Facilitator

THE ROLE OF THE FACILITATOR

What is a Meeting Facilitator? The “facilitator” is a guide or “discussion leader” for the group. The process of facilitation is a way of providing leadership without taking the reigns. A facilitator’s job is to get others to assume responsibility and take the lead. Some common definitions include: “A person who is acceptable to all group members, substantivelyneutral, and has no decision-making authority who helps a group improve the way it identifies and solves problems and makes decisions.”

- adapted from Roger M. Schwarz
“One who contributes structure and process to interactions so groups are able to function effectively and make high-quality decisions. A helper and enabler whose goal is to support others as they achieve exceptional performance.”- Ingrid Bens
What Does a Meeting Facilitator Focus On? A facilitative leader focuses on both content and process. They are the “content and process leader.” Content = What tasks, subjects, problems are being addressed Process = How things are discussed, including: Methods Procedures Format Tools Style of interaction Group norms Group dynamics Group climate

The Two Types of Facilitator RolesProcess Facilitator How The methods and procedures How relations are maintained The tools being used The rules or norms set The group dynamics The climate The The The The The The Content Facilitator What subjects for discussion task problem being solved decisions being made agenda items goals

The Content Facilitator as “Facilitative Leader” The type of leader innovative organizations need isone who works from a set of core values consistent with the concepts of empowerment, commitment, collaboration, learning and partnership. This type of facilitator use core values and principles that underlie the role of facilitator and provide a foundation for becoming a “facilitative leader.” A process facilitator and a facilitative leader use the same core values and principles, but apply them indifferent ways consistent with their roles. Many facilitative leaders are in fact people leading implementation teams or directing and managing their own business units. Hence, the have more authority to make decisions for their group while serving as facilitator during meetings or planning sessions. Differences between Facilitators and Facilitative Leaders

Characteristics Group MembershipInvolvement in substantive issues Use of expertise Decision making authority

Facilitator (Process) Third Party Substantively neutral Process expert No

Facilitative Leaders (Content) Leader of group Deeply involved in issues Content and process expert Yes

Core Values of Facilitation Applied to Leadership Valid Information Facilitative leaders share all relevant information with group members(e.g., about strategy, financing, and salaries). Facilitative leaders share the reasons for their actions and statements. They encourage other to disagree with them. Ultimately all issues are open to discussion. Free and Informed Choice Facilitative leaders understand that while external controls generate compliance, internal controls generate commitment. Consequently, they seek to increase theextent to which group members make their own choices about their work. Internal Commitment This is a neutral result of valid information and free and informed choice. Serving Everyone’s Interests and Thinking Systematically Facilitative leaders help other to focus on the interests of all stakeholders when crafting solutions. They understand that to remain effective, groups must maintain theirability to work together and meet members’ personal needs (as appropriate), as well as deliver quality services or products. They shift from focusing on placing blame to focusing on understanding how problems arise and how they continue despite the sincere efforts of many people to solve them. Increasing Responsibility and Ownership and Reducing Dependence The facilitative leader seeks to do for the...