Comments on: How to Handle Visual Skeptics

By: John Lesko, CFP

John Lesko, CFP — Mon, 28 May 2012 20:15:21 +0000

This “how to handle visual skeptics” is spot on. You’ve pointed us to the emerging academic research, you’ve stressed how important it is to be grounded in traditional process-based facilitation, and have stressed how important it is to stress that such organizational learning is experiential. What I find encouraging is that we now see training tracks at conferences such as the International Association of Facilitators and extended seminars offered in regional groups such as the Mid-Atlantic Facilitators Network.

By: Christina Merkley

Christina Merkley — Mon, 28 May 2012 18:28:23 +0000

Hi Dana. Thanks for the comment. While you know that I don’t like to focus on the negative … I have been writing in my last several articles about this very phenonmenon. Some artistic folks who aren’t process sauve are getting into the game and confusing/cluttering the marketplace. And, unfortunately, some of what I (and you) would define as Graphic or Visual Recorders … are erroneously naming themselves Graphic or Visual Facilitators. I try the best I can in my articles and workshops to educate up and comers about the correct nomenclature. I’d direct people who are interested to my earlier articles entitled ‘The Four Ways of Working Visually’, ‘How to Hire a Visual Practitioner’ and ‘How to Build a Visual Practitioner Career or Hobby’. The good news is that the field is growing. The challenging news (for folks like the two of us who have been in this work for decades) is that there is a lot of misinformation and lack of understanding. Most of it is not malicious, its just lack of knowledge and experience. I’m sure it’ll ‘work out in the wash’ so to speak in the next chapter of this field. I’m sure doing my best to assist with the awareness, as I know you are too. Thanks for commenting!

By: Dana Wright

Dana Wright — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:13:00 +0000

Christina,
I am interested in your assessment of the new string of “artists” who are now calling themselves graphic facilitators. You have a similar view as I do, which is CAUTION! They are not process-savvy and are confusing the market with pretty pictures and no content. I would be interested in other’s views…
Dana