This brief slide show helps "new" facilitators understand their role.

1. Facilitate, v. – Syn.
promote, aid, make easy,
simplify, help, assist, abet, be of
use, help along, boost
Webster’s New World Thesaurus

2. The Context for
Facilitative Work

4. Problem Decision Taking
Solving Making Action

5. CONTENT PROCESS
The What The How
(Team Focus) (Facilitator Focus)
 Subject of discussion  Methods
 Task  Procedures
 Problem being solved  Relationships
 Decision being made  Tools
 Agenda items  Rules / norms
 Outcomes  Dynamics
 Climate

6. Problem
Solving
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7. Problem Decision
Space Space
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Agree there is Agree to a Agree to Agree on criteria Agree on Agree on
an issue and problem what the used to evaluate value of option the
generate data statement. cause(s) solution options. each group is
are. option. willing to
Describe Generate support.
what, options. Test
where, options
when and against
how criteria.
much.

8. What Facilitators Do ….
Clarify outcomes “Park” off-topic items Support / suggest
Create expectations Make interventions Paraphrase / Question
Communicates Maintain energy Listen / respect
Analyze context Set the tone Check for agreement
Scan environment Keep on track / topic Show empathy
Identify stakeholders Set the pace / tone Appropriately assertive
Clarify roles Set an example Create focus
Communicates Disclose feelings Stay flexible / optimistic
Assemble resources Use peoples’ names Be informed / sensitive
Make arrangements Model a “Win/Win” attitude Be alert / unobtrusive
Plan contingencies Use Congruent non-verbals Surface concerns
Review participation Be concise Watch the time
Select processes Be candid Know when to stop
Formulate agenda Create positive atmosphere
Stay neutral Evaluate actions
Communicates
Monitor norms Evaluate outcomes
Protect the Process Use tact / discretion Evaluate processes
Ensure participation Clarify / Probe Communicate
Manage Conflicts Summarize Recognize / thank

9. What Could Go Wrong …..
And how can I prevent it?
Before the During the session: After the session
session, get •Listen as an ally summarize:
understanding and •Ask open ended questions •Agreements
agreement on: •Be positive •Decisions
•Desired outcomes •Provide clear instructions •Outcomes
•Sponsor expectations •Check for understanding •Next steps
•Decision making •Point out agreements
•Ground rules •Drive “process stakes”
•Agenda •Encourage participation
•Context •Stay neutral
•Environment •Monitor norms
•Stakeholders •Use tact / discretion
•Participants •Clarify / Probe
•Roles •Summarize
•Accountabilities
•KPI’s
•Level of participation

10. E
High Involvement
Delegate with Criteria
Fallback
D
Act on Consensus
Fallback
Range of
C
Participation Decision
Act with Team Input Making
Options
B
Act with Individual
Input “blue” figures
have the “D”
(decision rights)
A
Low Involvement
Decide and Announce

11. Practices That Help Practices That Hinder
 Be attentive to group needs  Be oblivious to group needs
 Personal sensitivity  Don’t listen
 Maintain a “safe” atmosphere  Lose track of ideas
 Create focus / purpose  Take poor notes
 Be a servant to group  Be the center of attention
 Keep it simple  Get defensive
 Listen carefully  Put down people
 Watch body language (yours too)  Let conflict go unattended
 Help identify  Let a few dominate
 Ensure participation  Don’t ask how the session is going
 Remain neutral  Impose your thoughts on the
 Maintain energy content
 Be flexible  Let them get and stay off track
 Check understanding (yours too)  Use only your favorite tools
 Summarize frequently  Let it go on and on and on and on
 Be tool proficient (what/when)  Be insensitive to cultural
 Focus on the outcomes differences
 Keep ownership with participants  Use inappropriate humor

12. Facilitation
Tools

13. Problem Decision
Space Space
Tools Tools
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 Perception Sharing  What’s the  Analyze data  Output expected;  N/3  Eliminate
 Affinity Diagram real problem?  Develop Input available  Category No-Go’s
 In Frame / Out of  Lasso likely causes  Criteria Setting Sort Combine /
Frame  What’s  Test causes  Brainstorm  +/- Top Delete
 Threats / effected,  More of / • Group several  What would
Opportunities where, when Less of •Silent  Evaluate it take?
…  Fist to 5 •Write against  Straw Poll
•Pass criteria Both / And
•Fishbowl  Fist to 5