Whole Person Approach to Facilitation:
Inspiring Conscious Productive Meetings

By Anne Merkel, Ph.D, Senior Associate, The Ariela Group.

There are several Whole Person facilitation processes that are used by Ariela Group associates. The Resonating Core Concept utilizes Whole Person processes in each of its meetings. The Genuine Contact™ programs include Whole Person Process Facilitation. The Aligned Management™ Series includes several Whole Person processes, which it introduces and then goes on to teach so that workshop participants can take the techniques back to their organizations.

The focus in all Whole Person processes is to support participants to fully open their minds to go beyond left brain analysis and right brain creativity into the realms of intuitive wisdom. With the involvement of the WHOLE person, consciousness is achieved, creativity is applied, passion and truth are claimed, and more gets done in an authentic way than in traditional meetings.

Each Whole Person process itself includes many innovative tools. It universally consists of a facilitation style or process that allows the inner “Self” to create, solve problems, discuss issues, make decisions without the mind getting in the way. When the participants “go with the flow”, the results are transformational for both the individuals and the organization.

BENEFITS OF WHOLE PERSON PROCESSES:

Although applications vary between organizations and industries, the following major benefits of Whole Person processes are universal:

• Each process is customized for the audience, business situation, meeting theme
• Utilizes a whole brain/ whole person approach to complex issues, change, conflict, problem-solving, decision-making, project planning, team-building
• Accesses the collective wisdom and experience of key people chosen to participate fully
• Allows for TRUTH to be shared for positive results
• Results in higher productivity based on whole brain participation, focused participants, consciousness within the process, commitment
• Opens up new communication channels within the organization and creates new joint ventures, promoting more innovation
• Endorses balanced ownership through whole brain participation and intuitive co-creation resulting in the best sustainable implementation
• Provides an opportunity for leadership to harness the energy, whole brain creativity, motivation and commitment of key members of the organization, gaining the ultimate in a competitive edge

Whole Person processes are proven management tools, used to make things happen by involving key members of an organization and facilitating them to participate in a WHOLE way. A productive, sustainable cycle is created when whole brain participation leads to commitment and ownership, enabling a positive change in behavior and follow-through on action plans.

For more information on Whole Person processes offered and taught through The Ariela Group, or to schedule a meeting to discuss customizing a program for your organization, please contact us at merakel@arielagroup.com