Best Practices for Any Facilitator
Here, we give to you - free of charge - 8 steps or ‘best practices’ you can learn from to turn yourself into a skilled, attentive, and active facilitator.
Facilitation is an approach which guides the group through exercises where decision-making, communication and resolution is the goal. The job of the facilitator is to provide the overall structure and ask supportive questions to inspire the group to make a decision, ideate, and resolve the task at hand.
Training, on the other hand, is used when students need new knowledge and skills to perform their jobs. Safely and efficiently. The trainer must share and transfer knowledge through lectures, activities, and course material.
We’re not saying that one is better than the other. We’re just pointing out that training and facilitation support different objectives.
1. Learn Everything There Is to Know
It is vital to gain a deep understanding of and acquire vast knowledge about the subject or theme in which you are a trainer or facilitator. This enables you to effectively guide discussions and confidently answer questions from your students.
2. Two Ears – One Mouth
Always listen twice as much as you speak. When you train your skills in active listening, you will be able to pay attention to the perspectives, concerns, and ideas of the students. It is important to display an open and empathetic mind. This contributes to creating a supportive learning environment which facilitates open communication.
3. A Strong Communicator
To become a great facilitator, you must develop strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills. As a trainer, you must always provide instructions and explain concepts in a clear, concise, and articulate manner. It is crucial to create an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable participating and expressing their opinions and ideas.
4. Do Not Express Opinions!
A facilitator must always remain neutral and objective. Therefore, you should always avoid personal biases and treat all participants equally. This ensures that everyone gets value of the training and has an equal opportunity to contribute.
5. Understand Group Dynamics
Every group behaves differently, and this reflects clearly in their discussions. Consider yourself a mediator who must manage conflicts, encourage collaboration, and build common grounds. Your foremost job is to create a safe space where your students feel respected and welcome.
6. Grow an Internal Stopwatch
It is important that you plan and allocate appropriate time for different activities during the training. You must manage the time efficiently and make sure that discussions and exercises do not spin out of control. Once again, make sure that everyone can contribute with their opinions and ideas.
7. Problem-Solver & Decision-Maker
The student follows the master. Therefore, you must reflect the skills which you teach. Facilitators often encounter challenges or obstacles during the training. Your job is to encourage the group to find solutions – perhaps after you have addressed underlying issues. But do not give them the answers! They have to learn for themselves.
8. Practice Makes Perfect
Facilitation is an ongoing process. This means that you can always improve your performance. Seek feedback from the participants after each training session – and learn from your experiences. Allow yourself to become better by attending workshops, courses, or conferences which address new facilitation techniques or practices.
Active Learning: The Training Standard of the Future
Learning from the safe distance of a chair has never generated lasting results. Still, this is the preferred training approach of many airlines and ATO’s. Active Learning enables people to actively think, discuss, and create.
How to Master the Art of Facilitation
Contrary to popular belief, facilitation is not a natural talent that some individuals are gifted with. Facilitation is a skill to be learned.
Active Learning Is Crucial in Aviation
Every day, lives are at stake in our industry. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct training in a way which enhances competencies, knowledge, and skills. In this respect, Active Learning plays a crucial role.
8 Steps to Turning Your Trainer into a Facilitator
No one becomes a master facilitator overnight. But like any other skill, facilitation can be trained, improved, and refined. Here are 8 steps to live by if you wish to advance from trainer to facilitator.
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