Facilitation Skills for Managers

Overview

Course duration: 1 day.

Facilitators help others to maximise their contribution in groups and teams by creating a supportive and outcome focused environment.  You will learn to use a range of tools and techniques to generate enthusiasm for effective results.  

Facilitation has become an increasingly important part of the manager’s role. This one day course will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and a variety of techniques used by effective facilitators.

Is it right for me?

This course is suitable for managers and professionals from all sectors who facilitate groups or teams and are enthusiastic to develop their potential to achieve successful team/group outcomes.

What will I learn?

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Define 'Facilitation'.
• Identify the role, responsibilities, skills and qualities of an effective facilitator.
• Assess your current skills against a range of facilitation styles.
• Enable effective group processes through gathering key information and making interventions.
• Achieve consensus and understand your own impact on the group.
• Maintain energy and participation in a group.
• Recognise and deal with conflict and differences within a group.

What will it cover?

Defining the Characteristics of Effective Facilitation

• Define facilitation - the purpose and process of facilitation
• The benefits of facilitation to others and to the business
• Establish the role of the facilitator
• The skills and qualities of an effective facilitator

How to Structure a Facilitated Session

• The stages of effective facilitation
• Clarifying outcomes with the group
• Assigning and understanding roles and responsibilities within the group
• Tracking progress made by the group and individuals
• Keeping control of time and action points

Communication Skills for Facilitators

• Listen and question - to pick up clues and signs from the group
• Facilitation skills to keep the group engaged
• Motivate and sustain the group
• Assertively control the group to keep focus on the outcomes
• Recognise when decisions need to be taken

The Dynamics of the Group

• Learn how to observe and understand group behaviour
• Identify participants needs and expectations
• Ensure engagement of all
• Guide the group to solutions and decisions

Managing Conflict

• Differentiate between constructive and destructive criticism
• Adopt positive techniques for handling conflict
• Techniques for dealing with difficult people and groups

Testimonial

Tom Williamson, Risk Analyst

Royal Mail

A well run course with very relevant and useful content which has already had a positive effect on my contribution to the team.