Course Information

Facilitation is often referred to as the new cornerstone of management philosophy. Facilitation Skills workshop can help any organization make better decisions. This workshop will give participants an understanding of what facilitation is all about, as well as some tools that can be used to facilitate small meetings. A strong understating of how a facilitator can command a room and dictate the pace of a meeting will have participants on the road to becoming great facilitators themselves.

Objectives

• Define facilitation and identify its purpose and benefits

• Clarify the role and focus of a facilitator

• Differentiate between process and content in the context of a group discussion

• Identify ways a facilitator can help a group reach a consensus: from encouraging participation to choosing a solution

• Provide guidelines in dealing with disruptions, dysfunctions, and difficult people in groups

Outline

Introduction & Expectations

• Create a positive learning environment

• Identify participants’ expectations

Fundamentals of Facilitation

• Understand what facilitation is and how it differs from teaching or presenting.

• Definition of Facilitation

• Helping a group achieve its objectives

• Encouraging participation

• Guiding discussion without dominating

• Core Facilitation Skills

Learn essential facilitation techniques.

• Skill 1: Active Listening

  • Paraphrasing

  • Summarizing

  • Clarifying questions

  • Acknowledging contributions

• Skill 2: Asking Powerful Questions

• Skill 3: Managing Time

  • Use agenda

  • Set time limits

  • Summarize discussions

  • Redirect when off-topic

Managing Group Dynamics

• Learn how to manage different types of participants.

• Tools & Techniques for Facilitation

Introduce practical facilitation methods.

1. Brainstorming

   • Encourage all ideas

   • No criticism during idea generation

2. Small Group Discussion

   • Break participants into smaller groups

   • Share results with larger group

3. Round Robin

   • Each participant shares an idea in turn.

4. Visual Tools

   • Flipcharts

   • Sticky notes

   • Whiteboards

Facilitation Practice Activity

• Apply facilitation skills.

Reflection & Wrap-Up

• What facilitation skill will you use immediately?

• What is one challenge you expect when facilitating?

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