- Facilitation -- Facilitation -

Prepared By:Prepared By:

Jason ErnstJason Ernst

The Pennsylvania State UniversityThe Pennsylvania State University

- Facilitation -- Facilitation -

Overview:Overview:- Facilitation DefinedFacilitation Defined- Six Dimensions Six Dimensions - GuidelinesGuidelines- Why it WorksWhy it Works- 3M Example3M Example

- Facilitation -- Facilitation -

Facilitation is a learning process in which a Facilitation is a learning process in which a leader, called a facilitator, guides a group or leader, called a facilitator, guides a group or

individual towards a goal destination.individual towards a goal destination.

What is Facilitation ?What is Facilitation ?

- Uses of Facilitation -- Uses of Facilitation -

- Group Training

-Group Problem Solving

-Team unity

- Collective Decision Making

- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -

1. Planning1. Planning 2. Meaning2. Meaning

3. Confronting3. Confronting

4. Feeling4. Feeling

5. Structuring5. Structuring

6. Valuing6. Valuing

- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -

1. Planning

What is our goal ?

How do we accomplish our goal ?

- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -

2. MeaningAssigning specific meaning to the group members’ experiences and actions.

- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -

3. Confronting

Making certain that groups confront tough issues and problems that need dealt with.

- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -

4. Feeling

To manage the overall feeling within the group.

- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -

5. StructuringHow to structure the learning experience for a particular individual or group.

- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -- Six Dimensions of Facilitation -

6. Valuing

Maintaining the personal integrity and values of group members.

Facilitation GuidelinesFacilitation Guidelines

There is a particular chemistry that will make a group work well together.

The following are some general guidelines that will apply to most groups.

Facilitation GuidelinesFacilitation Guidelines

Encourage the following:• Sharing Ideas

• Full participation

• Extracting the gold

• Trust

• Inclusion of all

• Fun, joy and self-expression

Facilitation GuidelinesFacilitation Guidelines

Avoid the following:

• Pretending distress will go away

• Distress projected onto others

• Discussion that doesn’t go anywhere

• Domination by a few

• Withholding

How Facilitation Works…How Facilitation Works…

“ The facilitator knows how to guide a group of people through cooperative processes, including collective decision-making, so that the group can fulfill its purpose as easily as possible.” (Hunter, 5)

How Facilitation Works…How Facilitation Works…

Facilitation creates group “synergy.”

Real World ExampleReal World Example

Better meetings:  Dozens of articles & tips on how to run effective meetings - from the basics to advanced facilitation skills.

http://www.3m.com/meetingnetwork/index.html

Real World ExampleReal World Example

Featured Articles:

A Magical Tool for Group Decisions

By: Christopher M. Avery, Ph. D.

Partnerwerks, Inc.

http://www.3m.com/meetingnetwork/articles_advice/christopher/01-02.html

Hypothetical ExerciseHypothetical Exercise

Your company wants you to facilitate a group meeting where a course of action must be decided on four different issues.

What basic methods do you use to facilitate the meeting and reach decisions on the issues ?

Hypothetical ExerciseHypothetical Exercise

Answer to exercise:

Encourage: Sharing Ideas, Full participation, Extracting the gold, Trust, Inclusion of all, Fun, joy and self-expression

Avoid: Pretending distress will go away, Distress projected onto others, Discussion that doesn’t go anywhere, Domination by a few, and Withholding

- Facilitation Summary-- Facilitation Summary-

It is virtually impossible to measure the intangible benefits that group synergy through facilitation can have for your company.

Works CitedWorks CitedAvery, Christopher M. “A Magical Tool for Group Decisions.” Internet. http://www.3m.com/meetingnetwork/articles_advice/christopher/01-02.html 18 February 2001.

“Diversity Roundtable” Internet. http://community.webshots.com/photo/5250780/5253718YaldEqXQav

12 February 2001.

“Diversity Roundtable” Internet. http://community.webshots.com/photo/5250780/5253716uolBbJbucN

12 February 2001.

“Diversity Roundtable” Internet. http://community.webshots.com/photo/5250780/5253720XuepcvPWcN

12 February 2001

“Diversity Roundtable” Internet. http://community.webshots.com/photo/5276885/5277579xjRXzWrGdc

12 February 2001

“Diversity Roundtable” Internet. http://community.webshots.com/photo/5276885/5277581taUATFQPby

12 February 2001

Heron, John. The Facilitators’ Handbook. New York: Kogan Page, 1989.

Hunter, Dale and Bailey Anne, and Taylor, Bill. The Art of Facilitation. Tucson: Fisher Books, 1995.