I’ve spent much of the last 25 years on the road, leading workshops and facilitating retreats in 47 U.S. states and across Canada.

Not surprisingly, some of these gigs land during election season. This creates a variety of challenges: distractions, political tension, even the occasional argument among participants.

If you’re the facilitator, trainer, or group leader, how can you manage these situations effectively?

As we slowly emerge from the 2020 elections – and prepare for whatever comes next – I wanted to share two trainer stories from the last two presidential elections.

What do I say now?

On the morning after Election Day 2016, I lay in a hotel bed in Colorado, wondering what to do. I was distraught by the results (now you know a little about my politics), but was also struggling with a more practical problem.

In a few hours, my fundraising workshop would begin. What could I say? I needed to acknowledge what had happened without alienating anyone or distracting from our day’s work. Argh!

Flash forward to the training room: a public event with a wide variety of nonprofits. People wandered in, a little bleary-eyed after a long night. Some looked pleased, others not so much. People greeted each other in tentative whispers. It was weirdly quiet.

Today, your work is more important

As we began the workshop, here’s what I said:

“I don’t need to know how you feel about the election. I don’t need to know how you voted or IF you voted.

“Here’s what I know. Your organization just became more important – because what we need right now is community. Regardless of your mission, that’s what nonprofits do: we build community.”

I paused, scanning the room.

“Today, even more than yesterday or the day before, we need strong, resilient nonprofits to serve as community-builders. If you raise more money, you can build community more effectively. Agreed?”

They all nodded.

“Shall we get started?”

Everyone exhaled; the mood shifted. We jumped into the work.

Clients come in all flavors

Four years earlier, right before the 2012 election, I spent the weekend leading a training for the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust. They work with ranchers, farmers, and other community members to conserve land for agriculture and wildlife habitat.

The board chair was married to the state’s only Congressperson. Three other board members had served, at different times, as Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives. In this very Republican state, they WERE the power structure.

I enjoyed the group a lot. They were thoughtful, thorough, committed, and had an easy rapport. They embraced the workshop material while challenging my suggestions in productive ways. We even teased each other a little about the upcoming election.

As we wrapped up, I said to the group, “Come Wednesday, somebody in this room will wake up with a president they didn’t vote for. Given that fact, I want to offer you a deal.”

They all sat up a little straighter.

Won’t you be my neighbor?

“When my liberal Vermont friends start complaining about conservatives and Republicans, here’s what I pledge to say: I just returned from Wyoming, where I worked with a bunch of ranchers.

“Yes, they are deeply conservative – but they care about the land, they’re trying to be good stewards, they invest their time and money in their communities. They’re good people, and I would be delighted to have them as my neighbors.”

Everybody smiled.

“In response,” I continued, “when your colleagues begin complaining about evil liberals, here’s what I want you to say: I just met this man from Vermont. He’s definitely liberal – he might be a socialist – but he runs his own business, he works hard, and he’s a thoughtful, helpful guy. I would be pleased to have him as a neighbor.

“I will do this for you,” I said. “Will you do this for me?”

They looked at me quietly, a little stunned. Several nodded their heads.

Every time I share this story, I honor my end of the bargain. I trust they are doing the same – especially right now.

You don’t have to be neutral

As Annie Winkler noted in a recent guest post, facilitator objectivity is a myth. You may aspire to show up neutral, but you still carry your biases, identities, and history.

As an alternative, here’s a humble suggestion: embrace your politics and your point of view. Bring your authentic self into the room.

Then seek opportunities to use your authenticity to build community.