"To facilitate or not to facilitate, that is the question." — A paraphrase of a much more famous saying by William Shakespeare
Facilitator Development
This is another one of those complex skills. One that sometimes takes a long time to perfect. The good news is that you can learn it, can develop since there are so many opportunities to practice. You might think, "How so? I don't run many meetings?" That is true, but you have to understand that you don't have to be the leader, you can be a participant who from times to time facilitate.
For the facilitator role can be played anytime one is in a meeting. And it seems as though meetings are very, very common. It would not be unusual for many supervisors and managers to spend four hours and more. And for executives, that number is even higher. The often have formal management meetings, and breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, and the dinners in the evening. So do you really want to be an executive?
Definitions
fa·cil·i·ta·tion Noun: The action of facilitating something. The enhancement of the response of a neuron to a stimulus following prior stimulation. Source: Goggle Search.
This definition is more common that you think. Leadership, one who leads, a teacher is one who teaches. Of course, it tells you nothing.
Even experts sometimes don't have very good definitions. For example, take this one.
One who contributes structure and process to interactions so groups are able to function effectively and make high-quality decisions. A helper and enabler whose goal is to support others as they achieve exceptional performance." Bens (2000)
So what is facilitation?
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Facilitation often works to get individuals to cooperate. |
I consisted of two actions: observations and interventions that move that group forward while maintaining consensus. Essentially, a facilitator functions as a leader, and it is a one type of the 19 leadership styles — one that is is very participative and democratic. It is not a laisse faire style, one does not allow the group to do whatever it wants. And it especially in not an autocratic style.
Success in playing the role depends on Three Key Assumptions:
- Facilitator Neutrality
- The Leader Acts in the Groups Best Interest
- Group Functions Under Consensus
Success in playing the role depends on Three Key Assumptions:
- Facilitator Neutrality
- The Leader Acts in the Groups Best Interest
- Group Functions Under Consensus
Learning Facilitation
Observation
This passive activity involves using the powers of a great detective to put together a coherent picture from observable information. It consists largely of listening and interpreting nonverbal communication patterns.
Interventions
An intervention has as its ultimate objective changing the inherent nature of interactions and processes within the group. It could be directed at any of the focus areas described earlier. Running Exercises (Experience) An experiential intervention means using a type of game, exercise or structured activity to help the group learn.
References
Bens, I. (2000). Facilitating With Ease!: A Step-by-Step Guidebook with Customizable Worksheets on CD-ROM, Jossey-Bass, ISBN 0-7879-5194-3
Kaner, S. with Lind, L., Toldi, C., Fisk, S. and Berger, D. (2007). Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, Jossey-Bass; ISBN 0-7879-8266-0
Schuman, S. (Ed) (2005). The IAF Handbook of Group Facilitation: Best Practices from the Leading Organization in Facilitation, Jossey-Bass ISBN 0-7879-7160-X
Schwarz, R. (2002). The Skilled Facilitator, Jossey-Bass ISBN 0-7879-4723-7.
