Mastering the Art of Facilitation: Empowering Teams for Success

We have all been on the receiving end of a dull training or an endless meeting that you can’t understand why it is taking so long! You leave the session frustrated, de-motivated and not really knowing what has been achieved… The facilitator needs to know how to engage and motivate the audience, whether it’s in a workshop, during a presentation or as a chair of that dreaded team meeting.?

If you deliver any of the above to your teams or to markets, then you have the opportunity to be a facilitator. We suggest you recognise this skill as an opportunity to connect to your audience further.

Facilitation is a valuable skill and a key role in organisations because it enables groups to work more effectively and achieve their goals efficiently. Facilitation has three basic principles:

·???????A facilitator is a guide to help people move through a process together, not the seat of wisdom and knowledge. That means a facilitator isn't there to give opinions but to draw out opinions and ideas of the group members.

·???????Facilitation focuses on?how?people participate in the process of learning or planning, not just on?what?gets achieved

·???????A facilitator is neutral and never takes sides

Here are 7 reasons why facilitation is a key skill to have:?

·??????Improved decision-making:?A skilled facilitator can help a group make better decisions by guiding them through a structured process that encourages everyone to share their ideas and perspectives.?

·??????Enhanced creativity and innovation: By creating a safe and inclusive environment, a facilitator can encourage group members to think outside the box, share new ideas, and develop creative solutions.?

·??????Improved communication:?Facilitation can help improve communication by ensuring that all participants have the opportunity to express their views, and by managing any conflicts or misunderstandings that may arise.

·??????Increased engagement:?Effective facilitation can increase engagement and participation in meetings or workshops, which can help build stronger relationships and foster a more positive and productive work environment. The facilitator needs to be able to recognise when energy levels dip and incorporate energizing activities to aid focus and engagement.

·??????Greater efficiency:?By keeping meetings or workshops focused and on track, a facilitator can help groups achieve their goals more efficiently, saving time and resources.

·??????Managing team politics:??Effective facilitators recognise obstructive behaviour and can implement coping strategies to ensure the team remains cohesive and focussed.

·??????Development of Leadership skills:?Recognising and creating leadership opportunities in the team?

So next time you are going to chair a meeting, plan training or deliver a workshop – stop and think … could I improve on my facilitation skills? If you're interested in learning more about how effective facilitation can assist your business or organisation, please get in touch.?

Ask about our ‘facilitation in practice workshop’. Call +44 7815 122152.?