Dynamic Facilitation

Inspired by Tom Atlee it may be worth mentioning that an excellent method for influencing the timing and rhytm of a community, may be the use of so-called dynamic facilitation.

It's a process first described by Tom's colleague Jim Rough, and is a co-creativity process that goes beyond the thought-creation process of for example brainstorming. Some background about this method can be found on Tom's website;; some thruths about the role of the facilitator of this process can be found in the community of practice space as well.

Not so much a leader of the creativity process, the facilitator must create a safe space for the group where reflective and even conflictive thoughts may be heard. Listening therefore, is one of the most important features of the facilitator as you must understand to 'hear people'.

Rather different from most communities is the release of social energy in the collective evolution of the discussion, by introducing human emotions such as anger, fear and vunerability. If these emotions are well guided by the facilitator, they can increase the group's energy level to a very high level and drive insights and excitement - exactly what is needed to alter or improve the community cycle.