Page 24 - The ART of Facilitation

Strategic Approaches Continued
Understand the Significance of Story: We are constantly placing story on others in our journey to understand them.
Take care not to turn an implication you've picked up on within the conversation into a conclusion – proceed gradually and be hyper aware of what you are picking up on.
Don’t dismiss your instincts and proceed with caution, care, empathy, and flexibility.
Don't "jump ahead" to complete the person's sentence – you are making an assumption that may be incorrect.
After paraphrasing or summarizing what the person has said, get agreement that you've understood completely. Be open to the fact that you may not have – and let them correct you even if it seems like semantics. Semantics matter.
Ask questions beginning with the words "what", "how" and “why” (open-ended questions.).
Avoid questions that can be answered with a yes or no.
Acknowledge story when you see it in the group.
Keep to a Schedule: Stay on track and focus on what is most important.
It is the facilitator’s responsibility to keep the group on track, on agenda, and on time or to intentionally switch tracks if a new item or topic becomes more important.
Bring conversations back to the most important topic/question at hand and manage the time.
Maintain a “parking lot” for items that may be off topic yet important, key points that need further research, ideas prompted by the current discussion, etc.
Acknowledge What Is: Acknowledging a current state or reality often relieves tension or concern held when it is unspoken.
As the facilitator we need to be willing to acknowledge what is really happening: with ourselves, within the state of the group, and the state of the project.
Examples: “Whew that got messy”, “There are some intense emotions around this”, or “That is a serious commitment you all are suggesting.”
Focus Attention and Pacing: Stay focused in the present – and know where the group has been and where it needs to be.
Keep the group on the topic and focused, using care to limit or reduce repetition. Stay on track! This is one of the facilitator's primary responsibilities.
Everyone has an equal opportunity to participate. Encourage those who have been silent to comment. Let them know they matter and that their voice is important.
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