The Engaging Facilitator

What is facilitation?

Facilitation is the art of leading people through processes towards agreed on objectives in a manner that encourages participation, ownership, and productivity from all involved.

What are the skills of a facilitator?

The core skills:-

• Trust building
• Thoughtful questioning
• Empathetic listening
• Constructive feedback

Specific skills:-

• Clarity of explanation
• Keeping control
• Managing time
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Getting to action

What are the tasks of a facilitator?

• Planning an event
• Agreeing objectives
• Creating a climate of success
• Managing the process
• Maintaining direction
• Monitoring progress
• Dealing with fears
• Managing conflict
• Developing action plans
• Summarising and reviewing outcomes
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Managing the wider organisation

What are the tools of the facilitator?

• Brainstorming
• Icebreakers and energisers
• OARRs Outcomes, Agenda, Roles and Rules
• Posters
• Lists
• Clusters
• Grids
• Diagrams
• Drawings
• Mandalas