Page 322 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

between facilitating and leading. It has been said that leadership is something you do to a group,

while facilitation is something you do with a group. Although many leaders can (and should) be

effective facilitators, the facilitator differs from a leader in that the former is cognizant about the

use of power, authority, or control and places limitations on uses of it. A facilitator should be "a

neutral mediator whose job is to provide information and accommodate the exchange of dialogue

among ... participants" (from Catalyst). Facilitators assist groups as they work together toward

achieving group goals, and in most instances do not interject their own personal opinions or

agenda. By expressing their opinions to the group, facilitators risk discouraging others with

differing opinions from speaking. They remain alert to group dynamics and encourage challenging

reflection while maintaining respect and safety within the group. Although facilitators may help

guide a discussion, they also recognize and foster the groups own ability to lead itself. Thus unlike

authoritative leaders, good facilitators relinquish control to the group and promote open,

democratic dialogue among group members. Effective reflection requires that facilitators

demonstrate an open-minded attitude, communicate appropriately, manage group dynamics,

incorporate diversity, and provide closure. Developing skill in each of these areas involves learning

and becoming comfortable with numerous facilitation practices which include planning sessions

and having advance awareness for topic preparation and dialogue sequence (agenda) and reporting.

303