Page 219 - 4- Leading_from_Within

Clearly, no single leader in an organization can see or deal with all that is
happening and that needs to be done. That is why group dynamics has
become a major factor in sustaining a successful organization. The skill of
effective facilitation is a way of providing leadership without taking the

reins. The role of the facilitative leader is to shape and guide the process of
working together so that the team or organization can bring about the
achievement of the organization’s goals and desired outcomes.

The command and control styles of leadership of the past are succumbing
to a move toward employee empowerment. People on the front lines now

tend to have the information they need to respond to changes rapidly once
given the authority and tools they need to act. However, in crisis
situations, with little time for discussion, command and control is often the
leadership style of choice.
205

Facilitative leadership, which will be defined shortly, isn’t always
appropriate, but it yields the best results when there’s time to use it.
However, the type of leadership used by individuals in the organization
depends on the abilities, situation, and culture of that organization. For
instance, facilitative approaches often fall flat in groups who are just
learning the basic skills their work demands, or who have temperaments
that require constant direction.

A good facilitator can provide a number of important benefits to the
organization. For example, in conducting meetings he or she can: 206

• help the group clarify its goals or desired outcomes;
• keep meetings focused on the subject of discussion or on dealing with

the problem at hand;
• remind participants to consider the broader context of organizational
issues;
• move meetings along in a timely manner;
• use useful small group techniques to work through issues or

problems;

205 Steve Davis, “Facilitation as a Leadership Style.” http://facilitatoru.com/blog/facilitation/facilitation-as-
a-leadership-style/.
206 Adapted from Pickett Institute Curriculum, ILJ, 2002 • 1;
http://www.ilj.org/publications/docs/Facilitation_Skills_Developing_Facilitative_Leadership.pdf.

David Kolzow 219