What do you do if your Large Group Facilitation skills are becoming outdated?

1 Assess Skills

To keep your large group facilitation skills fresh, start by conducting a thorough self-assessment. Reflect on your recent sessions, noting any recurring challenges or points where participant engagement waned. Consider whether you've been relying on the same techniques for too long and if they're still resonating with your groups. This reflection can highlight areas for improvement and help you identify skills that may need updating. It's crucial to be honest with yourself during this process; acknowledging that there's room for growth is the first step towards revitalizing your facilitation approach.

2 Seek Feedback

Gathering feedback is a critical component of improving your facilitation skills. Reach out to past participants, co-facilitators, or even observe other facilitators in action to gain insights into different styles and methods. Ask specific questions about what worked well and what could be improved. This feedback will provide you with a clearer picture of how your facilitation is perceived and which areas require attention. Remember, constructive criticism is invaluable for professional growth, so embrace it with an open mind and a commitment to learn.

3 Learn Trends

Staying abreast of the latest trends in large group facilitation is vital for keeping your skills relevant. Explore current literature, join professional facilitator networks, and participate in industry conferences to learn about new techniques and tools. Pay attention to how technology is changing the way groups interact and how these changes can be integrated into your facilitation practice. By staying informed about the latest developments, you can ensure that your methods are up-to-date and resonate with modern audiences.

4 Embrace Tech

Technology has transformed the landscape of large group facilitation, offering new ways to engage participants and manage group dynamics. If you're not already incorporating digital tools into your sessions, now is the time to start. Familiarize yourself with virtual meeting platforms, interactive polling software, and other digital resources that can enhance group participation. Embracing technology doesn't mean abandoning traditional facilitation techniques; rather, it's about augmenting your existing skills with new tools to create a more dynamic and inclusive environment.

5 Practice Skills

Once you've identified new techniques and tools, it's crucial to practice them before implementing them in a live setting. Create opportunities to test out these methods in smaller, low-stakes environments where you can refine your approach. This might involve running a pilot session with a trusted group or rehearsing certain aspects of your facilitation with colleagues. Practicing in a safe space allows you to make adjustments and build confidence in your updated skill set, ensuring you're ready to deliver an effective and engaging experience for larger groups.

6 Reflect Often

Continuous reflection is key to maintaining and improving your large group facilitation skills. After each session, take the time to evaluate what went well and what could be better. Consider how the new techniques or technologies you've incorporated are affecting group dynamics and engagement. Reflecting on each experience will help you fine-tune your approach and make informed decisions about further skill development. Remember, the landscape of group facilitation is always evolving, so make reflection an ongoing practice to keep your skills sharp and effective.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?