24 Timeless Tactics to Enhance Your Facilitation Results (Facilitation Friday #14)
Little things can make a big difference.
In no particular order, here are 24 quick tips or reminders for better facilitation, simple easy-to-do actions for your next in-person or virtual meeting or workshop.
Add them to your own running list of practical reminders (you do keep one, don’t you) and pass on to others who might benefit from doing the same.
Have someone else scribe while you facilitate. You can’t manage the conversation if you’re focused on the flipchart or whiteboard.
When facilitating virtual sessions, have a list of participants to track verbal contributions. Place a check mark next to people’s names when they speak.
Ensure everyone understands both the purpose and the desired end results for any meeting. Ask one or more people to articulate them.
Intentionally use/shift your position in the room during in-person gatherings to shift participants’ focus and attention as you facilitate.
Blank out the projector screen when the slides aren’t necessary.
“B” key on your laptop; separate button on some remotes.Have one person manage the tech for virtual sessions.
Offer activity instructions both in writing and verbally to increase understanding, retention, and application.
For long programs/sessions, periodically mix up the groups to help people expand their connections.
Invite people you haven’t yet heard from to speak first. “I’d love to hear from folks who haven’t yet shared today.”
On major decisions, ask everyone to weigh in: “Let’s go around and hear from everyone on this question.”
Have more than one format option for different agenda items so you can shift gears/choose different approaches as needed.
Periodically summarize progress. “Here’s what you’ve decided so far.” “Here’s where I think we are at.” Visually record major decisions or actions as lasting reminders.
Enhance readability by alternating marker colors when writing on flipcharts.
Always have Post-Its, index cards, good markers, and painter’s tape ready.
With disagreements, help the group identify what commitment they can all support. “What can you all agree on right now so you can get in action?”
Allow time for those more introverted to think a bit before asking them to extrovert. (i.e., in a brainstorming session).
When many people want to speak, make a list of them (flipchart or whiteboard) and work through it. This helps people focus on listening rather than getting a turn to speak.
Ask questions of the group more than make declarations to the group. “Do we need to move on?” is different than “Let’s move on.”
Ensure everyone understand key terms and acronyms; i.e., strategy, mission, vision, ROI (return on investment).
Involve the group in assessing its own efforts against norms it established.
“How are we doing so far?”When seeking concrete ideas to broad or vague questions, give an example of what you want people to share so they don’t struggle to contribute.
Provide something for people to do informally during breaks: leave out a puzzle, provide a resource display, post a few compelling questions for them to answer, et al. Conversations and connections will result.Find this post helpful? Support my work and
When appropriate, close sessions by reviewing what will happen next to help manage people’s expectations and understanding.
When breaking into small groups, display a countdown clock to let them know how much time remains for their work.
Getting in Action
Here are a few ways to use these tips when teaching facilitation or discussing it with others:
Provide this list to small groups to review. Ask them to select the 2-3 tips they find most useful and/or ask them to add a few of their own to the list.
Print the tips on cardstock, give one card to each participant, invite them to mix and mingle and swap tips.
Print the tips on cardstock and place one card/tip at each person’s seat. Ask participants to share their tip (and react to it/comment on it) as they introduce themselves.
© Facilitate Better and Jeffrey Cufaude. All rights reserved.
To affordably license this content for reprint on your site or in electronic or print communications or to contact me regarding customized facilitation skills workshops or consultations, complete this form.