How to Be a Better Facilitator

Last Updated: September 9, 2020 Approved

A “facilitator” is someone who acts as a 'lubricant' by helping a team with issues such as communications or problem solving but, typically, does not contribute to the actual content or management of a team's project (which is a team leader's function). Effective facilitation can help your organization maximize its resources by getting the most from the people who work with you. While there are a number of seminars, trainings and workshops to learn how to effectively facilitate or become certified as a facilitator, if you do not have the resources to hire a facilitator or become one, here are some tips to help get you started. Following are some tips for effective facilitation.

Steps

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Establish a comfortable learning environment.^{[1]
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Establish ground rules to encourage positive group interaction. Start with a few of your own and ask the group to for any others they would like to include. Some examples of ground rules:^{[2]
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- Confidentiality. What is said in this room, stays in this room
- Speak from your experience. Use “I” instead of “you” or “we”
- There are no right or wrong answers. Our responses are based on our unique experience
- Practice respect for myself and others
- Listen actively. Respect others when they are talking.
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Keep the focus of the conversation on the situation or issue.
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Maintain the confidence and esteem of all participants.
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Listen actively.
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Use humor when appropriate.
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Control distractions, including distracting participants.
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Develop participation.
- As a facilitator, your talk time should be less than 40%
- Ask open-ended questions
- Be comfortable with silence – it may be a time of thought. Wait a full 10 seconds after asking a question.
- Address people by name.
- Use your personal experience as an example when appropriate.

Warnings

Stay relaxed and un-defensive.

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Manage over-participation.

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Handle aggressive behavior.

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Avoid asking closed-ended questions.

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Allow the other person to “save face”. Acknowledge the value of the person’s concerns.

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Acknowledge that you hear and understand by paraphrasing.

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Refer to the ground rules.

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To get the group back on topic, ask participants to link the conversation to the issue you are discussing.

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