Temenos approach to facilitating groups

Developed based on 25 years of business consultancy experience, Temenos Vision Lab(TVL) helps change agents discover their True Personal Vision and groups their Compelling Shared Vision. TVL uses proprietary tools and unique methods to help change agents in this quest.

But TVL makes use of one other aspect which  helps make it successful- using the best practices in facilitating groups.

In fact, you may find something inspiring/useful in the Temenos approach to facilitating groups that you may adopt in your own practice. With this in mind, here are the elements of the Temenos approach to facilitating groups.

The crux of facilitating groups is nurturing communities

Having a clear purpose

Arguably the worst thing you can do while arranging a meeting is do so without any clear agenda in mind. That way, you would not just be disrespecting the effort you put towards the meeting but are also devaluing the time of those who attend the gathering.

Temenos Vision Lab is held with the clear objective of helping change agents discover their vision. Many a time, you are confused regarding the forward path in the absence of a personal vision, and a remedy to this scenario is exactly what TVL aims to achieve.

Having an open context

While the purpose need be well-defined, the context could be more open. A narrow context makes the meeting a largely one-sided affair. Here, by context is meant the space which encapsulates both the participants and the leadership consultants who guide them in TVL sessions. As mentioned before, TVL helps you discover your True Personal Vision- something that could be discovered only in your self.

To arrive at this vision, you go through multiple steps which variably help you self-reflect, articulate personal narratives and share the narratives with others. In other words, TVL is highly participatory in which all participants are an active part of the self-discovery process.

The context is thus more open, and to paraphrase as old saying: The management coaches are there to guide you, but it’s you who should walk through the door.

Creating friendly spaces

A crucial failing of many group events is the lack of warmth or humaneness. More often than not, these events have a ‘programmed’ quality that’s more mechanical than human.  

TVL, meanwhile, offers the exact opposite kind of space- one where individuals are encouraged to form or deepen friendships. For such intimacy is necessary for fruitful exchange of ideas, without which no learning is complete.

For instance, TVL helps sharing of your Personal Mythology with others in the group. This helps the individuals understand each other better, thereby fostering a stronger bond.

Do for the group what they can’t do for themselves

A paternalistic mode of facilitating groups could be demeaning for the group. The best practice is to allow the group to pursue the agenda with a meeting/gathering with minimal intervention.

In TVL, a team is enabled to discover their compelling shared vision- a goal towards which they could move as a unit. This vision is to be realized from among the individuals, and is not to be forced on them from the outside. So, the job of the facilitator is to help the team frame the vision and not define one for them in the first place.

The idea of minimal interference is considered sacrosanct in TVL, so that the change agents experience a transformation which is as personal as it is professionally useful.

The nuances of language

A group is comprised not just of the individuals and the physical space in which they meet. The language the team members use also defines the quality of the group. Using the right words to communicate the right meanings would go a long way in improving the quality of interactions and also the understanding of key concepts.

That’s why Temenos has developed an entire vocabulary to define the major concepts which a change agent would need for effective transformation. You could download for free the e e-book, ‘A Guide To Temenos Vocabulary.’

Ensuring everyone is heard

This is meant both in the literal and figurative sense. Not only should every group member’s voice be heard, but his or her opinions and views should also be valued.

Since a key objective of TVL is to enable groups discover their Compelling Shared Vision, it’s doubly important that everyone’s views form part of the vision they realize.

In TVL, this is ensured by the use of Influence Maps- a proprietary tool that helps change agents map the various influences that address their behavior and decision-making.

One of the steps in Influence Maps is Personal Mythology which helps every change agent frame a personal narrative of growth- encapsulating both their past and future. They are then encouraged to share this narrative with others in the group.

Temenos + Agility LHM System Thinking Model 

Temenos + Agility has developed general and specific guidance for mindset change (which many organizations face challenges in changing mindset of the people) by enabling change-agents through a System Thinking Model called as LHM Model. LHM stands for Language, Habits, and Mindset. LHM can be explained by an Iceberg model, and related action items for enabling change are Training, Coaching, Learning Structure to support Language, Habits and Mindset change. 

This ensures that everyone’s story is heard before the group proceeds towards the discovery of their shared vision.