How do you deal with your own biases and assumptions as a facilitator?

1 Identify your biases and assumptions

The first step to dealing with your own biases and assumptions is to recognize them. Biases are the preferences, beliefs, or attitudes that affect your judgment or behavior, often unconsciously. Assumptions are the expectations or predictions that you make based on your biases, knowledge, or experience, without verifying them. To identify your biases and assumptions, you can use self-reflection tools, such as journaling, feedback, or surveys, to examine your own thoughts, feelings, and actions. You can also use external resources, such as books, podcasts, or courses, to learn about different types of biases and assumptions and how they affect your facilitation.

2 Challenge your biases and assumptions

The second step to dealing with your own biases and assumptions is to challenge them. Challenging your biases and assumptions means questioning their validity, accuracy, and relevance, and seeking alternative or contradictory information or viewpoints. To challenge your biases and assumptions, you can use critical thinking skills, such as asking open-ended questions, analyzing evidence, or applying logic, to test your own reasoning and conclusions. You can also use dialogue skills, such as listening actively, empathizing, or paraphrasing, to engage with your participants and understand their perspectives and experiences.

3 Adjust your biases and assumptions

The third step to dealing with your own biases and assumptions is to adjust them. Adjusting your biases and assumptions means modifying or updating them based on new or different information or feedback, and acknowledging and correcting any errors or gaps in your understanding or practice. To adjust your biases and assumptions, you can use learning skills, such as experimenting, observing, or reflecting, to try new or different approaches or methods in your facilitation. You can also use action skills, such as apologizing, clarifying, or adapting, to address any issues or conflicts that may arise from your biases and assumptions.

4 Diversify your inputs and outputs

The fourth step to dealing with your own biases and assumptions is to diversify your inputs and outputs. Diversifying your inputs and outputs means expanding and enriching the sources and forms of information and communication that you use in your facilitation. To diversify your inputs, you can use research skills, such as searching, reviewing, or synthesizing, to find and use credible and diverse data, evidence, or stories in your facilitation. To diversify your outputs, you can use design skills, such as planning, creating, or evaluating, to design and deliver inclusive and accessible activities, materials, or outcomes in your facilitation.

5 Collaborate with others

The fifth step to dealing with your own biases and assumptions is to collaborate with others. Collaborating with others means working with and learning from other facilitators, experts, or stakeholders who have different backgrounds, skills, or perspectives than you. To collaborate with others, you can use networking skills, such as connecting, sharing, or supporting, to build and maintain relationships with other facilitators, experts, or stakeholders who can offer you feedback, advice, or resources. You can also use co-facilitation skills, such as coordinating, facilitating, or debriefing, to co-design, co-deliver, or co-evaluate your sessions with other facilitators.

6 Commit to continuous improvement

The sixth step to dealing with your own biases and assumptions is to commit to continuous improvement. Committing to continuous improvement means adopting a growth mindset and a lifelong learning attitude towards your facilitation. To commit to continuous improvement, you can use self-management skills, such as setting goals, tracking progress, or celebrating achievements, to monitor and improve your facilitation performance and impact. You can also use professional development skills, such as seeking opportunities, taking courses, or joining communities, to update and enhance your facilitation knowledge and skills.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?