Is Facilitation the answer to getting things done?
“the act of helping other people to deal with a process or reach an agreement or solution without getting directly involved in the process, discussion, etc. yourself”
In a world full of meetings, collaborations, workshops, training, and teams, having someone leading the conversation, creating engagement, listening, and remaining neutral is an important tool. It’s the facilitator’s job to make the whole process easier and to help get the most out of a group or session.
You can join us on Wednesday for our popular Training and Tea to find out more about facilitation skills, visit our eventbrite page for tickets.
Read on to see how you might benefit from facilitation; in the workplace, in community groups, or even just at home and in your everyday life. Facilitation is a lot like writing, public speaking, or project management, they’re great tools to become accustomed to and have up your sleeve, but it takes training and experience to really become a pro.
Nearly everyone has sat through a meeting and thought “why am I here?”. Let’s examine how a facilitator helps put these sorts of experiences in the bin.
A facilitator is simultaneously a coach, a counselor, and a navigator, orchestrating the whole group into achieving something together greater than the sum of their parts. They not only put the group together but make the journey itself as smooth and successful as possible and keep an eye on the big picture throughout and lead the group towards a set goal or objective.
Here are some of the key advantages that having a facilitator in your meetings and workshops can bring to the table:
Lead the group effectively, encouraging participation and true collaboration. Making sure to encourage full involvement from all those involved, question and clarify the discussion with an aim to bringing the best results out of the meeting.
Can bring a toolkit of activities and methods to get the group through the process and to the outcomes you want.
Take a neutral view, being removed from office politics, or preconceptions is critical to the lead role of the facilitator.
Guide the group through complicated, tough, challenging, and sometimes hard conversationstios and discussions.
Free up group members to fully engage in the task and conversation instead of them having to manage the meeting and splitting focus.
“Facilitation is a mix of communication, organisation and creativity. I often find myself applying these skills in my everyday life, not just at work when I am the role of a designated facilitator of a session. Even if I don’t call it “facilitation” in that moment - they are the skills I am using.
The facilitation skills I have learned over the years have been helpful in motivating others, informal meetings with colleagues, organising activities with friends, planning home-life with my family, as a school Governor, advocacy, time management and generally getting things done.
Time learning new tips and tricks on how to facilitate effectively is time well spent.”
Kate Burns – Community Chesterfield Skills and Learning Coordinator
“As a charity that works with victims and survivors of domestic abuse. The Elm Foundation is client centred and solution focused, facilitation is an integral part of many of the interactions we have we our service users.
Supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse is far more than helping them to be safe. Most victims have the power and control taken away in an abusive relationship. Victims often feel powerless and have had their confidence and self esteem eroded away by the abuse they have been subjected to. Domestic abuse support services are there to support victims to rebuild their lives. Restoring confidence and self esteem are part of the road to recovery. Facilitation by our support workers is key to building that confidence and empowering survivors to take back control.
We would say that one of the most important “tools” in our toolkit of facilitation skills is Active listening.
Active listening ensures that our client knows they are heard and understood. Fear of not being believed is a huge barrier for victims disclosing their abuse.
Active listening enables a support worker to clarify and summarize on what the victim has been subjected to in a way that is non-judgmental. This is paramount in breaking down the feelings of stigma and shame that is entangled in domestic abuse for victims.
Active listening also provides opportunities for our clients to be proactive in taking back control (something that all victims of domestic abuse lose to their perpetrator). This helps to keep our work solution focused and client led”
Helen – The Elm Foundation
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be in an abusive relationship you can receive help, advice, and support via the Derbyshire DA Helpline 08000198668, Text service: 07534617252, or via the website https://www.derbyshiredomesticabusehelpline.co.uk/