“Fire” has both destructive and creative potential – as does a group that is experiencing intense fear, aggression or confusion. This workshop will examine the nature of “high-heat meetings” and seek answers to these questions: What hooks me into ineffective responses? How can my thoughts, emotions and body be assets to me and the group? What ongoing practices will help me cultivate my capacity to stay centered and effective when facilitating high-stakes, high-emotion conversations? Using traditional archetypes and a series of thought and movement exercises, we will explore some essential mental, emotional and physical stances that facilitators can draw upon when standing in the fire.

Kriss Witmann is a human highlighter, listening and capturing key concepts and findings in colorful pictures, cartoons and icons. The process is called graphic recording—and she’s been doing it for business, government, and non-profit clients for over five years in diverse settings ranging from retreats, strategic planning and training sessions and research and brainstorming meetings.