ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013

Important Facilitation Skills
Linking
Containment
Observation
Scribing/
Writing
Intervene/
innovate
Listening
Recap/
Summary
Language
Encourage
self-organizing
Connect sessions and themes, making links and emphasizing the points made over a
number of different sessions
Provide structure, guidance and boundaries for the group. Bring the group back on
task when they waiver
Be very aware of the group dynamic, who is participating and how the content is
being received based on body language and other factors.
Write clearly, using different colours and in point form to track the process and
important areas covered.
To regenerate the group, guide it back on track or meet an emerging need, the
facilitator may need to make an intervention (e.g. reflect back to the group what is
being observed at that moment) or innovate to accommodate something that the
group might have requested. Creativity and innovation is part of the art of facilitation.
Listening to participants is vital, but also of importance is listening to the self, the
energy field and atmosphere. Sometimes, you will need to consciously suspend a
critical inner voice that may push facilitation into ego. This often reveals the group
dynamic and what may need to be introduced to shift it so that it becomes more
conducive.
Going over content is important and allows facilitators to check levels of
understanding. Summarizing is also vital, especially when a lot of ground has been
covered and there is high intensity.
Participants must feel free to express themselves in their own mother tongue. The
facilitator can also check whether translation is required.
Over time, the group can be given more responsibility and start guiding their own
process with the facilitator moving into a more supportive role.