Facilitation Skills

Anyone who may be required to help a group achieve its objectives through meetings, trainings, ideas generation or problem solving sessions. By the end of the training course you will be able to: . Understand the difference between a facilitative and direct approach . Master building rapport with individuals and groups . Learn practical techniques to increase your active listening skills . Construct questions that stretch and challenge . Read group dynamics and learn how to handle tricky people . Assist others in reaching a collaborative decision . Feel confident facilitating groups and achieving desired outcomes

Setting the Scene

• What do we mean by facilitation?
• When is it appropriate to adopt a facilitative approach and what are the benefits to expect?
• What can sometimes stop us from succeeding and how can we overcome it?

Mindset

• How do I maintain a calm, balanced and confident state when facilitating?
• What are useful beliefs to have about myself and the group?

Skills

• How do I build rapport with individuals and the group?
• What can I do to ensure that I'm listening at the right level and processing the most relevant information?
• How will I know what questions to ask to get the information that I feel is needed?
• What do I do when the discussion goes off track and starts to lose its value?
• How do I handle challenging individuals within the group?
• What practical tactics can help me to encourage a collaborative dynamic?

Practice

• How do I perform when facilitating a group?

An opportunity to test out new skills and receive constructive feedback from the group and facilitator.

Action

• How will I apply what I have learnt from today?