Why Facilitation Matters More Than Ever

Imagine this: a high-stakes advisory board meeting where participants, handpicked for their expertise, sit through hours of repetitive discussions, misaligned priorities, and unresolved agendas. The collective brainpower in the room is palpable, but the results? Disappointingly mediocre.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. According to Harvard Business Review, executives now spend nearly 23 hours a week in various meetings—double the amount from the 1960s—yet the frustration with inefficient, ineffective meetings has never been higher.

The Advisory Board Centre’s Global Research Council conducted an eight-year longitudinal study across 607 organisations which found that meetings were the most common dissatisfier of employees.? This isn’t just a productivity issue; it’s a leadership one.

For advisory boards tasked with providing strategic insights and unlocking new opportunities, the cost of poorly run meetings is especially high. But there’s a solution: effective facilitation. A well-facilitated advisory board meeting doesn’t just ensure agendas are met—it creates an environment where innovation flourishes, decisions are sharper, and every participant leaves feeling their time was well-spent. As one seasoned board chair puts it:

“Facilitation transforms meetings from draining to dynamic. It’s where ideas find momentum, and progress takes shape.”

Yet, too often, their potential remains untapped due to poorly structured or facilitated meetings. What separates a mediocre advisory board meeting from one that sparks transformative ideas? Effective facilitation.

The Case for Effective Facilitation

Since 2012, the Global Research Council has researched and advocated for the adoption of best practice to build organisational advisory structures on a strong foundation.? With strong global adoption of the ABF101 Advisory Board Best Practice Framework, the research focus has expanded to include best practice facilitation techniques.

For savvy executives, flexing your facilitation skill is not just for the boardroom- it can be used in any meeting context.? Whether it’s an informal gathering or a formal board meeting, effective facilitation keeps participants focused, engaged, and productive, transforming meetings into strategic goldmines.

The Chair as Facilitator: A Strategic Advantage

Facilitation isn’t just for professional moderators—it’s an essential skill for executives and board chairs. A chair who can facilitate effectively brings focus, inclusivity, and momentum to discussions. As one chair reflected, “When I started using facilitation techniques, the dynamic of our meetings shifted. We went from talking at each other to really collaborating.”

The Advisory Board Centre recently hosted global advisory board chairs in Singapore to hone their executive facilitation skills.? Throughout the program, they shared examples of challenging board meetings and explored how quality facilitation can make the difference.

Common Meeting Challenges and How Facilitation Resolves Them

Inefficient Use of Time– Board meetings are notorious for meandering and off-topic discussions, which can be an inefficient use of participants time and expertise.? Facilitators tackle this head-on. One advisor shared,

“I attended a meeting last month where the facilitator cut through two hours of updates and got us talking about the real issue in 30 minutes. It was a game changer.”

A structured agenda, combined with skillful moderation, ensures every minute adds value.

Disengagement and Dominance– In every meeting, there’s the risk of imbalance: a few voices dominate while others fade into the background. This isn’t just frustrating; it’s counterproductive.? Skilled facilitators use techniques to balance participation. As one executive recalled, “Our facilitator noticed one member hadn’t spoken all meeting. She asked them directly for their opinion, and their insight ended up reshaping our strategy.” Encouraging quieter voices and tempering louder ones unlocks the full potential of diverse perspectives.

Irrelevant or Overloaded Information– Who hasn’t skimmed through a 50-page report only to realise most of it was irrelevant? Or you receive the agenda, only to realise there is no hope in effectively discussing the volume of agenda items.? This is a common grievance among board members.? Effective facilitators help streamline information. “Our facilitator made us rethink how we prepare materials,” says one advisory board manager.

“Now, everything ties directly to the agenda. No fluff, just focus.”

By curating relevant content, facilitators help participants focus on the issues that matter most.

Late Delivery of Meeting Materials– When critical materials arrive hours—or even minutes—before a meeting, it leaves participants scrambling. As one advisor lamented, “How am I supposed to provide meaningful input when I barely had time to skim the documents?”? Facilitators work with the advisory board sponsors to ensure materials are delivered well in advance, creating space for thoughtful preparation. A facilitator shared, “We made it a rule: no materials less than 48 hours before the meeting. It’s a simple fix, but it’s made a world of difference.”

Unclear Outcomes– There’s nothing more deflating than leaving a meeting unsure of what happens next.? Facilitators excel at providing clarity. One chair explained, “At the end of every meeting, our facilitator recaps the key points and asks, ‘Who’s taking what forward?’ It’s simple, but it ensures accountability.” This practice not only clarifies expectations but also drives accountability.

Facilitation Skills Provide a Competitive Edge

Modern executives are searching for new ways to enhance their personal brand and profile to remain competitive and relevant in a crowded market.? Learning facilitation skills can significantly enhance the effectiveness of professionals serving as board members or executives. These skills help them lead discussions, navigate complex dynamics, and drive meaningful outcomes in a way that inspires collaboration and encourages critical thinking.

Developing facilitation skills creates practical outcomes including:

• Enhancing Communication and Collaboration- Effective boards and executive teams thrive on diverse perspectives and collaborative decision-making. Facilitation skills enable professionals to guide discussions, ensuring all voices are heard and conversations are productive.
• Managing Complex Dynamics- Boards and executive teams often face high-stakes decisions and conflicting priorities. Facilitation skills help professionals navigate these challenges with confidence and composure.

• Driving Strategic Focus- Boards and executives have limited time and must address complex, high-impact issues efficiently. Facilitation skills enable professionals to structure meetings and discussions in ways that promote strategic clarity and aligned action.
• Building Influence and Leadership Presence- Influence and presence are vital for rallying others around a shared vision and driving decision-making.? Facilitators develop the ability to command a room, guide discussions, and inspire confidence. These qualities are critical for board members and executives.

• Increasing Adaptability and Problem-Solving Skills- Boards and executives operate in dynamic environments where flexibility is crucial. Facilitators often deal with unpredictable situations, which sharpens their ability to think on their feet and adapt to changing circumstances.

• Delivering Tangible Outcomes- Professionals are judged not just by their participation but by the value they contribute to discussions and decisions. Facilitation is about guiding groups to achieve specific results, a skill directly applicable to boardrooms and executive leadership.

Facilitation skills are not just tools for running meetings—they are leadership competencies that enhance a professional’s ability to navigate complexity, inspire collaboration, and deliver results. ?Effective facilitation turns advisory board meetings into strategic powerhouses. By addressing common challenges facilitation unlocks the full potential of these boards.

For chairs and leaders, developing facilitation skills isn’t just an asset; it’s a necessity.? As one veteran facilitator aptly said, “A well-facilitated meeting isn’t just efficient—it’s transformational. It’s where ideas take root and real progress happens.”

***

Keen to enhance your facilitation skills? Our Advisory Board Facilitation Skills Program is open to Advisory Board Centre members and current Certified Chairs - log into Advisory Board World events to learn more.

About the Advisory Board Centre

The Advisory Board Centre is the global professional body for the advisory sector. We work collectively with our members to raise the standard of the global advisory sector – driving value for professionals and the organisations they serve.

With members in over 30 countries, the Advisory Board Centre is the leading authority on advisory board best practice and is the only organisation globally that provides certification for advisory board chairs via the Certified Chair? Executive Program.

Through our Advisory+ service we support organisations and government bodies with scoping and establishing best practice advisory boards, undertaking board reviews, board recruitment, and mentoring. Learn more about how we can help you find greater impact from your governance systems.

To learn more about best practice advisory boards, you are invited to access complimentary resources including:

ABF101 Advisory Board Best Practice Framework?

State of the Market Global Report

?