Objectives

At the end of this training seminar, you will learn to:

• Understand the facilitator role and basic principles of group processes
• Plan and structure an effective small group session, paying attention to helpful structures and interventions before, during and after a group event
• Use a variety of methods to direct and guide groups
• Identify and flex your facilitation style with self-awareness, authority and presence
• Develop strategies for managing dynamics in diverse cross cultural and inter-generational groups
• Accurately and skilfully capture and summarise information

Outline

Fundamentals of Facilitation

• What is Facilitation
• Four Guiding Principles for Facilitators
• Dimensions and modes
• The facilitator and the experiential group
• The six dimensions of facilitation
• Facilitator style
• Changing Role of the Facilitator

The Group Dynamic

• The Psychology of the Group
• Understanding Group Dynamics
• Positive and negative forms of group dynamics
• Psychological defensiveness
• The role of the Facilitator
• Group dynamic theory
• Avoiding Group-think - avoiding fatal flaws in group decision-making

Using the “World Café” Technique

• An introduction to the World Café methods
• The advantages and disadvantages of the method
• What are World Café Conversations?
• World Café Guidelines and design principles
• Café Etiquette
• Five Ways to Make Collective Knowledge Visible
• Collective Creativity

The Dynamics of Facilitation & Cultural Issues in facilitation

• Planning, hierarchical, co-operative and autonomous
• The meaning dimension
• The process of confrontation
• Feelings and emotional dimensions
• Planning and structuring exercises
• Cultural issues in Facilitation
• Understanding and appreciating cultural differences

Key Competencies and Tools of Facilitation

• Values of facilitation
• The importance of management commitment
• The roles of team member, project manager, project sponsor, facilitator and documenter
• Planning, preparing, conducting and following up a facilitated session
• How to identify and manage risks associated with using facilitated sessions
• Dealing with ‘Difficult’ People
• Techniques for small group work

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