13.D Feedback

What was most valuable about this Session for you? 22 responses 

1. 1. The opportunity to be empathic and practice empathy

   2. Participating in an empathy circle and talking about values and how those connect to empathy.

   3. Empathy

   4. sharing our values with each other and how that relates to empathy

   5. getting the opportunity to talk about facilitating, actually do it, get feedback, observe others facilitating, give them feedback, feel supported and engage in the empathy circle, and then hear about the experiences of everyone/what they learned in the final debrief

   6. Starting off with values as the topic opened up a rich sharing while baselining a shared empathy experience

   7. Learning what Empathy Circles are.

   8. Connection

   9. being reminded to slow down

   10. Having a go and observing others

   11. connection with others and trust building

   12. Learning how to facilitate an empathy circle along with having a safe space to do so.

   13. safe space to practice

   14. Connecting with my breakout room group. They were amazing in their insights and challenged me to think and feel in a focused and more productive way.

   15. An experiential learning

   16. practicing the facilitation role

   17. The connection that I felt to the people in my circle

   18. The help that the circle gives me to help me listen better than talking.(which is hard for me.)

   19. Opportunity

   20. Talking about what makes sense during an Empathy Circle with different people really allows an immediate deeper connection

   21. Additional learning and practice opportunities.

   22. having the opportunity to speak my mind and be fully heard and also to be able to take a step back and just be there for others

What would you change about the Session to make it better for you? 

1. nothing

2. Nothing

3. n/a

4. Nothing

5. I think it would have been good to get some kind of a "hand out" for learning objectives and course content. Maybe I missed where they can be found!

6. Frequency

7. it was perfect!

8. I always seem to need a little more contextual introduction or "best practices" in my training, or before practicing and lead in so that everyone can be on the same page, but I realize with each session that the beauty of this is the openness and how safety builds with the group as we practice. I appreciated the overview of the curriculum for the 5 weeks. Perhaps I missed it, but more of a reminder when the breakouts start of what today's specific training is about would be helpful. And also the role of a Trainer vs Trainee vs participant.

9. I am unsure if it was due to my lack of internet service on Saturday, but I believe better structure in the beginning of the group would be best. Especially for individuals like myself in training who did not know what an empathy circle is. I would like to know more.

10. 1x role play to start the "facilitation" training. for example - a trainer can run through the "welcome and greet" THEN pass it off. Tell, Show, do style.

11. slightly shorter

12. N/a

13. I would include a 10 minute break. The listening and speaking is intense and requires full attention. I could have used a 10 minute walk around the house or yard, a cup of tea and some reflection time.

14. The length of time.

15. Having a space where we can follow up the conversation with the group the next few days

16. Nothing at this time.

What questions are in your mind right now about facilitating Empathy Circles? 

1. None

2. I've joined as a participant so that I can help my son. I don't foresee becoming a facilitator.

3. How to build confidence and deal with imposter syndrome.

4. 0

5. None at this time

6. how to do empathy circles with youth? I volunteer weekly at a middle school/high school in Oakland and would love to try this out with kids, but worried about cooperation/focus

7. What is a good balance of mental/emotional preparation, training and practice so that everyone can bring their best listening to the table?

8. no questions at the moment.

9. Process

10. what we the top 3 goal for any empathy circle?

11. where to do it

12. N/a

13. how can I practice them

14. Will I be able to respond to problems that may arise appropriately and with empathy?

15. Do I need to suscribe to Zoom professional

16. none at this time

17. nothing right this moment i understand the process.

18. n/a

19. What exactly happens in our mind (or with our brain) during an empathy circle? Why do we all feel a complete and true connection with others?

20. Finding, creating additional opportunities to share the practice.

21. Learning how to walk the line between correcting people who are not reflecting fully (possibly by adding assumptions, their own spin) and not hurting their feelings

22. 
    

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.) 

1. 1. Maintaining some control over time limits can be challenging when some people are speakers.

   2. I'm afraid that I will not have enough experience and that I will make mistakes. Facilitating seems like a role that carries a lot of responsibility and I do not want to cause any harm to anyone by saying the wrong thing.

   3. Nothing at this time

   4. I imagine it would be difficult to facilitate with people who come into the circle very heated about a topic. I am just curious about the best ways to stay within the process while addressing anger or any other extremely emotional or contentious topic

   5. when a speaker isn't being authentic but is using the opportunity to manipulate or be passive aggressive with another participant/ listener.

   6. Saturday was my first time ever participating or being informed about empathy circles so I would say my challenge was understanding the benefits of the empathy circle in the beginning of the session.

   7. reflect vs repeat - standards, expectations and accountability. for example: the listener is reflecting but not repeating well and the speaker really feels a particular word is important. the accountability lies with the speaker to say it, the expectation is the listener will hear that and the standard is - if you want it, say it again.

   8. Someone giving advice and reacting when it's not their turn

   9. How do you close an empathy circle with shares that are vulnerable and emotional for some?

   10. someone who won't stop talking even though time is up

   11. I often addressed my responses as the active listener to the group (habits from classroom management) instead of only the active speaker. I was gently and clearly guided to address only the speaker. The "trainee" did an excellent job guiding me in this modification. Also, I don't hear well, and the trainee asked those with soft voices or accents to please speak clearly, and to put their microphones near their mouth. It was a very big help to me.

   12. N/a

   13. how to integrate my other group facilitation process tools that i have learned in Art of Hosting, community organizing, restorative justice, etc...

   14. none

   15. my hardest challenge is taking alot of info in and being able to tell all back. i am forgetful!

   16. When there are tensions/conflicts between the participants?

   17. Technical challenges of members having connection issues.

   18. As i said above, just trying to facilitate learning for those who might be adding their own assumptions and judgements to reflections without hurting their feelings. encouraging supportive and constructive learning in a safe space, while not being too polite.

Write a question you think we could add to this post-session survey? 

1. n/a

2. N/a

3. Nothing comes to mind.

4. I think you covered it all!

5. Overall Score

6. nothing to add

7. How would your approach to facilitating an empathy circle change (or not change) depending on the group you are working with? (i.e. family, friends, youth, professional colleagues). In other words, would you adjust the introduction to the circle and your role in the process as a facilitator depending on who is a part of the circle (i.e. your boss vs your best friend)?

8. Did you do the prep before this session, or was the session prep / homework clear?

9. na

10. how do you feel after the session

11. NA

12. What is one thing that surprised you or inspired you in the empathy circle you were in?

13. no question at this time.

14. none

15. What ways do you feel the empathy circle can help you with personal growth??

16. How do you feel after an Empathy Circle? (a short brief statement in 1-2 lines)

17. Nothing at this time.

18. how are you feeling right now?