8 Models Every Facilitator Should Be Able to Draw Live
You’re leading a coaching class for leaders and today’s topic is “Listening.” You want to share the “levels of listening” model you learned in your coaching class, but you don’t just want to use yet another boring slide deck.
Drawing a model in the moment increases engagement and understanding of the content.
Here’s what it looks like…
Want to learn how to draw models live and on the fly? Check out our online COURSE INTRODUCTION TO FACILITATING WITH VISUALS for an entire module on the topic.
What is a model?
A model is a diagram that helps convey a key concept using strategically aligned words and images. Different than a template, a model is a complete graphic that is not meant to have participant comments laid over it.
When do I use a model?
Models are used most at the beginning of a facilitated session, when reviewing ground rules but could be used strategically throughout a meeting to encourage a specific mindset or prompt thinking in a new way.
What models should I use?
Many facilitators have a few favorite models that they use all the time. I recommend collecting models and starting your own “knowledge repository” of your favorites.
Here are eight models I love to “pull out of my hat” and how to draw them.
Levels of Listening
There are many variations of this model, but the one I like the most is the version I learned as part of my training at Co-Active Training Institute.
NEED TO DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE? Check out our tips in 5 Drawing Skills Every Facilitator Needs.
Advocacy Inquiry
Chris Argyris and Don Schön first proposed the Advocacy and Inquiry model to reduce conflict and encourage generative dialogue.
Conflict Styles
There are a couple of commonly used conflict styles models. Most use the Thomas Kilmann model. One that is very similar is the Kraybill model. Same concept with slightly different terms.
NEED HELP DECIDING WHICH CONFLICT STYLE YOU SHOULD CHOOSE? GRAB OUR CONFLICT STYLES DECISION TREE!
Tuckman (Form, Storm, Norm, Perform)
Based on the work of Bruce Tuckman and Ken Blanchard, the Form, Storm, Norm Perform (and adjourn/mourn) flow is widely used to help understand team development stages. Check out our blog on “Meeting Teams Where They Are” for a deeper dive into this Model.
Rollercoaster of Change
First adapted from Ralph G. Hirschowitz by Susan Hassinger, the Rollercoaster of Change helps people see how change impacts feelings and reactions. I’ve even seen this used to show how feelings might change over the course of a few days offsite.
Diverge/Converge
Many thought leaders have their own variation on this model, but one of the most widely known is Sam Kaner’s version from The Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision Making. This models helps group’s understand how groups of people work through decisions and helps facilitators think about how to best organize conversations.
Circle of Control
Common in coaching relationships, the circle of control is simply a circle and a prompt to think about what’s within the circle that we can influence and what’s out of the circle that’s beyond our reach. This one may also be used as a template.
Red Dot Conversations
As featured in the book The Primes, the Red Dot model encourages groups to move beyond the usual and available conversations into the “red dot” space.
Struggling with circles? Check out our tips in 5 Drawing Skills Every Facilitator Needs.
TRY THIS: Build a Models Library (20 MINS)
Create a list of models. If you’re not sure, start with the ones in this blog.
Think of how you like to search and find content. For some, they like to Google information. For others, they prefer a paper medium. What’s your preference? Keep this in mind for now.
Design a system. Do your models fall into specific categories or content areas? Group those together. For example, you might have models for conflict or others for promoting innovative thinking.
Find a format. I like to create a Google Drive folder for each category and drop-in articles, links, and other resources where I can easily search for them. My colleague Brian Tarallo likes to draw each model and store it in a box. Drawing helps you learn the model as well. Maybe you prefer a spreadsheet, PPT document, MURAL board or even a journal. Choose what’s right for you, and if you’re not sure, just start with something - you can always change it later.
Build the repository. Import your models. Start with a few. If you have a lot of resources, you might want to build this a little at a time over several days, weeks or months. After grad school, I went through all of my course materials and scanned in my favorite resources. Maybe you’ve taken a class or program and going through your workbooks will help you begin to build a healthy library.
This article may contain affiliate and/or compensated links. For more information, please read our disclosure here.
If you enjoyed this article, join our email list to never miss a post and receive exclusive timely resources.
This blog is part of a series:
Check out our toolkit for resources on hybrid meetings, visual notetaking and facilitation.
