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A “facilitator” is someone who acts as a 'lubricant' by helping a team with issues such as communications or problem solving but, typically, does not contribute to the actual content or management of a team's project (which is a team leader's function). Effective facilitation can help your organization maximize its resources by getting the most from the people who work with you. While there are a number of seminars, trainings and workshops to learn how to effectively facilitate or become certified as a facilitator, if you do not have the resources to hire a facilitator or become one, here are some tips to help get you started. Following are some tips for effective facilitation.
Steps Download Article
1Establish a comfortable learning environment. X Research source
2Establish ground rules to encourage positive group interaction. Start with a few of your own and ask the group to for any others they would like to include. Some examples of ground rules: X Research source
- Confidentiality. What is said in this room, stays in this room
- Speak from your experience. Use “I” instead of “you” or “we”
- There are no right or wrong answers. Our responses are based on our unique experience
- Practice respect for myself and others
- Listen actively. Respect others when they are talking.
3Keep the focus of the conversation on the situation or issue.
7Control distractions, including distracting participants.
- As a facilitator, your talk time should be less than 40%
- Ask open-ended questions
- Be comfortable with silence – it may be a time of thought. Wait a full 10 seconds after asking a question.
- Address people by name.
- Use your personal experience as an example when appropriate.
- Speak clearly, at a moderate pace and an appropriate volume.
- Be clear.
- Transition smoothly from one activity or discussion to another.
- Use visual aids to enhance and reinforce.
- Ask for questions in an open manner – “What questions do you have?”
- Be prepared. Have an outline or a curriculum. Know what you want to achieve and be able to clearly articulate the desired outcome. Practice what you want to say, how you will say it.
- Enjoy the experience! If you are confident and have a good time, others will too!
- Use simple, straightforward words and sentences.
- Stay relaxed and un-defensive.
- Manage over-participation.
- Handle aggressive behavior.
- Avoid asking closed-ended questions.
- Allow the other person to “save face”. Acknowledge the value of the person’s concerns.
- Acknowledge that you hear and understand by paraphrasing.
- Refer to the ground rules.
- To get the group back on topic, ask participants to link the conversation to the issue you are discussing.
Things You'll Need
- Markers and flip charts/white board
- Outline or curriculum
- Visual aids
- Pens and paper for participants