It can be lonely at the top. With the needs of others to care for, it can be difficult to find a circle to honestly air the thoughts and feelings holding you back. So we spoke to Mo Fathelbab, founder of the International Facilitators Organization who has plenty to share about embedding meaning and safety in leadership development by providing safe spaces for peers to connect.
Why vulnerability matters
Whether you’re an executive of a large organisation or overseeing a small team, the role of leadership can be challenging. As the person at the centre of a group of people, you’re responsible for their development and wellbeing as well as the needs of the company. Of course the problem is, this all hinges on you taking care of your own.
From a place of security and authenticity, we’re able to grow and by being courageous in our vulnerability, we help others to do the same. We share our struggles and solutions so that others know they’re not alone, they have hope and they’re able to see a way forward, knowing someone has their back.
But how easy is it to be both a leader and vulnerable? Is it too much to ask?
This is where Mo’s Forum model comes in.
Safety in structure
Peer group programs aren’t new but there is something about Mo’s approach that is unique.
‘We ask the question who will benefit from the group’s wisdom today?’ he says. Sharing is based on relating personal experience rather than giving advice and everyone has a seat at the table.
He tells a moving story about when one of his circle lost their mother and a few of them travelled to be with him at the funeral. ‘So here’s my forum brother, who has been with his own family for three days and has not felt safe to cry until he was in my arms.’ he says.
That’s the real-life power of Forum but what powers does it have beyond the personal?
Facilitating the facilitators
Mo has ambitious plans to expand his already wide organisation. ‘We want a billion people in peer groups by 2053.’ he says, ‘so we’re just looking for 33,000 facilitators, 33,333 to be exact.’
That means training them. What are they looking for in a facilitator?
First, the ability to be able to drive a vulnerable conversation. Second is ‘an ability to be self-aware including of how much you’re talking and is everyone else getting a chance – are we hearing all the voices?’ he says. Third is a firm belief in the core values of not giving advice and not being judgemental.
“We don’t force anyone to do anything, our facilitators cannot go around giving advice because it’s not good for safety and vulnerability.’ he states.
In addition, Mo talks about how seeing people as human rather than labels opens space for curiosity and mindfulness so we’re able to build bridges. Think of the opportunities we could create.
Naturally powering business
With clients like Google and Harvard Business School on the IFO’s books, it’s clearly a model that has business benefits.
‘If I have friends at work, if I have confidence at work, if I have people that I trust at work, it makes my work more fulfilling, more energising.’ he says. ‘And we’ve seen research that says if people have four friends at work, the profitability of the company goes up.’
However, it’s not just about productivity, engagement and a sense of community.
What if it became a new way of delivering leadership development training, for example? Where peers are encouraged to learn and grow together, ‘rather than being given a whole bunch of content that may or may not be relevant and it goes in one ear and out the other.’ Mo suggests.
Continuous learning becomes meaningful, embedded and culturally significant.
There is so much more to share
The conversation is full of stop-and-rewind moments as Mo recounts what has brought him to this point – and what drives him forward with such ambitious plans. It’s a very personal story rooted in his own struggles and his bravery in overcoming them.
What we love is the sheer level of human benefit an organisation like Mo’s provides. It’s an amazing example of purpose-driven prosperity – and a window into how the leadership training of tomorrow will be delivered.
The episode is full of guidance on how to build trust, connection and a safe space to share – but also rock solid reassurance that these things can be the cornerstone of business success.
It’s a great episode to start the year with. Bursting with energy and compassion, there are plenty of take-aways for you to start using in your business today. Check it out here.