Topic 5:

Preparing for Facilitation

Question: I have recently been placed in a training position. I have minimal skills in facilitation but 6 years of organizational and staff development experience. While I realize this is not the ideal position for me, what advice can you give me to help prepare for the new challenge?

--No Name, Southeast USA

Answer: Your supervisor must have confidence in your ability to perform your new responsibilities and therefore be supportive in this transitional stage. You will be able to draw upon your experience in presenting before a group gained from your OD and staff development background, to help build your facilitation skills. Facilitation requires good communications and interpersonal relationship skills that you also have from previous work experiences. Can you seek advice from other staff members who are also facilitators or is there someone that can act as your mentor for a few months?

It is possible to take a short facilitation course/workshop through a local academic institution, online or through a private HR/business vendor. Read up on the topic. Go to a local bookstore (with a business section) or shop at ASTD's store for publications. If you receive T+D Magazine, review it for articles on facilitation and presentation skills. Volunteer to be a workshop/meeting facilitator for a professional or community group to which you belong. If you engage in one or more of these professional learning and development activities, you should be up to speed as a facilitator in a short period of time.

--AR