Mind Mapping for Facilitation

Jerry Mings, a professional facilitator and group process consultant based in Ontario, Canada, shares how mind mapping supports his facilitation practice. With a background spanning health, social care, technology, and non-profits, Jerry explains his journey from traditional flipcharts to creating digital “facilitator workbenches” in MindManager. He demonstrates how maps integrate client details, contracting, competencies, and ethics into a single workspace that enhances preparation, engagement, and reflection in facilitation. Key Themes & Topics (Timestamped) [2:17] Career background – Ontario-based consultant with experience in healthcare, technology, and social sectors; ASQ quality auditor and professional facilitator. [5:14] Shift from flipcharts to mapping – Early days of late-night retyping gave way to faster documentation with MindManager in the 2000s. [6:54] Single workspace concept – Introduces the “facilitator workbench” map, combining client files, resources, and engagement notes. [7:55] Front of stage vs back of stage – Differentiates between client-facing details (contracts, engagement) and facilitator resources (reference files, sector knowledge). [11:11] IAF competencies – Embeds International Association of Facilitators’ competencies into daily practice maps, ensuring alignment with global standards. [12:06] Code of ethics – Uses ethics map for confidentiality, group autonomy, and neutrality to manage difficult conversations and maintain trust. [14:40] Practical case use – Demonstrates how workbench maps capture client details, emails, annual reports, and operational plans for real projects. [19:35] Design Eye framework – Applies Technology of Participation methodology for listening, discerning focus, design, and contracting in projects. [23:57] Strategic planning examples – Shows mapping of group struggles, operating images, and contradictions to support planning discussions. [28:32] Managing objectivity – Explains how advance preparation clarifies facilitator neutrality and avoids ethical dilemmas in client work. [30:20] Facilitation engagement tools – Tests SessionLab to design agendas collaboratively while keeping control of process steps. [36:15] Vision workshop mapping – Demonstrates use of mind maps to capture themes in group visioning sessions, ensuring transparency and inclusivity. Featuring: MindManager