In a world filled with political tension and societal divides, the skill of facilitating difficult conversations is becoming increasingly crucial, particularly when addressing complex issues like racial equity. To delve into this critical topic, nINA's CHOIR (Co-Creating Healthy Organizations & Inclusive Relationships) recently hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion on May 8 titled "Facilitating Difficult Conversations in Turbulent Times." Led by nINA Director, Alia Stevenson, the panel featured insights from nINA Director, Colleen Butler, nINA Affiliate Mathias Lemos Castillo and nINA Partner Peggy Halloran from WayForward Resources, who shared valuable perspectives and experiences on the role of facilitation in advancing racial equity and justice.

Facilitator Origin Stories 

All of the panelists had different entry points into becoming trained facilitators and they each use their facilitation skills in different ways. As you might imagine, the nINA panelists use their facilitation skills in a plethora of ways, but community engagement and facilitating conversations and co-learnings centered around racial justice are some of the most common applications. However, for Peggy, as a Donor Relations Officer at a nonprofit, facilitation training has supported her in navigating challenging conversations in general, and specifically in centering the voices of the people served when crafting communications and working with donors. Regarding the nINA Facilitator training she participated in, Peggy shared,

“I thought it was really intriguing and a really good opportunity for me to learn more around this and really think about the conversations I was having and how I introduce topics to people, and how I listen.” 

Practical Insights for Effective Facilitation

Throughout the conversation, the panelists emphasized practical facilitation skills applicable in everyday interactions. They stressed the significance of creating a supportive environment where all voices are heard, active listening, and remaining open to diverse perspectives, especially in navigating power dynamics. Each shared pivotal moments that shaped their facilitation practices, underscoring the importance of grounding conversations in shared values and prioritizing empathy and self-care to foster meaningful dialogue. Some of the strategies discussed included:

• Create Supportive Environments

• Active Listening

• Balance Openness and Firmness

• Ground Conversations in Shared Values

• Ask Open-Ended Questions

• Embrace Vulnerability and Humility

• Prioritize Empathy and Self-Care

• Model Adaptability and Growth

• Use Storytelling to Foster Connection

• Take Breaks When Needed

• Stay True to the Truth

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities in 2024

As 2024 approaches—a year marked by significant elections and policy decisions—the panelists discussed essential focus areas for racial justice facilitators. They advocated for clear, authentic communication about inequities and staying true to shared values amid divisive rhetoric. The insights shared underscored the importance of persistence, engagement, and modeling vulnerability and adaptability to create space for growth and understanding.

“...The most important answer is to stay true to the truth and to our values... and not backing down this year. You’ve got to keep showing up for it even if you’re going to get sued, you know? To me this work isn’t so much about how to be a facilitator in this moment; more so how to be a racial justice advocate, champion, ally. We can’t just go away because it’s not popular anymore or because there is risk… continue to show up but continue to show up in ways that are aligned with all the strategies we’ve shared to engage and try to understand and remind people of their shared values to stay present in the work.” Colleen Butler, nINA Director

Embracing the Journey Towards a Just Society

The May 8 CHOIR panel offered valuable insights into the art of facilitating challenging conversations during turbulent times. By centering impacted voices and fostering inclusive dialogues, nINA exemplifies the dedication needed for deep systems change. Through collective learning, humility, and a commitment to truth and humanity, we can co-create a society where empathy, understanding, and justice prevail.

In a world where difficult conversations often lead to division, nINA's panelists demonstrated that with courage, tenacity, and effective facilitation, we can bridge divides and pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future. 

As a first step, join us next month for nINA’s first Community of Practice Book Club! Also, if you are interested in deepening your practice of facilitating challenging conversations, consider joining our Fall Facilitator Cohort. You can learn more here.  Let's embrace this journey together, one conversation at a time.