Team facilitation is a valuable skill that can help you lead effective and collaborative meetings, workshops, and projects. Whether you want to work as an internal or external facilitator, or simply enhance your existing role, there are some important steps to take when starting a career in team facilitation. Here are six of them.
The first step is to assess your own strengths and areas for improvement as a potential facilitator. You can use self-assessment tools, feedback from others, or coaching to identify your communication, listening, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. You should also reflect on your values, beliefs, and biases, and how they might affect your facilitation style and approach.
The second step is to learn the basic concepts and principles of team facilitation. You can do this by reading books, articles, blogs, or podcasts on the topic, or by taking online or in-person courses. You should familiarize yourself with the different types of facilitation, such as process, content, or outcome facilitation, and the various methods and tools that facilitators use, such as agendas, icebreakers, ground rules, or techniques for generating ideas, making decisions, or resolving conflicts.
The third step is to practice your skills in real or simulated situations. You can volunteer to facilitate meetings or events for your current or previous organization, community group, or network. You can also join a facilitation community of practice, where you can exchange tips, resources, and feedback with other facilitators. You should seek constructive criticism and learn from your mistakes and successes.
The fourth step is to build your portfolio of facilitation experiences and achievements. You can document your facilitation projects, including the purpose, objectives, participants, process, outcomes, and challenges. You can also collect testimonials, references, or evaluations from your clients or stakeholders. You should showcase your portfolio on your website, social media, or resume to demonstrate your credibility and value as a facilitator.
The fifth step is to expand your network of contacts and opportunities in the field of team facilitation. You can attend events, conferences, or workshops related to facilitation or your area of interest. You can also join online or offline groups, forums, or associations of facilitators, where you can find mentors, partners, or peers. You should actively participate in discussions, share your insights, and offer your services to potential clients or collaborators.
The sixth and final step is to keep learning and growing as a team facilitator. You can update your knowledge and skills by following the latest trends, research, and best practices in facilitation. You can also explore new topics, domains, or sectors that interest you or challenge you. You should always seek feedback, reflect on your practice, and set goals for your professional development as a facilitator.
- understand that people are different, including you as a facilitator - you are there to facilitate, not to advice - read or go to a coaching course, there are a lot of useful tips
Another advice to start building your public speaking skills. This might sound daunting at first. But what distinguish a good L&D facilitator to an exceptional one is public speaking skills. Be intentional and look out for speaking engaments through volunteering in community non profit work that involves being one of the resource speakers. If possible, seek out, join and be active member of Toastmasters International. Speaking in club meetings will be a great avenue to hone both public speaking and leadership skills. Plus you'll inevitably built a great network.