Facilitators Core Practices Analysis

Facilitators need an extensive toolset to conduct an effective meeting. Ms. Bens divides the tools into two categories: Core Practices and Process Tools.
Core Practices
The Core Practices relate to the facilitator’s manner, style and behavior. Whatever type of meeting, good facilitators are constantly using the following core practices. The first five are foundational. Let’s take a look:
1. Stay neutral on content. Focus on the process role and avoid the temptation of offering opinions about the topic under discussion. Use questions and suggestions to offer ideas that spring to mind, but never impose opinions on the group.
2. Listen actively. Look people in the eye, use attentive body language and paraphrase what they are saying. Always
Ask questions. This is your most important tool. Questions test assumptions, invite participation, gather information and probe for hidden points. Effective questioning allows you to delve past the symptoms to get at root causes.
4. Paraphrase to clarify. This involves repeating what people say to make sure they know they are being heard, and let others hear their points a second time, also to clarify key ideas. Ask “Are you saying . . .? Am I understanding you to mean . . . ?”
5. Synthesize ideas. Don’t just record individual ideas from participants. Instead, get others to comment and build on their thoughts. This ensures that ideas recorded on the flip chart represent collective thinking. This builds consensus and commitment. Ask questions like, “Alice, what would you add to Jeff’s comments?”
6. Stay on track. Set time guidelines for each discussion. Appoint a timekeeper who will use a timer and call out milestones. Point out any digression if the discussion veers off topic. “Park” all off-topic comments and suggestions on a separate “Parking Lot” sheet posted nearby, to be dealt with later.
7. Test assumptions. Bring assumptions people are operating under into the open and clarify them, so everyone clearly understands. Assumptions may even need to be challenged before a group can explore new
Give and receive feedback. Periodically hold up a “verbal mirror” such as, “Only two people are engaged in this discussion, while three others are reading. What’s this telling us we need to do?” This will help the group “see” itself, so it can make corrections. Ask for and accept feedback about the facilitation with questions such as, “Are we making progress? How’s the pace? What can I do to be more effective?”
9. Collect ideas. Keep track of emerging ideas and final decisions. Collect summaries on a flipchart or electronic board so everyone can see the concise notes. They must always reflect what the participants actually said, rather than your interpretation.
10. Summarize clearly. A great facilitator listens attentively to everything that is said, and then offers clear, accurate, concise and timely summaries. When a discussion has ground to a halt, revive it with a summary. Summarize when things are wrapping up or you want to end a discussion.
11. Label sidetracks. It’s the facilitator’s responsibility to let the group know when they’re off track. They can decide to pursue the sidetrack or stop it and get back to the agenda. Ask, “We are now discussing something that isn’t on our agenda. What does the group want to