Findings: The Wizard asked for a long and thin wire. "He took first idol and inserted copper wire into its ear. The copper wire came out of idol's mouth. "He picked up second idol and inserted copper wire into its ear. The copper wire came out of other ear. "Finally, The Wizard took third idol in his hands. He inserted copper wire into its ear. The copper wire went right into stomach of idol. Inference: Pointing to third idol, Wizard said to sculptor, "This is best of three idols."

Reason: The sculptor said, "Please give a reason for your choice?"

The case study ends here. You can pause here and ask why Wizard chose third idol.

Rationale: The Wizard then gave his explanation, "Let us assume that each idol signifies a minister of a king and that copper wire symbolizes a secret of kingdom. In case of first idol, copper wire inserted into ear came out of mouth. Such a minister will hear a secret and divulge."

"The copper wire inserted into ear of second idol, came out of other ear. Such a minister does not pay attention to any important or secret matter. Whatever he hears with one ear goes out of other ear. He is not a good minister."

"Lastly in case of third idol, copper wire inserted into ear, went right into stomach. This is a minister who hears a secret but never reveals it to anyone. He can keep a secret. He is ideal minister and therefore this idol is best of three.

The sculptor was truly amazed and impressed with The Wizard's explanation.

Debrief moral: "When what is heard is internalised, real listening happens. "True learning happens when it is internalised.

By Ram Lingam.

This article is based on author's many experiences as a learner and trainer.

* "While walking along a beach, a man saw someone in distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it in ocean. As he came closer, he saw thousands of starfish tide had thrown onto beach. Unable to return to water, starfish were dying. He observed this man picking up starfish, one by one, and throwing them back in water.

Now, after watching this seemingly futile effort, observer said, 'There are thousands of starfish on this beach. It would be impossible for you to get to all of them. There are too many of them. You can't possibly save enough to make a difference.' The young man smiled as he continued to pick up another starfish and threw it back into ocean. 'It made a difference to that starfish,' he replied." - Author unknown.

For me, above exercise underscores three important elements of facilitation:

1) Build a consensual container. Defining and agreeing upon which behaviors are "functional" is "analogous to building a container" within which your groups will function. This container is made up largely of groundrules and external environment. If container is comprehensive, relevant, and supported by group, then they can pretty much do anything inside of it without sacrificing meaning they seek. Just as jumbled words in our paragraph still work within their functional boundaries.

2) Define a clear and relevant context for your work. If a group is clear about why they've come together, what they're there to accomplish, and engage in processes designed to get them what they want, then "who," "what," and "how" of group is congruent. They form and reinforce context for their being together and will therefore present fewer barriers to getting what they want.

Again, just as our gibberish words were understandable when woven together into a cohesive paragraph with clear meaning, connecting people with agreed upon objectives and processes to get there will bring meaning and progress to their work.

3) Clarify and agree upon group expectations. When early work in our groups entails exploration of individual and collective expectations, we can chart a much clearer course to realize them. Thus minimizing many tangents, disagreements, and general confusion that often accompanies people working together toward an "uncommon" goal.

Evoking and managing expectations can help people remove blinders, barriers, and judgements, to better focus on work at hand. This makes everyone's work easier and helps us chart a more direct course to our destination.

I hpoe you ejnyeod tihs atrclie!

675 words.

About Author: Steve Davis, M.A., M.S., is an Facilitator's Coach, Infoprenuer, and free-lance human, helping facilitators, organizational leaders, educators, trainers, coaches and consultants present themselves confidently, access their creativity, empower their under-performing groups, enhance their facilitation skills, and build their business online and offline. Subscribe to his free weekly ezine at www.MasterFacilitatorJournal.com.