Keys to Effective

Facilitation
Katie Willett
January 20, 2012

Session Objectives

Discuss facilitation and the benefits of using

a facilitative approach.
Explain keys to successful facilitation.
Demonstrate skills and tools to facilitate
effectively.

Setting the bar: What is our

goal?
Describe the most effective meeting you
have attended.
Describe the least effective meeting you
have attended.

Clarify Expectations

How do you want others to describe the

meetings you facilitate?
What results do you hope to accomplish
through your meetings?

What is Facilitation?

On the broadest level, facilitation is using

knowledge of group dynamics to design
and deliver a process to help a group
achieve desired results.
Planning meetings.
Staff meetings.
Committee meetings.

Using a Facilitative Approach to

Training
Creating a structure that is open and
flexible enough to allow for exploration
of issues.
Creating a process to invite participants
to actively engage in their learning.
Listening and asking questions.

Why do we Facilitate?

Highlights the needs of the learner.

Assumes the possibility of working with
more than one right answer.
Most productive way to engage
participants in the learning process.

Paradigm Shift for

Facilitators
Instead of:

Try this:

Thinking about having the

answers.
Searching for agreement.
Speeding up to get the
end.
Focus on individual
thinking.
Support the urge to
compete.
Expecting perfection.

Think about having the

questions.
Search for input.
Slowing down to savor the
journey.
Benefit from collective
thinking.
Engage and collaborate.
Embrace uncertainty and trust

Keys to Effective Facilitation

1. Create a positive learning

environment.
2. Develop core competencies in process.
3. Build around the adult learning model.
4. Address different learning styles.
5. Develop core competencies in content.

What was done at the

beginning of the session to
create a positive learning
environment?
It all starts with you!!

Some Responses

Warmly greet you.

Plan opening
carefully.
Use visual aids
effectively.
Debrief activities.
Stay focused on
topics.
Dress appropriately.
Listen attentively.

Respond gracefully.
Encourage
participation.
Room set-up.
Learning names.
Open body language.
Use experiential
activities to allow you
to create your own
learning moments.

Keys to Effective Facilitation

1. Create a positive learning environment.

2. Develop core competencies in process
techniques.
3. Build around the adult learning model.
4. Address different learning styles.
5. Develop core competencies in content
development.

Develop Core Competencies

Process

Content

How you work

with the
group.
What you
cover.

Whole Brain Activity

Content:

Process:

Know the big picture and the

details; know the flow.
Give clear and complete
instructions.
Design the session to affirm
the wisdom of the group.
Tie pop-ups to the purpose of
the segment to reinforce
learning.
Identify at least one additional
learning point when closing.

Ask open-ended questions.

Listen and paraphrase
comments.
Encourage questions and
conversation.
Confront unacceptable
behavior.
Use time and space
intentionally.
Use soft eye contact and
participant names.

Competencies

Create a climate that supports learning.

Use impactful questions.
Listen thoughtfully.
Manage the time and space.
Fly under a neutral flag.
Orchestrate the audience drama.
Assume responsibility for participants
learning.

Some Basic Techniques

1.Starting the conversation.

Manage the environment and initiating
conversation.

2.Organizing the flow.

3.Broadening participation.
4.Helping individuals make their points.
5.Managing divergent perspectives.
6.Reaching agreement.
7.Question and answer techniques.

Communicating with
Confidence
What does communicating with confidence
look like to you?

Communicating with
Confidence

Plan

Collect your data.

Who is your audience?
What do they want to learn?
What do they need to learn?
Write your objectives.
Anticipate questions.

Preparation Sets the Stage

Know your audience.

Know your content points.
Memorize your opening comments.
Three phase delivery.
Prepare your close.
Create your opening.

Practice

Three Tools
Voice.
Gestures and Posture.
Structure.

Voice

Variety matters.
Volume-project so that everyone can hear you!
Pitch-use your voice to highlight key ideas.
Pace.
Accentuate key words with tone, volume and
pitch.
Pause frequently to take a deep breath, so you
can project with confidence.
Pronounce consonants and finish words. Voice
the vowels.

Posture

Stand up straight.
Breathe deeply and control air flow with
diaphragm.
Aim your voices at someone at increasing
distances throughout the room.
Empty your pockets.

Harnessing Energy through

Gesture Control
Stand in balanced manner.
Use hands in moderation.
Keep gestures above waist and focused on
message.
Empty pockets before you start.
Let hands rest at side periodically.

Structure

Start big Make an impression.

Use a quote, headline, story.

Be organized.
Speak with Plain English.
Use pictures to make your point.
Round statistics up, over two thirds, not 66.7
%.

Impact Strategy

State the idea you want others to consider.

Relate the idea to a previous statement or
event.
Support idea with evidence or data.
Integrate by asking for support.

Personalize for your

Participants
Use of language.
Set up the right environment.
Focused eye contact.

Connecting with your

Audience
Focused eye contact is key.
Look around the room before you start
speaking.
Focus eyes on one person and then start
speaking.
Hold eyes on one person until you have
completed a thought. (4 to 6 seconds)
Rotate position of people with whom you
connect visually.

Persuade

What can a facilitator do to persuade

participants to shift their view?

Persuade

Be credible.
Use real facts and data.
Channel nervousness.
Visualize a successful session.

Keys to Effective Facilitation

1. Create a positive learning environment.

2.Develop core competencies in process.

3.Build around the adult learning
model.
4.Address different learning styles.
5.Develop core competencies in content.

Malcolm Knowles

Adult Learning Theory.

Why is it relevant to us?

Before Learning Starts, Adults

Ask

Keys to Effective Facilitation

1. Create a positive learning environment.

2.Develop core competencies in process.

3.Build around the adult learning model.
4.Address different learning styles.
5.Develop core competencies in content.

Different Learning Styles

How do you learn best?

Kinesthetic.
Visual.
Auditory.

Personal Focus

How will you incorporate these principles into

your meeting designs or training?
1.Adult Learning Theory.
2.Learning style differences.

Keys to Effective Facilitation

1. Create a positive learning environment.

2.Develop core competencies in process.

3.Build around the adult learning model.
4.Address different learning styles.
5.Develop core competencies in
content.

Building the Content

process

conten
t

How will you get started?

ADDIE Model
Start
here

Assess and Analyze

Questions to Ask
Who is the audience?
What do they need to
learn?
What do they hope to
learn?
What is the purpose of
the session?

Tools to Use
Surveys.
Questions.
Focus groups.

Design and Develop

Start with the objectives.

Keep in mind:
Adult Learning Theory.
Learning styles.
Time blocking.

Design interactive ways to explore the

topic.

Key Elements

Icebreaker.
Opening--Objectives, Agenda, Ground
Rules.
Content.
Make it active.
Consider learning styles.
Create segues.

Close with commitment.

Effective Designs

Keep objectives in mind.

Develop solid useful content.
Create a logical flow.
Keep Adult Learning Theory in mind.
Create visuals and materials that support
learning .
Use a variety of activities to engage.

Implement and Facilitate

PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE!

Focus on content and process.

Build around the adult learning model.
Address different learning styles.
Create a positive learning environment.

ADDIE Model

In Review

Through participation in this training,

participants will be prepared to:
Explain facilitation and the benefits of using a
facilitative approach.
Discuss keys to successful facilitation.
Apply skills and tools learned to facilitate
effectively.

Close with Commitment

Questions?