Tag Archives: leadership

Focused Conversation On Current Events with One or a Few Others (Or with Self)

Posted on February 25, 2026 by jofacilitator

This conversation was catalyzed by a conversation with a couple of other ToP facilitators in this month’s ToP Community of Practice meeting about how in current times it is challenging to have conversations about anything because people cannot agree on … Continue reading →

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My Working Assumptions as a Facilitator

Posted on February 5, 2026 by jofacilitator

I have recently read reflections by several facilitators on group norms, facilitator neutrality, and “facilitation as manipulation”. I think that this is an important topic, especially in these times. Thirty-two years ago a group of people (I was a part … Continue reading →

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One Story of Integrity as a Facilitator

Posted on October 29, 2025 by jofacilitator

The memory of this story was catalyzed by a LinkedIn Post by a colleague who talked about her experience of the power of personal integrity as a facilitator in choosing work. Many years ago, after a successful facilitation with a … Continue reading →

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History of Developing the ToP Action Planning Process for Strategic Planning

Posted on October 7, 2025 by jofacilitator

In 1988, non-profit organizations were required to have a strategic plan in order to get their funding from the province for the next year.  Wayne and I facilitated ToP strategic planning for each of 12 regional non-profit organizations that were … Continue reading →

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Listening to Polarized Viewpoints and Creating Consensus

Posted on October 4, 2025 by jofacilitator

Currently we are more and more aware of social issues facing our society – such as addictions as in alcohol, gambling, and illegal drug use; as well as unemployment and job loss, housing, etc.  Many social issues trigger emotional responses … Continue reading →

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Another Story about the Organization Journey Map

Posted on September 27, 2025 by jofacilitator

Another Story of the Use of the Organizational Journey Map:  (see the original post for the map) The chief of a police force in a small city was eager to get participation of all officers in decision-making.  He had scheduled … Continue reading →

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Using the Organizational Journey Map

Posted on September 23, 2025 by jofacilitator

This Map is copyrighted: Copyright Canadian Institute of Cultural Affairs, 1998 Usually the best way to use the Organizational Journey Map is to work with a group in the same room that represents all the levels of the organization, or … Continue reading →

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