Facilitation
Definition: Leading a group through a process by facilitating attention and activity over a period of time to reach a specific learning goal or objective.
A simple comparison:
Visionary | Manager | Facilitator |
Concerned with doing the right thing | Concerned with doing things right | Concerned with helping people do things |
Takes the long-term view | Takes the short-term view | Helps people find a view and articulate it |
Concentrate and what and why | Concentrate on how | Helps people concentrate and be clear in the hear and now |
Thinks in terms of innovation, development and the future | Thinks in terms of administration and maintenance | Helps people think and helps them communicate their thoughts |
Sets the vision, the tone and direction | Sets the plan: the pace | Helps people make meaning of tone and direction and to function well at the required pace |
Hopes others will respond and follow | Hopes others will complete their tasks | Hopes others will engage in the process |
Appeals to hopes and dreams | Monitors boundaries and defines limits | Helps people meaning of hopes and dreams; pushes appropriately on boundaries |
Expects others to realize a vision | Expects others to fulfill their purpose or mission | Helps others articulate shared vision, common mission or purpose |
Inspires innovation | Inspires stability | Helps people respond to things that are new and things that remain the same |
Questions
Powerful Questions While answers tend to bring us to closure, questions open up to exploration. Asking the right question is the most effective way of opening up a conversation and keeping it engaging. A high-quality question focuses on what is meaningful for the participants, triggers our curiosity and invites us to explore further. Some guidelines for choosing questions: • A well-crafted question attracts energy and focuses attention on what matters. Experienced hosts recommend asking open-ended questions, not ones that have a simple yes/no answer. • Good questions invite inquiry and curiosity. They do not need to promote action or problem solving immediately. • You'll know a good question when it continues to surface good ideas and possibilities. • Check possible questions with key people who will take part in a conversation. Does it hold their attention and energy?
A powerful question: • Is simple and clear • Is thought provoking • Generates energy • Focuses inquiry • Challenges assumptions • Opens new possibilities • Evokes more questions "If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on it, I would use the first 55 minutes to formulate the right question because as soon as I have identified the right question I can solve the problem in less than five minutes." Albert Einstein
Articles
9 characteristics of a good facilitator.pdf
10 tips for effective facilitation.pdf
Short articles that can help get you up to speed and find some inspiration:
The role of a facilitator: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/RoleofAFacilitator.htm
Top 11 skills of a facilitator: http://www.thedesigngym.com/top-11-skills-effective-facilitator/
Videos
Facilitation can be looked at as an art. It is also something you can do to create meaningful conversations, better known as intentional conversations. Facilitating meetings and workshops is all about having a clear direction and intention behind the topics and areas that come up. Watch the videos below:
Books
Below you will find a tool to use during all of your workshops, the program, and beyond. It`s an e-book with 119 pages, so use the chapters to see which topics might be relevant. Keep the book, use it when in need!
Developing facilitation skills - a handbook.pdf
Facilitation Tool - I DO ART
I = Intention.
Why are we here? What is the purpose?
Do = Desired outcome What will we leave with? What specific outcomes should be achieved by the end?
A = Agenda What activities will we go through, in what order, to move toward the the desired outcome?
R = Rules + Roles What rules and guidelines will be in place during the process? What needs do we have to maintain a culture that strives toward our goals and objectives? Outline what roles and responsibilities exist in within the group.
T = Time What is the expected time for us all to be engaged in the process?
Example:
Facilitation tool - Set it, hold it, land it
ADVICE FOR LEADING A SPACE
➔ Create the space for experimentation and create alignment
➔ Make sure everyone is seen and heard ➔ Create a clear purpose, frames and rules IDOART ➔ Be prepared to step back / and not provide all the answers ➔ Create the opportunities for co-creation and group work ➔ Trust in yourself and the learning strategy & experience you have designed ➔ Listen to the space and ask into assumptions or mirror the group (share with them what you have observed)
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