Facilitation: to make easy...making it easier
for people to work together, to get more done, in less time.
As a team facilitator you invite and coordinate full participation
and engagement from all your participants, colleagues and students, helping them reach individual and group full potential.
Group Process
Principles:
Facilitation skills can be practiced
by anyone in a group
...any
member can increase the group’s consciousness and effectiveness at any given time.
Facilitation is the knowledge
of group synergy and empowerment
...application of facilitation accelerates energy, cooperation and teamwork in groups.
Facilitating through conflict
helps to break down barriers
...lean into conflict with yourself and others. Remaining curious and non-judgmental during times of human conflict
and tension will create an opportunity for clarity and possible harmony. Think oil and vinegar. They don't mix, yet as they
partner it results in a surprising taste.
Facilitating an individual's evolution serves the whole
... a change
in an individual awareness affects the consciousness of the group.
Facilitating flow creates freedom(moving toward
the goal)
... if a group is exclusively attached to a specific outcome it will limit their awareness.
The
Team as Individuals
Allow time for participants
to talk about what they want and need as learners in the group.
Introvert/Extrovert
How does each member
process information?
Practice the skill
of paraphrase. Not because it is fun or easy, because it is necessary for clear-honest communication and for the best thinking
of the group to emerge.
Notice and inquire
about anxiety and conflict in individuals. Avoidance of conflict will prevent best thinking and synergy in a group.
If you have a person
who tends to dominate the group discussion several strategies can be employed:
- Use protocols that give everyone a turn to speak
- Acknowledge the domination and speak to its energy (is it anxiety/stress?)
- Address the behavior, not the individual. Reaffirm your norms concerning appropriate voice.
