The document provides guidance for facilitators on how to effectively lead sessions. It outlines key responsibilities such as setting standards for discussion, prioritizing the workshop environment, being mindful of timing, and articulating the purpose and significance of discussions. Facilitators should assess participant knowledge and motivation and structure information appropriately, encourage participation through applied activities, and keep discussions enjoyable and educational while remaining impartial. The document also lists techniques facilitators should and should not use to moderate discussions and engage participants.

1. FACILITATION SKILLS

2. Questions to ask yourself when preparing
for a session:
In one sentence, how would you describe the
purpose of an upcoming session you will conduct?
What are the objectives for this session?
What are two strategies you can use to ensure that
participants are aware of the objectives throughout
the session?

3. Six Basic Facilitation Principles
1. Direct your instruction at more than once sense at
a time.
2. Limit the amount of information you provide to
participants. Focus on the critical content to
facilitate the information processing.
3. Create messages that capture participants’
attention and are relevant to their needs. Use
examples and analogies that relate to the
participants’ previous experiences.

4. Principles contd..
4. Organize information you present into meaningful
“bits”. Use strategies which require participants to
link new information with prior knowledge. Use
metaphors, graphs, tables and images to encourage
this process.
5. Provide plenty of opportunities for your
participants to “practice” using new information.

5. Principles contd..
6. Assess the knowledge, ability and motivation of
your audience. If your audience has limited prior
knowledge, organize it into usable “chunks” and
explain concepts using easily understood analogies
and examples. Motivate participants by showing
them the relevance of the information you are
sharing and explain how it will benefit them.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FACILITATORS
Facilitators are the standard-setters for the
discussion.
Facilitators make the workshop environment a
priority.
Facilitators are mindful of timing issues.
Facilitators are responsible for articulating the
purpose of the discussion and its significance to the
group.

7. Responsibilities contd..
Facilitators make use of various techniques/tools to
keep the discussion moving.
Facilitators are responsible for paying attention to
group behaviors.
Facilitators should be relaxed and have a sense of
humor that makes sure discussions are enjoyable as
well as educational.

8. “
“Not to DO” list for facilitators
Facilitators should not:
 Impose a solution on the group. They clarify issues, focus discussions, bring
out viewpoints, synthesize differences, and look for underlying agreements.
However, this does not mean they impose a solution on the group.
 Downplay people’s ideas.
 Push personal agendas and opinions as the “right” answer.
 Dominate the group.
 Say umm, aahh repeatedly.
 Read from a manuscript.
 Tell inappropriate or offensive stories.
 Make up an answer-you never know who is in the room.
 Allow people to bully others in the group.
 Talk a stance with one section of the group.
 Tell too much about your personal experience and life.
 Assume the demographics of your group (based on appearance).

9. “To Do” list for facilitators
Facilitators should:
Know the material before doing the workshop.
Exude confidence-be clear, enthusiastic, breath!
Use humor, stories, and examples that directly relate to their
work.
Select an appropriate activity that will meet the needs of your
group and have lots of fun energizers/icebreakers on hand.
Have lots of visually appealing handouts and flip charts
Determine needed supplies, room requirements, and chair
setup.
Think through the exercise and visualize potential problems
and pitfalls- one of the biggest is not allotting enough time for
activities.

10. “To Do” list contd…
 Clearly explain activity directions and be prepared for questions.
 Observe individual participation and involvement during exercises.
 Be aware of individuals that may be experiencing discomfort or who
are not participating.
 Follow up the exercise with discussion.
 Processing will reveal the thoughts and feelings never expressed
previously.
 Be available to talk/debrief with participants during break times and
before/after the session.
 Evaluate needs of the group, especially at the end of the day to see
what you can change for the next day.
 Evaluate the experience and write down notes for future sessions.

11. ASANTEH!!