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First steps - What is facilitation?
- The role of a facilitator
- Groups in Action facilitators
- Concerns about starting out
- Planning your first session
- Facilitation plan template
- Contracting with the group
- Good group environments
- Observation skills
Image and body language- The importance of neutrality
- Questioning skills
- Intervention skills
- Active listening
- What makes an effective team?
- Types of behaviour
- Assertiveness skills
- Reacting to conflict
- Activity - conflict in groups
- The facilitator and change
- Overcoming problems
- Helping the group solve problems
- Decision making
- Facilitating a group review
- Getting the group to review you!
Image and Body Language
Putting the 'right' message across is essential. It is not just what you say that is important it is facial expressions and the 'language' or signals that your body projects that provides essential information for the observer.
However assertively a person may be behaving, the impression they give can be diluted by a mismatch in body language or image.
How others perceive you is important
If you want to appear authoritative and in command; or if you want to appear friendly and relaxed; whatever role you are taking, the way you stand, the way you dress and the way you speak will either support or contradict the message you are putting across.
In addition to a person's appearance, their gestures and the way they move their bodies are also important contributors to the image they present.
Activity - group discussion:
You have been asked to facilitate the following groups:
- (a) a group of council managers
- (b) a group of volunteer community workers
- (c) a committee of church volunteer meeting to discuss youth activities and drama events for their parish
You need to make the right impression. When you first meet each group:
- What should you say?
- What should you do?
- What should you wear?
- Why is this important?
Record your views for your Personal Development folder, and for your role as a facilitator.