How can you transition to a career in team facilitation?

Taking effective training is the first step. Training ensures that you know why something works or does not work. Effective training ties the necessary people skills to the necessary process skills. Be aware, "directive" is truly not a "facilitation" style.

One thing I have found useful is to stay relevant. What I mean by this, is to keep your finger on the pulse of new concepts and ideas by being self-reflective, being honest with yourself on what gaps you have and filling them by upskilling.

I have found it really helpful to find a practice supervisor that can help guide you before, during and after co-facilitation or team facilitation. This keeps you, your peers and your learners safe from any projection, other agenda or a biased lense.

Get effective training from someone who has experience. Join the IAF to share with other facilitators and learn from them. You can also find mentors who can help develop your skills and provide feedback.

Since we all are involved with groups - at work, at home, in clubs, etc., take opportunities to practice by volunteering to facilitate a meeting. This also affords you the opportunity to work with different groups and different situations.

A niche is nice, but a broader view provides more opportunities. Effective facilitators can facilitate numerous industries and numerous types of sessions both in private industry and in government or non-profit sectors.

Working towards and gaining accreditation by professional bodies provides the team faciliator (whether transiting to the new role or with lots of practical experience) with more opportunities to know more experts and veterans in the field, and keep updated about the latest developments which professional bodies are keen to share most of the time. Obtaining a relevant certification could be helpful to those who prefer a structured approach to acquire and hone their skills. Relevant certification also acts as a testimony to those veteran facilitators who have practiced and demonstrated their abilities in the field with years of experience under their belts and now what is left is a formal acknowledgement of their competencies.

Join the IAF and become a Certified? Professional Facilitator. It enhances your career and the feedback provided is invaluable. Building a network of facilitator colleagues makes a big difference as you learn from them as much as they learn from you.