Fac Fundas
Ganesh Dalvi, CPF I M
Senior Director Learning Strategy & OD @ F.O.L.K.S. School Of Facilitation and Learning
Group Process Facilitation is all about keeping it simple. Yet, it is often construed as being complicated. The problem is, we make it complicated by focusing more on activities, tools etc rather than the fundamentals on which group process facilitation stands. I often read people seeking activities, games, processes for their activities. Either they are unaware of these fundamentals or they think it is no relevant for them to practice these.
In this quick write up, I have shared some quick fundas which I practice & have worked for me.
Clarity on session outcomes:
Lot of times, the participants are clueless as to why they are in the session. Most commonly answer is, my manager ordered me to come !
A step ahead is when there is huge gap between what the client is expecting from the session & what the facilitator assumes.
Something that I have always done is getting all the stakeholders on the same page by calling out/communicating outcomes of the session. Why is everyone here? I put these up in my approach notes, share it during my session by putting it up on flip charts & also directing the attention of the group by getting them near the chart & reading it out.
Well defined Roadmap:
Participants at times come with really high hopes that they will get to sit behind, open their laptops & work while the trainer is sweating it out in the front running slide after slide. At times they expect lot of running around activities & get disappointed if there are processes that are more conversational. ufff… couldn’t use my smart watch ! Many a times groups come in expecting the trainer to open his/her ‘gyaan bhandar’ & share wisdom of ages but alas ! the group process facilitator is simply sitting behind apparently doing nothing while they are toiling & harvesting all the learnings.
Sharing the roadmap with the group, stage by stage is another fundamental of group process facilitation that really works. Letting the group know what’s going to happen, what will be their role & what is my role has helped me in running workshops effectively.
Regular Course corrections:
Group process facilitation is fluid. There are strong chances that the session might go astray at times intentionally & harmlessly. conversations might be too fast or too slow, some emergent needs might not be addressed… lots of reasons. Ensuring that the group is with you & going in the direction of the desired outcomes helps. This can be done by addressing the group & also individually to the participants (if the group is small).
Crisp & clear instructions:
Last but definitely not the least on the fundamentals list is the way instructions are shared for a process. Factor in understanding levels, perceptions, preconceived notions while giving instructions. Also the fact that everyone might be able to remember everything. Good idea is breaking the instructions into small bites & giving them in instalments than all at once. I also write down the instructions on charts & put it up for the group to revisit.
Well, these are some fundamentals of facilitation… Fac Fundas !
Happy Learning!
Ganesh Dalvi CPF
Capability Development consultant - Sales training , soft skills , behavioral facilitation. Leadership & Management training. OD interventions. Professional Speaker . IAF Member . ISTD ian. PSAI member.
1y( Participants at times come with really high hopes that they will get to sit behind, open their laptops & work while the trainer is sweating it out in the front running slide after slide.) Ha ha 😁 , I came across such specimen samples in some of my past sessions too . In one session for middle managers, they were shocked that they have TO DO something in the session and that, they have a role in it !! They thought I will be doing ' all the blah blah blah ' while they open laptop and can check social media updates ! I don't blame them. I blame the past sessions they attended which made them passive and distracted. At the end of it, they enjoyed. Learned.