Best and Worst Facilitator Practices

Some of the best things that a facilitator can do:

• carefully assess the needs of the members
• probe sensitively into people’s feelings
• create an open and trusting atmosphere
• help people understand why they’re there
• view self as serving the group’s needs
• make members the center of attention
• speak in simple and direct language
• work hard to stay neutral
• display energy and appropriate levels of assertiveness
• champion ideas he or she does not personally favor
• treat all participants as equals
• stay flexible and ready to change direction if necessary
• listen intently to fully understand what’s being said
• make notes that reflect what participants mean
• periodically summarize related ideas into a coherent summary
• know how to use a wide range of process tools