Kelly Bailey, Durham CollegeBased on the work of Ingrid Bens

(Facilitation at a Glance)

Today’s planThis session is designed to develop

facilitation skills among college leadersKelly Bailey, Human Resources, Durham

CollegeDefining facilitationFacilitator stanceCore practicesPreparing to facilitateFacilitator languageMeeting managementSupporting participation

Introduction

On one side of your card, write what you hope to GAIN from this workshop

On the other side, write a list of words that you think characterize facilitator/facilitation

Find the other person who has the same colour dot/triangle on their card as you do, and form a pairShare what you have written on your cards

Goals of facilitationFacilitators focus on PROCESS, not contentFacilitators help groups to achieve THEIR

(the group’s) goalsFacilitators help groups to build skills in

communication, problem-solving, conflict management, decision making

Facilitators support the development of leadership within the group

See top of p. 3 in handbook

Why facilitation skills for leaders?Leaders who use facilitative techniques and

approachesAre transparent Show integrity and respect for othersEnsure equal voice and encourage diversityEncourage innovation through explorationAre clear about accountability for themselves

and their team membersDevelop team members’ skills, which supports

sustainability and development

College Values?

The facilitator stanceFacilitators do

Help the group define its goals

Suggest processes and tools to assist the group to move toward their goals

Monitor interactions, intervening as appropriate to support continued progress

Provide a “container” and strategies that assist in consensus building and equity of participation

Control the process of the meeting

ASK the group how they want to proceed

Facilitators do NOT Interject their own

opinions Judge others’

contributions in relation to content

Interrupt when the process is going well

Control the content or decisions of the group work

Monopolize the conversation

Make decisions on content for the group

TELL the group how they should proceed

Core Skills ActivitySee core skills descriptions

pp. 5-7Your pair will be assigned

1-2 skills; read the descriptions in the handbookSummarize each skill in one

sentence, on chart paper provided

Plan to present your work to the group

Time for Check-in

Before facilitating Interview event coordinator (or yourself)

Why facilitation?Goals of eventPotential issuesEmpowerment level (see p. 90-94)

Consider checking with event participants via a survey or interviews

Create a draft design; obtain feedback; reviseHave alternate plans, extra process tools in

mindSee pp. 50-51 for more details

Facilitator language1. Paraphrasing (mirroring)2. Reporting behaviour3. Describing feelings4. Checking perceptions

More info on pp. 10-11

Facilitator best & worst practices p.18-19 read aloud to each other, taking turns

Ask, don’t tell!

Meeting managementIn your new pair, brainstorm a list of

“meeting stoppers”—behaviors that hinder success at meetings

Complete the “symptoms and cures” matching task

Check your answers on p. 137

Meeting managementTo assist a dysfunctional group have better

meetings:Distribute the group behaviours lists (pp. 105)Encourage everyone to use the lists during a

meeting, to make silent observationsCollectively create 2 lists:

Things we do well and should do more of Things we do that hinder success and we should

seek to reduce

Barriers to participationCreate a list, with your partner, of things that

might prevent people from participating fully in a facilitated event

See creating participation pp. 69-75

Barriers to participationFor full participation, people must

Feel relaxedUnderstand the topicHave had some say in the planningFeel committed to the topicHave the required informationFeel safeNot feel influencedHave confidence in the facilitatorAre comfortable in the meeting roomFeel the organization will take action on their ideas

How can we ensure these criteria are in place? Brainstorm 1-2 ideas per item, with your partner

Summary activityThink-pair-share with your original partnerWhat is the most valuable thing you learned

today?How do you see yourself using facilitation

skillsFaculty?Program Coordinator?Associate Dean?Dean?

Recommended resource:

Facilitation at a Glance! 3rd EditionYour Pocket Guide to FacilitationIngrid Bens, M.Ed.

www.MemoryJogger.org1.800.643.4316