While your goal may be solving a problem, additional benefits often include -- changed perspectives, a new appreciation for differences, improved communication, the commitment to ongoing work and enhanced relationships.
"The track we were on was overwhelming ... we have come a long way with your help."
The Facilitator serves as the process expert as opposed to a content expert, although the facilitator may also be knowledgeable in the content area. The responsibilities of a facilitator are to:
- Plan the meeting
- Set the tone and direction
- Explain the facilitator role to the group members
- Present and reach agreement on the process
- Present and reach agreement on the agenda
- Create a positive atmosphere for discussion
- Be aware of time
- Be Objective
- Contribute to the process of the meeting, not the content
- Help find meetings in differences
- Help focus the group
- Demonstrate collaborative and consensus-seeking behaviors
- Model active listening skills
- Help people do things
- Encourage the group to take ownership of decisions
- Help people find a view and articulate it
- Engage others in the process
- Help others make meaning of hopes and desires
- Articulate commonalities
- Help people respond to things that are new and things that remain the same
- Record or work with recorder of ideas, decisions, questions, etc.
- Use Preventions and interventions to keep the group on track