Introduction to Facilitation Skills

Introduction to Facilitation Skills - Overview

Inevitably, in any organisation occasions arise where the method by which consensus can be achieved is not always obvious. Also, there will be occasions when it is critical to gain the buy-in of key people to a plan of action. Facilitation is increasingly becoming a required skill of the modern manager who wishes to generate consensus within his team and professionals in support roles who do not have executive authority and need to use facilitation as a means to engage, enroll and enthuse people to adopt a change in working practices.

The course is delivered in true action learning fashion where the participants spend time facilitating each other to discover and practice the skills. Feedback from both the tutor and fellow participants will ensure the participants derive the greatest value.

The objective of this course is to introduce the delegates to the fundamentals of facilitation and is suitable for anyone who wishes to arm themselves with this essential business skill.

Typical participants include managers, supervisors, HR professionals and other professionals who support the line e.g. quality, business development and IT

This Introduction to Facilitation Skills course is available throughout the UK.

CPD Value 5.5 Hours

Course Locations

Introduction to Facilitation Skills London
Introduction to Facilitation Skills Manchester
Introduction to Facilitation Skills Nottingham
Introduction to Facilitation Skills Birmingham
Introduction to Facilitation Skills Bristol
Introduction to Facilitation Skills Edinburgh
Introduction to Facilitation Skills Leeds

Introduction to Facilitation Skills - Timetable

09:30 - 10:00 Coffee & Course Objectives

10:00 - 11:15 Understanding Facilitation - a detailed examination of the role, qualities and skills of an accomplished facilitator. A breakdown of the 3 fundamentals of facilitation: task, process and people.

11:15 - 11:30 Break

11:30 - 12:45 The Facilitators Toolkit (Part 1)

A route map for creating a facilitated event including defining the P.O.P. Purpose, Process and anticipated Outcomes.

Writing a compelling design and advert for the event that appeals to the participants to and invites their participation and contribution.

12:45 - 13:15 Lunch

13:15 - 15:30 The Facilitators Toolkit (Part 2)

Brainstorming the right way

Introduction to three brainstorming techniques proven to deliver consensus, energy and high quality outcomes

Designing a facilitated event i.e. a journey that the facilitator will lead the participants through to generate consensus and action

15.30 - 15:45 Break

15:45 Generating commitment and ensuring the momentum caused by a successful event is translated into further action

16:00 - 16:20 Preparing a personal action plan. Each participant creates a list of actions to apply the principles taught on the course to their own situation. Attention is paid to preparing and planning an event which the participant will deliver back at work.

16:20 : 16:30 Course review and close

16:30 Close

Introduction to Facilitation Skills - Benefits

• Understanding of what a facilitator does and crucially what they dont do
• The use of the .P.O.P. process to design an event that will lead a group through to a successful outcome
  
  • Purpose - Why are we conducting the event
  • Outcome - The overt and covert outcomes we wish to achieve
  • Process - The series of planned activities required to deliver the outcomes
• Handling group dynamics and deal with challenges, resistance and disruption
• The 3 skills of any accomplished facilitator
  
  • Choosing appropriate activities to engage the participants
  • Leading and managing the group
  • Maintaining pace, energy and momentum
• Learning to brainstorm the right way - 3 of the most efficient ways to generate ideas, consensus and conclusions
• The Facilitators route map - a step-by-step guide for setting up, marketing, designing and conducting a dynamic event