Why This Course
Groups tend toward chaos or with stronger personalities dominating the discussion and decision-making, leaving less assertive group members on the margins, trying to get a word in edgewise. Effective group facilitation saves time, balances participation, and improves both productivity and quality (quieter members often have answers that would otherwise be missed), not to mention provides clearer commitments, accountability and better time management.
Target Audience
Managers, executives, trainers, consultants, team leaders and project managers, and others who facilitate groups.
Course Objectives
- Build on natural strengths, adding new awareness and skill as a facilitator
- Learn and practice 16 different “facilitator moves” to respond to a variety of situations
- Find out how body language has even more of an impact than the words you say
Course Contents
- The Qualities of High-Performance Teams and Effective Groups
- 16 Facilitator Moves — self-assessment and learning plan
- Rapport and “sensory acuity” to be able to notice and use people’s signals
- Handling confrontation, difficult groups and challenging questions
- Managing diversity: How to accommodate all learning/listening styles
- Effective use of space* and visual aids such as flipchart, whiteboard, transparencies and projection systems
- Video feedback for accelerated learning: video capture and review of each participant taking their turn at facilitation practice, presentation, and/or leading the group adds an element of “impending performance” and reveals strengths as well as area for further skill development. Past programs have shown that this is time well spent. Optional but highly recommended.
* Why is use of space important to facilitators? Starting with how you set up the room, where you stand and how you move communicates more than you may know. Are you sending the messages you intend? Through demonstration and feedback, course participants discover how body language helps facilitators claim power and influence or allows them to become “invisible”. Learn when to do the right moves to get groups to cooperate and participate, feel safe, get things done and enjoy the process.
Course Length
6 – 18 hours total immersion time, depending on group size and desired proficiency
Delivery Options
(a) One to three 2/3-day (2 x 3-hr) sessions
(b) 2-4 half-day sessions; or
(c) 2-day intensive.
Teleseminar (webinar) or combination format also available, at least some coursework in-person allows for more practical application and accelerated learning.
