What is Integral Facilitation?

Integral Facilitation is a model based on Ken Wilber's Integral Map applied to the theory and practice of Facilitation and Group Process. This is a work in progress by FacilitatorU.com.

Why a Model of Integral Facilitation?

We are developing this model partly because of our passion for the Facilitative Skill Set, and partly because we feel that an "Integral" model that paints the big picture of this skill set, including its corresponding tools, techniques, behaviors, and desired outcomes, might be a useful tool for both new and seasoned change agents. With change happening so rapidly and so much seemingly at stake as our evolution accelerates, it seems to us that effective change agents will be key to helping us navigate and create a preferred future.

Below is a short summary of each quadrant of the model. By clicking on the diagrams on the home page, you can also view detailed maps of each quadrant.

Quadrant 1 (Upper Left (Q1)). The subjective, internal world of the Facilitator.

The upper left quadrant is concerned with the Facilitator’s inner world. We might call this the “self-facilitation” within which all competent facilitators must be actively engaged. As facilitators of healthy group process, we must be vigilant with regard to our personal values, biases, and motivations as these will impact our neutrality if they remain unconscious. Here we also talk about the various competencies an effective facilitator should possess, his/her temperament and how that impacts relating to the temperaments of other individuals and groups, and the level of consciousness of the facilitator relative to their group and how this might impact their approach.

Quadrant 2:Upper Right. The objective, external world.
The upper right quadrant contains all discussions involving the external world of things, which includes the observable behavior of the facilitator and the physical environments within which facilitation occurs. Here, we talk of the behaviors and personality attributes of an effective facilitator, together with the physical, logistical, and individual role components that impact the success of a group.

Quadrant 3: Lower Left. The collective, internal world.

The lower left quadrant deals with the collective internal world, in other words, “group culture.” Here we explore what it takes to design and implement processes that inspires an atmosphere that helps groups accomplish their goals and maintain or enhance their relationships. How do we get them to work effectively as groups, to learn as groups, and to take advantage of the synergy available only to groups? Here we look at methods, processes, and techniques that will help a group become a team and to develop consensus around vision, mission, values, and purpose—those internal motivators that fuel group action in the outer world.

Quadrant 4: Lower Right.. The collective, external world.

The lower right quadrant, the collective external domain, deals with the application of models, processes, structures, and strategies that may be employed to positively influence groups and organizations. One might refer to the elements here as the “mechanics” of Facilitation. Here we look at the behaviors of functional groups and employ strategies to support this behavior, and the many methods, processes, and techniques that will help a group develop effective plans, strategies, and solutions. In this quadrant, we are also concerned with the organizational dynamics present in a group and how that impacts and informs facilitation strategies.

Questions? Email info@integralfacilitation.com

© 2004. IntegralFacilitation.com. All Rights Reserved.