Page 22 - The ART of Facilitation

Strategic Approaches
How you communicate makes a difference in gaining support and moving the session along efficiently and effectively. Active listening, modeling, knowing when to pause, understanding the significance of story, and scanning/observing are critical skills for a facilitator.
Droning: Full awareness of the entire space, all people, all energies – it is exhausting.
Scan and observe the group as a whole and as individuals.
Watch nonverbal cues in the form of body movement, facial expression, and gesture. Such cues often are important indicators of the pulse of a meeting. Notice body language and facial expressions of those who may have something they’d like to express. Check in and engage them.
If necessary, take a break, change the pace, surface the perspective, shift the topic, etc.
Cultivate full participation from the group and surface points of view.
Modeling: Leaders and Facilitators set the tone for group engagement and communication dynamics.
Exemplify the behavior that we want reflected in the group.
Be aware of judgments; know that they show up in our voice, message, and non- verbal communication.
Be open to a different point of view. This doesn’t mean you have to agree. Cultivate direct communication.
Cultivate empathy − put your self in their place.
Have fun when appropriate. If you are, they will as well.
Active listening Listen intently. Hear what is being said.
Be curious.
Listen for feeling as well as content – What is "between the lines"?
Listen for the main thought or idea, rather than trying to capture every word. Focus your energy and attention on what is being shared with you. Listen intently to understand – not to formulate your response.
Be aware of your own emotional and intellectual response to what you are hearing − it will affect how well you understand and can respond.Maintain good eye contact and open body language.Be genuinely interested in other people's thoughts, perspectives, ideas, and feelings.
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