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Proper preparation is more than important – it is a necessity. Even though you are not actually presenting, you are expected by the group to know what the goals of the meeting are, keep them going in the right direction, and reach a satisfying destination. The only way you can accomplish this is to be well versed in what has gone before, know the facts and what will be discussed, what is important and not so important. This will take prior research, a great deal of reading about the group and/or company, and spending time interviewing members of the group so you can get a feeling for the overall situation and tone. Have a plan, but plan to be flexible. Your job as facilitator is to move the group along toward solutions, so it is wise to have a plan in mind (and in notes) for the ways to accomplish this. You must maintain some control. However, it is imperative that you know how to be flexible and to step back when necessary. Remember that the reason a group hires a facilitator is the keep them on track and direct the discussions so they are beneficial. You are in charge, but that doesn’t mean that you have to act like the “heavy.” Add variety by initiating different meeting techniques. There are many ways to open everyone up. There is always the old standby of brainstorming, which can be effective as long as participants loosen up and aren’t worrying about others laughing at their ideas. It is up to you as facilitator to get everyone to relax and be willing to take risks. You might have them break into small groups (less threatening) and give each group a fun, but liberating, task. Mind tickling games will also help with fostering creativity, as will sharing some true stories. These can even be about embarrassing events that get everyone laughing. It has been proved that when people laugh they tend to relax and bond more easily with each other. Practice the art of true listening. Don’t just hear what is being said. You must listen so deeply that you also hear what isn’t being said. By understanding what is actually taking place you will gain enough insight to help the members of the group come to their own true understanding of what is worthwhile and what isn’t. They will be able to realize personal agendas – whether their own or others – discuss and get past them. This is the advantage to a group of having a facilitator. The effective facilitator listens as an objective outsider and yet has the kind of relationship with the group that helps him or her perceive like a subjective insider. Ask meaningful questions. By asking questions that encourage deep thinking and lively discussion, you will be able to help the group participants delve into areas they may not have discussed before or even considered earlier. Again, this should open opportunities for thinking and brainstorming creatively. Don’t be afraid to ask a wide open question that appears to be completely “off the wall” and “off topic.” It just might shake them up enough that they get started with a whole new generation of ideas. Continually summarize. Take time to enumerate where you’ve been so far, where you are going, and whether the direction is the one desired. If the meeting is moving along at a fast clip, it is easy to lose sight of what has been accomplished or not accomplished. Taking breaks to repeat some of the best points will solidify the value and also redirect parts of the meeting that are getting too far a field of the hoped-for results. Remember to have fun, but be serious about your position. You have the most important role. It is up to you, as facilitator, to make sure that the meeting is a success.
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If
you are the member of a board of trustees, in a leadership role of a company
or organization, or even a staff member of a company going through some
changes, you have probably attended a retreat or special off-site meeting.
The most successful retreats and/or special meetings I have been involved
with have all had excellent facilitators. The job of a facilitator is
to make sure that the time spent by the assembled group is worthwhile
– this is no small task. If you have been asked to be a facilitator,
you will find some tips in this article that should help you succeed in
this important position.
The
