How to ramp up facilitation skills?

Hi,

this question has probably asked already a couple of times. Started as a Software Engineer about 20 years ago, I became a Requirements Engineer about 12 years and then Product Owner and Project Manager or a combination of both.

Now it's time for me to get out of the project rat race with all the controlling and processes and help people to improve their daily work by other means. In this role I was involved in a couple of workshops.

The last time I've felt so much energy and intrinsic motivation in context of work, was at the beginning of my Product Owner career. Reading facilitation books in bed just before sleep tells me a lot. 😃

So, my plan is to learn more about facilitation in theory (books, podcasts, blogs, communities) but also in practice.

My getting practice plan:

I've just started a first training, which my company was willing to pay.

I will look for facilitation opportunities in my company, so that it recognizes the value of this role beyond paying the training.

I will reach out to my private environment and offer my support (e.g. I have contact to a Christian Community, which sometimes does workshops).

I've startet to revitalise the Liberating Structures User Group in Hannover (Germany) to get practice.

I will try to get in touch with people, who have facilitation experiences and maybe there are options to attend as observer, hospitalize or even co-facilitate (in presence or remote).

What do you think about the above ideas?

What is your recommendation?

What is the best starting point based on your experiences?

Regards

Stephan

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