The document outlines the core competencies for certified professional facilitators as defined by the International Association of Facilitators (IAF). It describes six main competency areas that effective facilitators must demonstrate: creating collaborative client relationships; planning appropriate group processes; creating and sustaining a participatory environment; guiding groups to appropriate outcomes; building and maintaining professional knowledge; and modeling a positive professional attitude. The competencies were developed by IAF over several years with input from facilitators worldwide and represent the basic skills and behaviors needed to successfully facilitate a wide variety of groups.
2. Core Facilitator Competencies
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ƒ Predefine a quality product & outcomes with client
3) Manage multi-session events effectively
ƒ Contract with client for scope and deliverables
ƒ Develop event plan
ƒ Deliver event successfully
ƒ Assess / evaluate client satisfaction at all stages of the event / project
B. Plan Appropriate Group Processes
1) Select clear methods and processes that
ƒ Foster open participation with respect for client culture, norms and participant diversity
ƒ Engage the participation of those with varied learning / thinking styles
ƒ Achieve a high quality product / outcome that meets the client needs
2) Prepare time and space to support group process
ƒ Arrange physical space to support the purpose of the meeting
ƒ Plan effective use of time
ƒ Provide effective atmosphere and drama for sessions
C. Create and Sustain a Participatory Environment
1) Demonstrate effective participatory and interpersonal communication skills
ƒ Apply a variety of participatory processes
ƒ Demonstrate effective verbal communication skills
ƒ Develop rapport with participants
ƒ Practice active listening
ƒ Demonstrate ability to observe and provide feedback to participants
2) Honor and recognize diversity, ensuring inclusiveness
ƒ Create opportunities for participants to benefit from the diversity of the group
ƒ Cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity
3) Manage group conflict
ƒ Help individuals identify and review underlying assumptions
ƒ Recognize conflict and its role within group learning / maturity
ƒ Provide a safe environment for conflict to surface
ƒ Manage disruptive group behavior
ƒ Support the group through resolution of conflict
4) Evoke group creativity
ƒ Draw out participants of all learning/thinking styles
ƒ Encourage creative thinking
ƒ Accept all ideas
3. Core Facilitator Competencies
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ƒ Use approaches that best fit needs and abilities of the group
ƒ Stimulate and tap group energy
D. Guide Group to Appropriate and Useful Outcomes
1) Guide the group with clear methods and processes
ƒ Establish clear context for the session
ƒ Actively listen, question and summarize to elicit the sense of the group
ƒ Recognize tangents and redirect to the task
ƒ Manage small and large group process
2) Facilitate group self-awareness about its task
ƒ Vary the pace of activities according to needs of group
ƒ Identify information the group needs, and draw out data and insight from the group
ƒ Help the group synthesize patterns, trends, root causes, frameworks for action
ƒ Assist the group in reflection on its experience
3) Guide the group to consensus and desired outcomes
ƒ Use a variety of approaches to achieve group consensus
ƒ Use a variety of approaches to meet group objectives
ƒ Adapt processes to changing situations and needs of the group
ƒ Assess and communicate group progress
ƒ Foster task completion
E. Build and Maintain Professional Knowledge
1) Maintain a base of knowledge
ƒ Knowledgeable in management, organizational systems and development, group development, psychology, and conflict resolution
ƒ Understand dynamics of change
ƒ Understand learning/ thinking theory
2) Know a range of facilitation methods
ƒ Understand problem solving and decision-making models
ƒ Understand a variety of group methods and techniques
ƒ Know consequences of misuse of group methods
ƒ Distinguish process from task and content
ƒ Learn new processes, methods, & models in support of client’s changing/emerging needs
3) Maintain professional standing
ƒ Engage in ongoing study / learning related to our field
ƒ Continuously gain awareness of new information in our profession
ƒ Practice reflection and learning
ƒ Build personal industry knowledge and networks
4. Core Facilitator Competencies
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ƒ Maintain certification
F. Model Positive Professional Attitude
1) Practice self-assessment and self-awareness
ƒ Reflect on behavior and results
ƒ Maintain congruence between actions and personal and professional values
ƒ Modify personal behavior / style to reflect the needs of the group
ƒ Cultivate understanding of one’s own values and their potential impact on work with clients
2) Act with integrity
ƒ Demonstrate a belief in the group and its possibilities
ƒ Approach situations with authenticity and a positive attitude
ƒ Describe situations as facilitator sees them and inquire into different views
ƒ Model professional boundaries and ethics (as described in ethics and values statement)
3) Trust group potential and model neutrality
ƒ Honor the wisdom of the group
ƒ Encourage trust in the capacity and experience of others
ƒ Vigilant to minimize influence on group outcomes
ƒ Maintain an objective, non-defensive, non-judgmental stance