The heart of facilitation is this ability to utilize process tools within the context of dynamic forces and the complexity of group conversation. While you can plan well in advance for collaborative events, sometimes that slick process tool you had all ready to go will be now be out of place. Even if you planned correctly, the process has to be explained, managed, and closed in a skillful way.
The Guide Competencies
- Distinguish process from task and content
- Employ the appropriate process tools given the task, culture and individuals in the group
- Assure the group understands what process it is using and why appropriate
- Effectively facilitate selected processes to reach the stated goal or task
Practice
Employ the appropriate process tools given the task, culture, and individuals in the group….
Clarify your understanding of the end result with a meeting leader or convener. On the day of the event, it’s important to have a word with the convener about what to expect from the processes on the agenda. For a variety of reasons, things may have changed or key people missing. If you need to make changes, such as pulling items from the agenda because material is not ready to be shared, you can do so before heading down a perilous path during the meeting.
Assure the group understands what process it is using and why appropriate. Process work is not easy for the majority of participants. Detailed instructions are critical for the group to do its work in an effective way. It can be confusing to go off into small groups without clear instructions and expectations. Spend sufficient time making sure people understand what they are to do during the process when they are expected to finish, and what they are expected to deliver.
Checking or reading the group for how well the process matches their needs.
Effectively facilitate selected processes to reach the stated goal or task. ..Ensuring results are going to be followed up with action by attendees.
Integral Facilitator’s Primer & Self-Assessment. Complete this assessment to determine your level of competency for each of these archetypes, then consider the questions that follow to help you craft a development plan to enhance your skills.
Take the Journey of Facilitation and Collaboration
This model is taught in an applied format during our Journey of Facilitation and Collaboration Workshop, a five-day experiential event offered regularly at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and sometimes at other locations throughout the country based on interest and by invitation.
