Whole Person Process Facilitation

I took my Whole Person Process Facilitation training in 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. The first day began with a group of people sitting in a circle without any clear structure; my first Transfer In with objects from nature and the question… “What does this object tell you about…?” and in my head: ‘What kind of question is this?’

Ever since that day, I knew I’d always facilitate using WPPF as the container, and so it is 16 years later.

There are some comments from people that usually pop up in the end:  1) they are amazed at how fast time passed, 2) they love being able to share with others, expressing how nice it is to finally ‘know’ someone they have been in contact with for months or years, and 3) how easy everything seems to flow.

In my previous organization, I led multiple projects, most of which spanned a year. For each project, I would formally meet with my team to guide them through the project’s concept and goals. On one occasion, I was tasked with leading a small team of four members, and it was our very first meeting together. Having recently learned about the Whole Person Process Facilitation methodology, I decided to apply it during this initial meeting.

The results were remarkable. We quickly built a strong understanding of each other’s strengths and perspectives, aligning seamlessly with the project’s objectives. The bond we established during that first meeting remained strong throughout the project, leading to exceptional teamwork and, ultimately, outstanding results.

Since I learnt Whole Person Process Facilitation about 25 years ago, I have used it in all the organizations where I have had a leadership role. In the last 6-7 years I have led broadband organizations, local and national, where we have built fiber cable networks in rural areas. These organizations are cooperatives, and much work is done voluntarily. I have been the chairwoman and used WPPF for all our board meetings and team meetings. It has helped me build a positive culture where everyone has witnessed how they felt heard and seen, and how they could use their full wisdom and learn more. For the last 4 years in the national broadband alliance, the board have said that they feel we can cover all important topics and still have time for reflection, thinking and writing notes in a way where everyone can contribute. My experience from using WPPF for so many years is that as a leader, you will always have a team around you. It is extremely helpful to feel this support when you face the outer world.

I was so lucky to be called into the newly formed core team that was tasked with establishing a company-wide Inclusion Dialogue. I was excited about this opportunity, but also equally nervous, given the sensitivity of the topic. All our meetings were WPPF meetings and I quickly started to call them my “candy meetings” because every single time we met, I would learn, I would feel fulfilled and proud of the progress we made collectively and I would connect deeply with colleagues from all parts of the company, many of whom I didn’t know before. 3 years and a company restructuring later, the core team still operates effectively. Thanks to the deep trust, commitment and engagement we’ve built in the WPPF container, we constantly adapt to change without losing sight of our purpose.

After offering an in-house WPPF training a year ago, the company let me know they are running with it! It is a unit within a municipality similar to a department of education. The unit’s main task is to support pupils who need help with language/newly arrived immigrants. They use WPPF in all their internal meetings and also with their pupils – the circle and using an input object have become the norm!

The head of the unit compared the dynamics in their meetings to playing in a well-functioning band – high energy, freedom of expression and love. She said it was one of the top achievements she has had throughout her working career.

WPPF rocks!