The most senior person in attendance definitely should not run a work session. As a matter of fact, if there is more than one person in the room who knows how to facilitate, the task should go to the most junior. This frees up the greatest number of senior personnel to contribute to content.
If there is any doubt in your mind about the logic of this practice, consider the fact that it’s easier to acquire the skills needed to run a productive workflow session than it is to accumulate the knowledge, experience and wisdom brought to a session by the CEO or other senior managers.
When the most senior executive in the room runs a meeting, an array of counterproductive interpersonal dynamics is triggered that impedes optimum collaboration. A facilitator creates a level playing field, where input from everyone is encouraged and given the same consideration. Thus, a normally domineering boss is neutralized and prevented from unintentionally intimidating lesser souls so that they don’t contribute
