What do you do if intuition leads your large group facilitation astray?

1 Recognize Error

When your intuition leads you astray, the first step is to acknowledge it. This doesn't mean announcing your misstep to the entire group, but rather, quietly recognizing to yourself that something isn't working. Pay attention to the group's energy, engagement levels, and the overall atmosphere. Are people becoming restless or disengaged? Is the discussion veering off-topic? These signs indicate that it might be time to reassess your approach and make adjustments.

2 Pause and Reflect

Once you've recognized that the session isn't going as planned, take a brief moment to pause and reflect. This can be a literal pause in the facilitation, allowing for a break or a shift in activity. Use this time to consider what's not working and why. Reflecting on the session's objectives and the current outcomes will help you pinpoint where the disconnect lies. Remember, taking a moment to regroup is a sign of a flexible and thoughtful facilitator, not a failure.

3 Consult the Plan

After pausing and reflecting, revisit your original plan or agenda. A structured plan serves as a roadmap and can help realign your facilitation efforts. Look at the objectives you set out to achieve and the activities designed to meet those goals. This comparison will help you identify where intuition may have led you off track and what you need to do to steer back towards your intended outcomes.

4 Engage the Group

If your intuition has taken you off course, consider turning to the group for direction. Engaging participants by asking for feedback can provide valuable insight into how to proceed. Pose open-ended questions to understand their perspectives and encourage dialogue about what they feel is or isn't working. This not only helps you recalibrate but also reinforces the collaborative nature of group facilitation.

5 Adapt Strategically

With feedback in hand and a refreshed understanding of your plan, it's time to adapt strategically. This means making informed changes to your facilitation approach that are responsive to the group's needs while still aiming to achieve the session's goals. This could involve altering activities, shifting discussion points, or even changing the pace of the session. The key is to remain flexible and open to change.

6 Move Forward

Finally, having made adjustments, it's important to move forward with confidence. Don't dwell on the misstep; instead, focus on the positive changes you've implemented. Continue to monitor the group's engagement and be prepared to make further adjustments if necessary. Remember, facilitation is an iterative process, and learning from moments when intuition leads you astray is part of your development as an effective facilitator.