Standing in the Fire

10 PREPARE TO LEAD

If I’m to work successfully with others, I have to remember who I am. So before “we” show up, I do a bit of “me work” and remember who I am.

—Chris GrantProcess Facilitator, 14A Conversations

FOR MANY LEADERS AND FACILITATORS, what happens just before the meeting is largely a matter of agenda review, materials production, and logistics related to the meeting space. Those are important activities. However, there are other important practices related to preparing. These enable us to settle into our own rhythm and intention for the day, connect with meeting participants on a human level, sense the mood in the room, and do the little things that help to create a container in which people will be able to do their best work together. ...