When we show up, we influence the system…

Stephen Downes wrote something today about educators and journalists that I think we should consider for facilitators and process folks.

…we need to get past the idea that an educator is a person who teachers courses, just as we need to get past the idea that a journalist is someone who dispassionately observes. 

I have long pushed back on an over idealized value in facilitation of “neutrality.” A facilitator is not just someone who designs and facilitates a process. We are part of and influence the field of interaction.

My take on that is that we have to be aware of our influence and impact when we show up. That doesn’t mean we push our agenda on others, but by the mere fact of being present in group process, we change it and we are changed by it. Just like educators and journalists.