What are common mistakes made by entry level facilitators and how can a mentor help you avoid them?

Entry-level facilitators may encounter difficulties pertaining to confidence, the lack of a clearly defined plan, challenges in maintaining control during meetings, uneven participant engagement, and a potential deviation from a results-oriented focus. Seeking the assistance of a mentor is very useful. For instance, a mentor can observe the facilitator in action, offering constructive feedback for improvement. Drawing upon personal experiences, a mentor can provide guidance on navigating challenging situations and contribute to meeting preparation by reviewing agendas and anticipating potential issues. Mentors can introduce a variety of facilitation techniques and share examples of successful meetings to enhance the facilitators' skills.

I find most of the work of facilitation happens BEFORE the event I'm facilitating. In preparation, I think through the overall participant experience and anticipate their needs and expectations of the event. I remind myself that, more often than not, facilitation is about getting the participants or team to some end goal, and it is not about me as the facilitator trying to convince them of something new. My facilitation approach is in service of them, and I am helping to set them up for success and a desired end state. This all has to be worked through before the facilitated event itself.

Entry-level facilitators often struggle with time management, lack of preparation, and difficulty in handling unexpected challenges during sessions. A mentor can provide guidance by sharing their experiences, offering practical tips on effective planning, and teaching strategies for adapting to unforeseen circumstances. Mentors can also help entry-level facilitators develop strong communication skills, manage group dynamics, and build confidence in leading discussions. Regular feedback and constructive criticism from a mentor aid in continuous improvement, ensuring that facilitators refine their abilities and navigate challenges with greater ease, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness in guiding group processes.

One common mistake I've noticed in new facilitators is not preparing enough, leading to unclear objectives and poorly designed activities. Effective planning involves considering the session's purpose, audience, format, and duration, and preparing an agenda and necessary resources. A mentor's role is crucial here; they can review plans, provide feedback, and share best practices. This guidance helps facilitators to be better prepared and conduct more effective sessions.

One thing I've found helpful is guiding entry-level facilitators to be more adaptable. They often stick too closely to a script and miss cues from the group, leading to ineffective management of dynamics. It's crucial for them to stay flexible, tuning into the group's needs and energy, and adjusting their approach accordingly. A mentor can play a key role here by observing, providing constructive feedback, and suggesting alternatives. This helps facilitators learn to navigate and respond to the fluid nature of group interactions effectively.

Once at work, supervising a new facilitator, I noticed they struggled to engage participants, often talking too much and not fostering open discussion. To fix this, it's key to create an interactive environment, use open-ended questions, and offer varied, relevant activities. As a mentor, I demonstrated effective communication and facilitation techniques, helping them practice these skills. This approach is crucial for making sessions more inclusive and engaging, ensuring participants feel valued and heard, thereby enhancing the facilitation's effectiveness.

When I started as a facilitator, I often overlooked the importance of follow-up and evaluation after sessions. This lack of feedback meant missing key learning and improvement opportunities. For example, after not gathering participant feedback from a workshop, I was unaware of its effectiveness. To prevent this, it's essential to seek feedback, self-reflect, and communicate outcomes to stakeholders. A mentor can be crucial here, aiding in developing feedback strategies and fostering ongoing professional growth. With practice and mentorship, facilitation skills can be refined, leading to more impactful sessions.

Mentors are crucial for entry-level facilitators, guiding them to balance leading and listening, set clear goals, manage time effectively, and prepare thoroughly. They teach handling diverse group dynamics, emphasize inclusive participation, and the importance of post-meeting follow-ups. Additionally, mentors advise on using feedback, being adaptable, reading group energy, and building rapport, all essential skills for successful facilitation.