John Bennett/ November 7, 2018/ Facilitation, Services

A facilitator is a skilled professional who is engaged to work with a leader to help a team or group accomplish a task—e.g., solve a problem, build team effectiveness, resolve a conflict, or develop a plan. The following tips will help you get the most from your engagement with a facilitator and achieve your goals.

  1. Desire Outcomes
  • Communicate your desire outcomes for the meeting or event
  1. Context
  • Share the agenda for the meeting (beyond the portions the facilitator will be involved in)
  • Help the facilitator understand how this meeting and the portions(s) of the meeting they will be facilitating align with larger priorities 
  • Help the facilitator understand the organizational and industry context that may impact the meeting
  1. Prior Work of the Group
  • Provide as much information about the previous work of the group
  • Share positive and negative experiences that may impact the work of the group and their work with a facilitator
  1. Relevant Information about Participants
  • Provide the facilitator with the names, titles and other relevant information about participants
  • Share insights about VIPs as well as those who might need extra attention
  1. Existing Norms
  • Share any written and unwritten norms for the group
  • Share traditions and unique behaviors of the group
  1. Introduce the Facilitator
  • Introduce the facilitator to the group prior to the meeting and at the meeting
  • Help establish the credibility of the facilitator with the group
  1. Pre-work
  • Make sure pre-work is distributed in a timely manner to allow participants to complete it prior to the session
  • Make sure participants understand the expectations to complete the pre-work in a timely manner
  1. Supplies and Equipment
  • Make sure the room and equipment are arranged as requested by the facilitator
  • Make sure supplies are available 
  • Arrange for the facilitator to have access to the room at least 30 minutes prior to the session
  1. Onsite Support
  • Make sure someone is available to greet the facilitator and direct them to the meeting venue
  • Make sure audio-visual and facilities support staff are accessible to the facilitator before, during and after the session
  1. Travel Arrangements
  • Make sure the facilitator knows the location of the facility where the meeting will be held
  • Provide the facilitator with hotel, airline, and ground transportation (as required) information

© 2018, John L. Bennett. All Rights Reserved.

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