual call with one of our team. Thank you, Tim Vaughan
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