Cynthia Umurungi is a storyteller who gives a human voice to African organisations and businesses.Her voice is one I have wanted to share on this podcast for a long time - and not only because I have underrepresented voices of African heritage so far on this podcast. Cynthia’s work delicately combines storytelling and creativity with deep empathy and insights.In this episode, we explore the challenges of facilitating in a culture that isn’t your own, how team dynamics change across cultures, and how Western ideas of facilitation can falter in a non-Western workshop.Broaden your horizons with this incredibly insightful, energetic episode! Find out about:Why cultural undercurrents in the room will determine your workshop’s effectivenessHow to interpret shades of silence and find the thin line between thoughtful and tenseHow language and translation affect our sense of safetyThe need for openness and ‘no foolish questions’ when speaking in a second languageWhy clear language and expectations reduce your risk of unpleasant surprisesHow to use a ‘story wall’ to encourage creativity, sharing, and ice-breaking   Don’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Questions and AnswersPart one[01:50] When did you start calling yourself a facilitator - do you?[03:21] What have you learned about managing group dynamics from working in radio?[04:58] What is your process for creating a safe environment in a radio interview and is it similar to how you work as a facilitator?[09:16] Does the idea of 'active listening' come through differently on the African continent?[12:01] Do you address cultural nuances and expectations directly with a group or do you let it emerge naturally?[15:28] Can we even accurately translate the word 'vulnerability' into different languages?[22:08] Are there role models you can point to across cultures who aren't Western?[28:54] How do you deal with power imbalances and flatten the room?[35:49] My experiences in Namibia, Burkina Faso, and South Africa showed me that dancing is a more natural cultural expression than in, say, the Netherlands. Can you use these cultural insights to flatten the room?Connect to Cynthia:On LinkedInOn TwitterShare your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

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