Sometimes groups need a little help to get them moving in the right direction orr need someone to get them back on track.
Usually this is the job of the group's facilitator. (If your group does not have a designated facilitator, any member can take
advantage of these helpful tips to help get your gropu productive and working effectively as a team.)
Facilitative Methods
The following methods of facilitating can be grouped into two categories: preventions and interventions. These methods
help create a productive environment for team cooperation and collaboration.
Preventions: Actions used before or during a discussion to heep the group focused.
Interventions: Actions used during a meeting to help get the team refocused.
Preventions
- At the outset of the meeting: The facilitator asks the group to agree on the desired outcomes, agenda, roles, and
ground rules. This process reviews agreements and ensures the group understands how they will work
together. Examples: "As we begin I would like to make sure everyone knows why we are here and where we are
doing". "During last weeks meeting we agreed...."
- During the meeting: Clarify the process. Make sure everone knows what the team is doing. Example: "For the next five minutes we are going to brainstorm possible research topics".
- During the meeting: Focus on the positive. Remind the group of areas where they had agreement, steer the group away from unproductive arguments. Do not let ideas be shot down. Example: "So far we have agreed on the
problem statement, now let's brainstorm possible solutions".
Interventions
Interventions are especially useful anytime during a meeting when the group appears confused, stuck in one place or in an unproductive argument.
- Review - Take a step back and review the three strategic questions with the group. The facilitator should not answer these questions, the group should answer them.
- Where are we?
- Where do we want to go?
- How do we get there?
- Reflect - Restate a question addressed to the facilitator and address it to the group. Since the facilitator is to remain neutral,
he/she should avoid answering questions better addressed by the group. Example: "How are we going to get this all done?" Question restated to the group: " What do we still need to do? What is impeding our
progress?"
- Recognize - Make observations about what is going on in the group. If something is not working, get it out in the
open and ask the group to address the issue. Examples: "Everyone is very quiet. What does this mean?" or "You seem
frustrated. What is causing the frustration?"
- Remind - Enforce agreements made by the group. Remind the group of decisions they have made and keep them moving forward.
Example: "It sounds like we are discussing ideas instead of brainstorming. We have two minutes left to brainstorm, let's finish that first and then discuss
and clarify the ideas. Is that what we originally agreed?"
- Refocus - Make sure the team is working together on the same idea. Keep the discussion focused on the topic at hand.
Example: "Let's get back on track. We were clarifying possible solutions. Viola could you please hold on to your ideas until we
are finished with this stage?"
- Respond - Validate all ideas by responding to each one. However, all ideas may not be appropriate for the time and place during
the meeting. Deal with each individually idea by:
- Acknowledging the contribution.
- Choosing to deal with it now or defer it until later.
- Agreeing with the group member about how to move forward.
- Moving on.
Example: "Sean, it sounds like you feel strongly about the point you have raised. That issue is not on our agenda
for this meeting. Would you like me to put it on our list of items to be addressed at our next meeting? Yes? Great".
Conclusions
As the facilitator it is important to:
- remember each group member is reponsible for his/her own behavior.
- Listen actively and reflect what you have heard back to the group.
- Build on small agreements.
- Keep the group moving forward.
- Maintain a positive attitude.