What’s Next for My 2020

Half of 2020 has come and gone. And there are many questions floating in my head as to what were my goals, objectives and milestones for 2020, which I had happily set at the end of 2019. So much has taken place to date in 2020 alone, that it’s mind boggling that I’ve made it this far!

Maybe you are feeling the same way too.

Your company, department or team had set some targets and objectives to meet organizational goals. As July 2020 came into view, you asked yourself as well as your team members, what just happened? How did we make it this far and more importantly, how are we going to make it to the end of the year??

What has remained the same? What has changed? And what needs to change for me to take hold of my demons and create spectacular results and achievements for 2020 as a whole?

 As a trained facilitator, one of my strongest skills (which I refine daily) is the art of asking questions. When I am in one-on-one coaching conversations or with a group, my task is to ask questions which will support them in finding answers to their challenges. It is highly rewarding when they discover that the answers they seek are all from within themselves.

 Here are a few questions that I have found effective at kick starting this process. These would help with developing learning strategies to support us for the next six months of 2020.

 The questions are divided into 4 sections - Objective, Reflective, Interpretive and Decisional Questions*

*Source: Stanfield, R Brian, ‘The Art of Focused Conversation 100 ways to access group wisdom in the workplace’ (July 2015) 

 Objective Questions:

1.      What have been some of the key events for you over the past six months?

2.      What other events do you remember – important conversations or discussions or decisions made?

 Reflective Questions:

1.      Describe the dynamics of the last six months – what was it like for you?

2.      What events made a big difference to you – changed how you thought, felt and acted?

3.      What was the biggest surprise for you?

 Interpretive Questions:

1.      What did you learn from things that went well?

2.      What did you learn from times where you struggled?

3.      As you reflect on these questions, how would you talk about what you had accomplished in the last six months?

 Decisional Questions:

1.      How will your experience and learnings affect what you do for the rest of the year?

2.      What are you going to do differently?

3.      What new skills have you picked up or will pick up, that can support you to do things differently over the next six months?

 These questions are great at stimulating conversations for your half year review.

 I also highly recommend that you take some time to sit down with your team and/or family and have these deep, meaningful conversations with each other.

 If there is one thing this pandemic has reminded mankind, it is to make every moment count with people you value, especially those closest to you. So I urge you, courageously explore these questions and conversations.

And should you like to share after, I’d be most honored to listen.

 Daniel Gonzaga

Malaysian Facilitators Association (MAFa) Council Member

International Association of Facilitators (AF) Member