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What are effective ways to facilitate group discussions with power imbalances?

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Group discussions are essential for team facilitation innovation, but they can also be challenging when there are power imbalances among the participants. Power imbalances can result from differences in status, authority, expertise, experience, identity, or culture. They can affect how people communicate, collaborate, and contribute to the discussion. As a facilitator, how can you create a safe and productive space for everyone to share their ideas and perspectives? Here are some effective ways to facilitate group discussions with power imbalances.

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1 Acknowledge the power dynamics

The first step is to recognize and address the power dynamics that exist in the group. You can do this by inviting the participants to share their expectations, concerns, and goals for the discussion. You can also ask them to reflect on how their position, background, and assumptions might influence their views and interactions. By acknowledging the power dynamics, you can help the group become more aware of their own and others' perspectives, and create a more respectful and inclusive atmosphere.

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Chioma Nnaji, MPH, MEd

Master Facilitator | Equity & Engagement Strategist | Anti-Racist, Justice-Worker ?? I help social impact orgs maximize their work by facilitating effective strategies in engaging communities and leveraging partnerships.
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This is a critical step. Too often power dynamics is not acknowledged; thus it is able to have a stronger role in creating tension within the group. Once it is acknowledged, then the group can identify how to address it through group agreements or the structure of the session (e.g. separate by management level).

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Angelia DeWeese

Change Agent, Healthcare Simulationist, Facilitator, Learning & Development Expert
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This can be tough. It's very important to acknowledge the power differentials and dynamics in advance. Put a statement in the group's working agreement that states everyone has the opportunity to share and speak. Then you as the facilitator guard that sharing. You will also have to draw out the ideas and opinions of some in the group; especially if you sense the hesitancy has to do with a power differential. As always it takes discernment and courage to be a great facilitator. And you do this on behalf of people and process.

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2 Establish ground rules

The next step is to establish ground rules for the discussion. Ground rules are a set of guidelines that help the group communicate effectively and respectfully. You can involve the participants in creating and agreeing on the ground rules, or you can propose some and ask for feedback. Some examples of ground rules are: use active listening, avoid interrupting, respect different opinions, ask clarifying questions, and give constructive feedback. You can also assign roles, such as timekeeper, note-taker, or devil's advocate, to help the group stay on track and balance the participation.

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Michael Caver

Broadcasting Professional
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When a power dynamic is uneven this leads to the less powerful feeling psychologically unsafe to speak their mind. Having ground rules that help give those who may be subordinates an opportunity to feel safe especially if the rules are designed to provide that safety. It helps everyone feel as if they have a voice.

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3 Encourage equal participation

The third step is to encourage equal participation among the group members. You can do this by using various techniques, such as: asking open-ended questions, inviting quieter or less confident participants to share their thoughts, paraphrasing and summarizing the key points, acknowledging and validating the contributions, and managing the dominant or disruptive participants. You can also use different formats, such as: small group breakouts, round-robin sharing, brainstorming, or voting, to create more opportunities for everyone to express their ideas and opinions.

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Sunny Love

Learning and Development Expert ????Global Training Project Manager?? Instructional Design ?? Curriculum Consultant. ???Coach ?? Dedicated to revenue growth & building stakeholder relationships.
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One way I have found helpful is by breaking people into small groups and assigning each a small assignment that requires everyone to answer. Round Robin is popular. I’ll pick people to speak on a topic if they work in a certain department or I’ll preface calling on someone by saying, “Someone I haven’t heard from yet.”

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Anand Thangaraj, CSM?

Learning Specialist ? Facilitator ? Customer Success ? Experience Designer ? Aviation Enthusiast
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1. Promptly Intervene: Act quickly to address conflicts and prevent escalation. 2. Model Positive Behavior: Lead by example, demonstrating respectful communication and empathy. 3. Remain Neutral: Facilitate conflict resolution without taking sides or showing favoritism. 4. Provide Collaborative Resolution: Encourage students to work together to find solutions and resolve conflicts amicably.

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4 Address conflicts and challenges

The fourth step is to address any conflicts or challenges that arise during the discussion. Conflicts and challenges can be caused by power imbalances, as well as by misunderstandings, disagreements, or emotions. You can address them by using skills such as: empathizing, reframing, mediating, or negotiating. You can also use tools such as: icebreakers, check-ins, feedback loops, or debriefs, to build rapport, trust, and learning among the group members. You can also seek external support or guidance if needed.

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5 Celebrate diversity and creativity

The fifth step is to celebrate the diversity and creativity of the group. Diversity and creativity are the sources of team facilitation innovation, as they bring different perspectives, insights, and solutions to the table. You can celebrate them by: highlighting and appreciating the strengths and contributions of each participant, encouraging and rewarding experimentation and risk-taking, fostering a culture of curiosity and openness, and sharing and applying the outcomes of the discussion.

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6 Evaluate and improve

The final step is to evaluate and improve your facilitation skills and strategies. You can do this by: soliciting and providing feedback, reflecting on your own performance and behavior, identifying and addressing your own biases and blind spots, and seeking continuous learning and development opportunities. You can also use tools such as: surveys, questionnaires, or self-assessments, to measure and monitor your facilitation effectiveness and impact.

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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?

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What are effective ways to facilitate group discussions with power imbalances?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Acknowledge the power dynamics

2 Establish ground rules

3 Encourage equal participation

4 Address conflicts and challenges

5 Celebrate diversity and creativity

6 Evaluate and improve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Facilitation

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What are effective ways to facilitate group discussions with power imbalances?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Acknowledge the power dynamics

2 Establish ground rules

3 Encourage equal participation

4 Address conflicts and challenges

5 Celebrate diversity and creativity

6 Evaluate and improve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Facilitation

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