Cohort 9A: Sessions Evaluation
23 responses
What was most valuable about this Session for you?
practicing introducing a circle and running one
It was valuable to practice the intro and get feedback.
Practicing together and feedback.
Actually doing the facilitation. It was great practise.
Just being able to practice. "Role plays" are always scary but the practice is needed to build confidence.
The empathy circle
Seeing the group listen to one another and connect to the broader conversation was really powerful and allayed fears I had that sometimes circles can seem too stand alone without building that sense of community.
to train active listening without being distrected by other thoughts
To begin to understand how the role of facilitator can be embedded within the structure of the Empathic listening circle process.
Hearing everyone's intro practice.
The practice
Friendly encounters, active listening
The a-has I generated about my own self and my own knowledge based on the beautiful sharing of others in my group.
The ability to be part of the empathy circle and meet likeminded people
Practicing the introduction
What would you change about the Session to make it better for you?
all good
It felt hard for me to make the switch from the practice of how to introduce the circle to then practicing timekeeping while we were supposed to have authentic circles. It felt like too much and I left feeling disjointed.
Not sure.
Nothing
Nothing really, it needs to be experienced.
maybe allow for a full minute for each student to introduce themselves on the first class
Nothing at present, it was all clearly explained and lovely to meet everyone.
nothing
To have had a more structured discussion about the process at the end if the circle.
Seemed good.
Longer practice time
nothing
We may need a bio break built in
The timing but I suppose it is meant for North America folks
More time to reflect at the end of the circle practice session
What questions are in your mind right now about facilitating Empathy Circles?
nothing
none . just focusing on learning the process
When someone shares something deeply challenging (such as a recent cancer diagnosis/treatment) and then their time is up, the next Active Speaker could potentially totally switch gears and talk about something else. I fear that this will create awkwardness and feel incomplete. How do you handle that, especially if the next speaker just moves on, and there is not a place for questions and follow up in the structure of the circle process?
I hope I can do it effectively!
None
I don't have any at the moment.
none
I wonder whether I can find ways to hold political discussions using this format - can empathy circles be used to begin difficult conversations on divisive subjects?
How can I do it AND participate concurrently.
I don't have any at this time.
Currently don't have any right now.
I am a cheerful person so I find when I reflect what someone has shared I speak with a tone of happiness, while the other person may have shared something sad or frustrating and I want to better meet their emotion with my reflection. Should the time that it takes to share a thought take the same/more amount of time as the person reflecting? It seemed that some active listeners took a lot of time repeating/paraphrasing back to the Speaker. Do you ever begin with statements of confidentiality, or about how this process is therapeutic and not therapy as form of disclaimer in case people are potentially re-traumatized by what they share or worry about privacy?
Should the time that it takes to share a thought take the same/more amount of time as the person reflecting? It seemed that some active listeners took a lot of time repeating/paraphrasing back to the Speaker. Do you ever begin with statements of confidentiality, or about how this process is therapeutic and not therapy as form of disclaimer in case people are potentially re-traumatized by what they share or worry about privacy?
statements of confidentiality, or about how this process is therapeutic and not therapy as form of disclaimer in case people are potentially re-traumatized by what they share or worry about privacy?
None, am excited to lead one this Friday with my group of survivors
Can I do it?
Should the time that it takes to share a thought take the same/more amount of time as the person reflecting? It seemed that some active listeners took a lot of time repeating/paraphrasing back to the Speaker.
What is a Empathy Circle Facilitation Challenge you have experienced, have seen or imagine having? Describe it and any questions, concerns, comments, ideas, etc. about it? (we will try to address those in the Session.)
In the circles i have run, people have a hard time pausing when it is their turn to speak. They respond well to my gentle request for a pause.
It relates to my question above.
Someone refuses to follow the process
I have only seen one, where I was on the active listening end of a longer conversation and trying to reflect it all, but I received feedback I handled it well, and it was observed by the facilitator, but corrected itself in the group. So all good so far, I am sure I will see more and learn more as time goes by.
just knowing when to let something go or when to intervene as a facilitator
How can I ensure that in a circle I can create a space that is both safe and open for people to express themselves authentically, but also does not encourage too much personal vulnerability in a way that I cannot support participants? This debate about therapy vs therapeutic is on my mind.
staying focused on the other persons perspectives
Keeping people to the process. Needing to prompt feedback from the listener.
Just trying to keep it all together as a facilitator and participant.
nothing for now
I worry about being distracted or not fully able to participate because I feel like I am leading or monitoring the process, which may lead to some detachment.
None at the moment
Having a listener show just the top of their head and not reflect back when i as speaker have paused.
Write a question you think we could add to this post-session survey?
None
NA
Can't think of any right now.
no
none
Did you feel heard?
non
How did you feel after the session?
None come to mind.
nothing now
Was the session length ok?