Facilitation Skills

Objectives
Define and understand the role of the facilitator. Explain the facilitation process. Understand the way in which people interact in groups. Acquire the skills to focus and guide discussions. Describe the degrees of control the facilitator can apply and when to apply them. Create the right environment to aid success.

Course Content
Defining Facilitation:
the purpose
the process
the reasons for facilitation
the role of the facilitator
facilitation toolkit
what happens without an effective facilitator?

Levels of Control:
the case for tight control by the facilitator
the case for allowing the group to freewheel
ground rules.

Achieving Results:
establishing and clarifying the group purpose
mutual agreement on the process
planning process
problem solving process and techniques
idea generation
keeping on track.

Observing, Listening and Recording:
watching
active listening
taking notes
the importance of accurate and objective observation
developing sensitivity.

Giving Feedback:
reflecting your observations
suspending judgment
facts and opinion
giving constructive and positive feedback
expressing opinions and value judgments sensitively.

Encouraging Participation:
the use of questions to bring out discussion and involvement
key questions which always work
handling questions
building a climate for open communication
ice breakers.

Problem Solving:
agreeing the problem solving process
problem definition
cause and effect diagrams
brainstorming
decision making processes
building consensus
force field analysis.

Interventions:
when to intervene
when to 'let it ride'
non-verbal communication
how to intervene - using observations
team dynamics and behaviour
stages of team development.

Managing Conflict in the Group:
healthy confrontation
constructive criticism
personality clashes
avoiding and handling destructive situations
managing difficult behaviours.

Clarifying Outcomes:
gaining commitment
recording and agreeing results
summarising and deciding what comes next
agreeing the way forward.

Action Plan:
participants plan and discuss what they will do on return to work.