Here's how you can master the differences between traditional facilitation methods and modern approaches.

Facilitation (group facilitation, not teaching) has changed very little over the past 40+ years. What changes are the tools and the integration of process and people skills. Continue learning new processes and ways of working with people. This will give you the core knowledge to guide the group. By the way, traditional facilitation was NEVER rooted in a directive approach and the facilitator was NEVER the expert in guiding the discussion. You should NEVER be authoritative and NEVER guide a group towards predefined goals - that's called manipulation, not facilitation.

Here, the role of the Facilitator is: 1. Subject matter expert 2. Transfer of knowledge 3. Agenda-focussed 4. Low level of participation.

The facilitator is always neutral (and always has been) and never a subject matter expert. Open Space and World Café are great tools when properly facilitated. To excel, join the International Association of Facilitators and understand the Core Facilitator Competencies. These have been around for 30 years and have been tested in many cultures, countries, and styles of facilitation. Being flexible has always been important and harnessing the wisdom of the group has always been what facilitation is about.

The modern Facilitator: 1. Plays a neutral role 2. Provides psychological safety 3. Harvests the group wisdom 4. Does active listening 5. Uses the facilitation process to achieve the desired outcome 6. Demonstrates the Facilitators' competencies.

If you're a facilitator, then facilitate. Blending training and facilitating confuses the participants - which hat are you wearing now? Separate the two. Either train (using facilitation skills) or facilitate. The trainer is an expert in the content. The facilitator is not - he/she is an expert in the group process.

The modern Facilitator: 1. Flexes the hat of a Facilitator and Trainer 2. Adapts as per the situation 3. Plays the role of FaciliTrainer 4. Focused towards achieving the desired outcome 5. Checks the understanding through facilitation. 6. Understands the group dynamics

The modern Facilitator makes good use of digital tools: 1. Mentimeter for check-in mood 2. Slido for group activity 3. Padlet for the takeaways 4. Kahoot for gamified quiz 5. Ideaboardz for harvesting group wisdom.

The modern Facilitator: 1. Follows 3:Cs approach - Connect, Context and Content 2. Demonstrates Empathy 3. Makes use of check-in and check-out mood 4. Practices active listening 5. Holds space for the participants 6. Constantly monitors the energy levels

The IAF Core Competenies are helpful when building a personal learning pathway as a facilitator. You can download them from the IAF website and do a self evaluation to identify areas of growth and exploration in your journey.

Join the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) to understand trends, theories, etc., of facilitation and develop a network of skilled facilitators from around the world.