Dick Price’s Four Guidelines for Facilitation

I’ve been in the presence of world-class facilitation this week at the Esalen Institute. The details of the course don’t matter right now, but some of the general wisdom in the teaching of the course does.

When watching a master at work, you’ll notice dramatic ease and simplicity.

In this case, I’m learning from a masterful teacher with an unbelievable lineage and forty years under his belt. One of the most profound notes I took during my class was Dick Price’s (co-founder of Esalen Institute) “Facilitation Guidelines”. These guidelines can likely be utilized for any leadership, facilitation, or coaching role:

  • Trust the process.
  • Support the process.
  • Get out of the way. 
  • If in doubt, do less.

The fourth guideline was an amendment added later and it’s my favorite. If one of the definitions of mastery is elegance, we won’t get there by doing too much. 

What are ways you can embody the four guidelines above in your leadership of others?

6/17/22 WOD

DEUCE ATHLETICS GPP

Complete 4 rounds for quality of:

3 Pin Press
8 Partner GHRs

Then, EMOM 15

Min 1: 8-10 Neutral Grip Pull Ups
Min 2: 12 DB Snatches (50/35)
Min 3: 8-10 AB Rollouts

DEUCE GARAGE GPP

Make 4 attempts at the following complex for load:

1 Hang Squat Clean + 1 Squat Clean

Complete 3 rounds for quality of:

10 Staggered Stance RDLs (ea)
14 Alternating V-Ups

Then, complete 2 rounds for time: 

5 Hang Power Snatches (155/105)
5 Power Snatches
5 OH Squats
75 Double Unders
5 Hang Power Cleans
5 Front Squats
5 Shoulder-to-OH