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thiagi.com Freebies Articles and Handouts Secrets of Successful Facilitators
We spent the past 10 years in some futile field research. We interviewed and observed several facilitators and the groups they facilitated in an attempt to identify the secrets of effective facilitation. These facilitators were selected on the basis of high ratings by their peers and participants for a positive process and productive results. Initial data from our observations and interviews were disappointing and confusing. We did not find consistent, common behaviors among these effective facilitators. Further, even the same facilitator appeared to use different behaviors with different groups, even when conducting the same small-group activity. The same facilitator sometimes used different behaviors with the same group within the same activity at different times. As we collected and classified more data and reflected on the patterns, we realized the real secret of effective facilitators was buried within the apparent inconsistency. We re-examined the data and came up with these five conclusions:
To capture the flexibility demonstrated by effective facilitators, we need to understand the tensions on which this flexibility is based. Our analysis suggests six critical tensions within any small-group activity that can be powerful in enhancing or destroying its effectiveness. These tensions are identified in the following behaviorally-anchored rating scales:
When a newcomer to group facilitation asks me, "Should I keep the small-group activity moving at a fast pace or a slow one?" I usually answer, "Yes." The appropriate location of an activity along the six tensions depends on several factors, including the number and type of participants and the structure and purpose of the activity.
The secret of effective facilitation is to make these tensions transparent. This is achieved by maintaining a balance between the two poles of each tension. Unfortunately, however, "balance" resides in the perception of the participants rather than in outside reality. Thus, the balance between cooperation and competition may differ drastically between a group from California and a group from New York, or between a group of top managers and a group of technicians from the same organization.
The first step in making the tensions transparent is to avoid the extremes (positions 1 and 5 in the rating scale). Beyond that, you may use a variety of tactics to increase or decrease the elements in each tension. Here are a couple of sample tactics for each element:
Begin with a detailed explanation of the rules of the activity. Stress the importance of adhering to these rules. Provide a printed copy of the rules to each participant. Frequently refer to these rules.
Acknowledge that the participants will be initially confused. Reassure them it is not absolutely necessary to stick to the rules. Don't present all the rules in the beginning. Introduce the rules only if and when they are required.
Begin the activity promptly and get it rolling fast. Announce and implement intermediate time limits.
Announce and implement minimum time requirements. If a participant or a team finishes the task before this time is up, insist on review and revision. Introduce a quality-control rule that punishes participants and teams for turning in sloppy ideas or products.
Use a scoring system to reward effective performance. Periodically announce and compare the scores of different individuals or teams. Reward the winning team with a valuable prize.
Reduce the conflict among the participants and increase the conflict between the participants and external constraints (for example, time limits). Use multiple criteria for determining the winners: Reward individuals or teams for speed, quality, efficiency, fluency, creativity, novelty, and other such factors.
Make the procedure more enjoyable by introducing game elements such as bonus scores and chance. From time to time, stop the procedure and undertake a process check. Let the participants suggest changes for making the procedure more interesting.
Use a scoring system to reward efficient performance by individuals or teams. Stop the procedure and discuss the desired results. Have the participants commit themselves to getting the job done.
If participants are at different levels of skill or knowledge, organize them into teams of approximately equal strength. Encourage timid people to participate more by providing them with additional information and responsibilities.
Identify dominant participants and give them additional roles (for example, keeping score or taking notes) to channel their excess energy. Have the team conduct periodic process checks to make sure everyone's needs are met.
Turn the lights off to get everyone's attention before making important announcements. Use confederates among the participants and in different teams to ensure external command and control.
Explain your role as that of a facilitator rather than those of a leader or an expert. When participants ask you a procedural question (for example, "What should we do next?"), refer it back to the group with a question such as "What would you like to do next?"
The tactics listed above for maintaining a balance among the six tensions in a small-group activity are for illustrative purposes only. Brainstorming additional tactics of this nature may actually be an excellent topic for an initial activity.
Knowing these tactics does not guarantee you will become a effective facilitator. You need to know when and how to use them. Here's a six-step procedural model for using the tension-adjustment tactics before, during, and after a small-group activity.
Flexible facilitation does not mean that you should not have personal preferences, but you should be aware of these preferences and keep them under control. For example, I prefer a fairly loose structure, fast pace, cooperative interaction, results focus, individual concern, and external control. It is important to be aware of your biases and to realize they may not meet the needs of the group.
The best way to discover your biases is to recall your own small-group experiences in which you felt very positive or very negative and to analyze the factors that contributed to those feelings. You may also talk to your colleagues and participants for their opinions about your biases. Once you are aware of them, remind yourself to relegate them to the background whenever necessary.
Before planning a small-group activity, you need to collect information on the likely preferences of your participants along each of the six tension areas. The best source of information is a representative sample from the group. The best strategy for collecting the information is to interview the participants using the behavioral scale presented earlier.
To cross-check your information you may wish to talk to other facilitators, consultants, and trainers who are familiar with the group.
Whether you are designing a new simulation game or using an existing one, integrate your understanding of the participants' preferences into the activity. Carefully work through the steps and rules of the activity to decide where they appear to be located along each tension. For example, if there are several complex rules that are rigid, the activity will be perceived to be too tight by most participants--unless their preference is for a high degree of structure.
When you identify tension areas at one extreme or another, use appropriate tactics to make suitable adjustments. During this step, you may want to work with a few members of your participant group and with a few knowledgeable colleagues to ensure that your design adjustments are appropriate.
With the appropriate initial adjustments, you should start the activity with confidence. Do not worry about making additional adjustments at this stage. Present an overview of the process and the desired products to get the group started.
As your participants work through the activity, continuously monitor the levels of various tensions. If the six tensions are at optimum levels, do not interfere with the flow of the activity. However, there is no such thing as a perfect small-group activity, and some tensions are likely to become prominent from time to time. Wait a little while to see if the group makes its own adjustments. Most groups, especially experienced ones, work out their own system of reducing the tensions. With inexperienced groups, you may need to intervene with appropriate adjustments. Do this as quickly and as unobtrusively as possible. Continue monitoring the group and adjusting the simulation game as required.
Even after the activity is completed, you still have a critical step to undertake. Conduct a debriefing session with all participants immediately, and with a few selected participants later, to collect information on their perceptions of different tension levels. This can be done in a few minutes by asking the participants questions based on the rating scale such as, "When did you feel the activity was too tightly structured?" or "When did you feel the facilitator interrupted you too often?" Take notes on the participants' responses and use them to balance the same activity with future groups or activities with the same group.
The effectiveness of small-group activities depends heavily on the flexibility of the facilitator. Whether you are a newcomer or an old-timer, you can improve your effectiveness by attending to and adjusting structure, pace, interaction, focus, concern, and control of your small-group activity.
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by Thiagi, Inc. All rights reserved
URL: http://www.thiagi.com/article-secrets.html
Revised: October 1, 1999