What is Facilitation?
Facilitation is the art of helping groups work together effectively. As a facilitator, you're not the expert on the topic - you're the expert on the process.
Key Principles
Create Safety
Establish an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
Listen Actively
Pay full attention to what participants are saying, both verbally and non-verbally.
Stay Neutral
Guide the discussion without imposing your own opinions or solutions.
Manage Time
Keep the discussion flowing while respecting time constraints.
Essential Skills
- Questioning: Ask open-ended questions that encourage deeper thinking
- Paraphrasing: Reflect back what you hear to show understanding
- Summarizing: Pull together key points and themes
- Redirecting: Gently guide the conversation back on track
Pro Tip
Remember: Your job is to help the group discover their own insights, not to provide all the answers.