Facilitation
What is Facilitation?
Facilitation concerns itself with all the tasks needed to run a productive and impartial meeting. Facilitation serves the needs of any group who are meeting with a common purpose, whether it be making a decision, solving a problem, or simply exchanging ideas and information. It does not lead the group, nor does it try to distract or to entertain.A facilitator is someone who helps a group of people understand their common objectives and assists them to plan to achieve them without taking a particular position in the discussion. The facilitator will try to assist the group in achieving a concensus on any disagreements that preexist or emerge in the meeting so that it has a strong basis for future action.
Why Facilitation?
There are a number of benefits to organizations of using an independent facilitator.These benefits include:
- A clear objective for the meeting
- Managing the group process
- Encouraging participation from all attendees
- Helping participants to understand different points of view
- Faster solutions that incorporate diverse points of view
- Shorter more focused meetings
- Creation of an environment that allows for greater energy, enthusiasm and passion
- More creative and innovative solutions