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:
 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.
Try this:
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 the
process.
Keys to Effective Facilitation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Create a positive learning environment.
Develop core competencies in process.
Build around the adult learning model.
Address different learning styles.
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.
Make people feel valued.






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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Create a positive learning environment.
Develop core competencies in process techniques.
Build around the adult learning model.
Address different learning styles.
Develop core competencies in content development.
Develop Core Competencies
Process
How you work
with the group.
Content
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 participant’s 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
prepare
personalize
practice
persuade
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
3. How will this make
my life easier or help
me reach my goals?
2. While in this
session, will I be able
to make some
decisions and shape
this experience?
4. Is this worth my
time and
commitment?
1. Why do I need
to know this?
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
content
How will you get started?
ADDIE Model
Assess
and
Analyze
Start here
Evaluation
Implement
Facilitate
Design
and
Develop
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
Assess
And
Analyze
Evaluate
Implement
Facilitate
Design
And
Develop
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?