Facilitation is the art, the science, and the skill of guiding a group to
- Identify issues
- Solve issues
- Plan ahead
There is a difference between attempted facilitation and good facilitation. Facilitation is an art and it’s not easy, yet managers and team leaders are expected to facilitate all kinds of meetings and activities without necessarily having the skills to do it well.
A good facilitator ensures meetings flow smoothly, everyone participates, decisions are made and actions notated. A good facilitator guides the process, keeps discussions focussed, teases out diverse opinions, provides structure, an impartial perspective, and ensures all participants are able to interact constructively. A good facilitator knows their audience will get out of their Pyjamas to be at their meetings!
5 tips to facilitating a meeting
- Set clear objectives
- Have activities to stimulate discussion and generate ideas
- Use voice modulation to manage behaviour
- Change activities every 30 minutes
- Practice active listening
If you are interested in honing your facilitation skills, Purple Pyjamas runs an Art of Facilitation Course. See here for more information.