The document discusses essential facilitation skills for meetings. It outlines the 6 Ps of facilitation: plan, prepare, practice, promote, present, and produce. The 6 Ps provide a framework for effective facilitation, including planning the purpose, outcomes, participants and agenda. Meeting behaviors like initiating discussion, clarifying ideas, and summarizing are described as helpful. Difficult behaviors like agenda jumping and blocking are also noted. The document provides tips for applying the 6 Ps and handling challenges during facilitated meetings.

1. NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW OPTIMAL SOLUTIONS CONSULTING [email_address] www.opti-solutions.com Essential Facilitation Skills

2. Desired Outcomes Understand how to apply The 6 P’s when facilitating meetings. Gain tips and techniques for handling difficult situations in meetings. © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com

3. Agenda Welcome / Overview / Introductions Essential Preparation Skills Essential Meeting Management Skills Closing / Evaluation © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com

4. Group Agreements Listen before responding Take turns speaking Stretch your comfort zone Start and end on time Keep an open mind Value different opinions and ideas “ Say your piece” in the room Turn phones/pagers to silent or vibrate © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com

5. Introductions Name Organization Currently facilitating meetings? Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced facilitator? © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com

6. Facilitation Is… Helping groups work together effectively and accomplish their desired results. © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com

7. The 6 P’s of Facilitation Plan Purpose, Desired Outcomes, Participants, Agenda, Potential Challenges Prepare Handouts, Discussion Openers and Closers Practice Transitions, Discussion Questions, Difficult Situations © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com

8. Exercise: Planning for a Meeting Think about an upcoming meeting that you will (or could) be facilitating and write down answers to items: #1 (Meeting Purpose) #2 (Desired Outcomes) #4 (Meeting Participants) #5 (Building the Agenda) #6 – last bullet (Potential Challenges) © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com

9. The 6 P’s of Facilitation Promote Effective meeting culture Present Context, Clarify, Review, Discuss, Decide Produce Meeting Minutes, Follow Up © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com

10. Helpful Meeting Behaviors © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com Builder Initiator Clarifier Opinion Giver Compromiser Opinion Seeker Encourager Summarizer Gatekeeper Tension Reliever Harmonizer Tester

11. “ Difficult” Meeting Behaviors © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com Agenda Jumper Eager Beaver Aggressor Entertainer Blocker Nay-Sayer Competitor Self-Discloser Devilish Advocate Spotlight Seeker Dominator Withdrawer

12. Want More Information? E-mail: [email_address] Visit: www.opti-solutions.com Connect: www.facebook.com/OptimalSolutions www.twitter.com/nicolemyoung www.linkedin.com/in/nicolemyoung © Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2010 www.opti-solutions.com