2. What is Facilitation?
Read through the definitions on page 4
and write down some of the themes
that run through two or more of the
definitions.
3. “A person who is acceptable to all group members,
substantively neutral, and has no decision-making
authority who helps a group improve the way it
identifies and solves problems and makes decisions.”
- adapted from Roger M. Schwarz
“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.”
- Ingrid Bens
What is a Facilitator??
4. Dual Responsibility of Facilitation
Helping to get
something done
Helping people to
develop
5. Adult Learning Principles
• Self-directed
• Fills an immediate need
• Participative
• Experiential
• Reflective
• Provides feedback
• Shows respect for the learner
• Safe atmosphere
6. Experiential – A project is an opportunity to learn as we get things done
10. Creating a Supportive Environment
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being “I do this very
well” and 1 being “I never thought that this was
part of the facilitator’s job”), rate your self in
each of the 10 tips. Write the number beside
each tip.
Page 69
12. Great Personal Courage
• You could never accuse these individuals of being
scared or intimidated.
• They are powerful charismatic individuals but in their
own way, which in some cases is quiet and
understated power.
13. Quiet Self Confidence
• Whilst not being introverted, these individual can
be quiet.
• They keep any extrovert tendencies to when they
are in front of large groups when physical presence
is necessary.
14. Risk Takers
• They are all risk takers.
• In the right moment, they will make an
intervention that others would not, but which
will transform the meetings outcomes.
• These risk are not rash or ill considered - these
are measured risks.
15. Think Faster
• A key factor in their risk taking and in
many aspects of the Master Facilitator’s
technique comes from the fact that they
are just able to think more agily than
others.
• They are quick witted, mentally alert and
can think on many levels at once.
16. Great People Skills
• Without exception they display superior people
skills
• They are relatable and understand what makes
people tick at a fundamental level.
• This does not mean these are people you might
chose as your best friend in all cases as some
but not all of them had an edge, an arrogance a
measure of controlled aggression.
17. Incredible Focus
• Right at the top of the skill set these individuals
all had incredible focus.
• They hear every word, catch every intonation,
see every ‘tell’ in the group no matter how large.
• They see and hear the smallest detail and whilst
still following big picture trends and leanings in
the group.
18. Emotional Intelligence
• Emotional intelligence truly defined is the
ability to control and work with one’s own
emotions and the emotions of others.
• The two sides of this seemed to be significant
in the Master Facilitator. The self control to
manage their ability (if they had so wished) to
‘manipulate’ the group.
19. Integrity and Authenticity
• Without this any facilitator can not have
build the necessary trust and support of
their meeting participants.
• Master Facilitators have this to a very high
degree.
20. Rabbits from Hats
• My favourite trait of the Master facilitator is
their ability to pull rabbits from hats.
• I sit in awe as they suddenly produce something
extraordinary from the work the group has
been doing which was not anticipated to
expected.
• Part technique and part experience it is always
powerful and incisive.
21. Information Handling
• Finally, the Master facilitator has a set of
organizational skills that are unusual in an
individual.
• These skills involve the ability to synthesis,
aggregate and integrate information and data,
seemingly without preparation or time.
• They also have the ability to draw on metaphors,
mental models and diagrams either from memory
or by inventing them on the spot.
22. Team Roles
• initiator-contributor
• information seeker
• opinion seeker
• information giver
• elaborator
• summarizer
• coordinator-integrator
• orientor
• disagreer
• evaluator-critic
• energizer
• procedural technician
• recorder
• terminator
23. White hat – Information-seeking
Yellow hat – Positive and up-beat
Black hat – Caution, devil’s advocate
Pink Hat – Impressions and feelings
Green hat – Creativity, innovation
Purple hat – Control, direction
p. 61
Bono’s Thinking Hats
27. Making Group Decisions
• Yes/No decisions are not useful for complex problems
• High power distance suppresses opinions
• Safe environment leads to better decision-making
• Stating the problem influences the decision – be precise
• Be careful of passive-aggressive behaviors
• Recognize the power-brokers
• Kinds of decision-making (part of the rules of engagement)
• Autocratic – I decide
• Democratic – We vote
• Consensus – Coming to agreement
• Laissez-faire – Whatever!!
28. Spectrum Lines - Vote with your Feet
How do you sense the progress of our project team
toward the project goals?
We are on target
There are having serious problems
We are lagging behind
We have lost our way
I have no idea
I could care less p.24
29. What do I tend to do . . .
When someone talks too much, I usually ….
When the group is silent I usually …
When an individual is silent for a long time I usually . . .
When someone gets upset I usually ...
When someone comes in late I usually . ..
When someone leaves early, I usually . ..
When group member will not resolve issues, I usually . . .
When there is conflict, I usually . . .
When someone gets angry, I usually . ..
When someone takes a cheap shot at me, I usually . . .
When the conversation gets off the track, I usually . . .
When someone makes a significant special effort, I usually . . .
When someone is not pulling their weight, I usually ...
Other??
