Professional Skills in Facilitation, Fast-track

When people gather in a meeting room or a training session, they bring with them a variety of perspectives, motivation levels, behavioral styles, and intentions and goals. In most groups, interaction among the members of the group is chaotic, unstructured, masked by political undertones, and characterized by cultural diversity. The process of getting the group to interact and reach the desired outcome requires a structured approach that draws upon the wisdom of the group.

During a training session, this means engaging the participants, providing a safe environment for them to express concerns and dilemmas, and delivering training in a manner that is appropriate to every learner.

The effectiveness of any training program can be enhanced by engaging a trainer with good facilitation skills.

The primary objective of a facilitator is to lead a group of people in a variety of activities, such as learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution. The facilitator should be capable of leading the group without being directly involved by encouraging participation and creativity on the part of the participants. Unfortunately, facilitation is not an easy task, and you must possess the necessary skills, tools, and techniques to accomplish it effectively.