This document discusses key concepts for developing skills as a group facilitator. It introduces group facilitation and outlines different facilitator roles. It then discusses the skilled facilitator approach and a group effectiveness model. It details mental models, theories-in-use, and model I and model II behaviors. Nine ground rules for effective groups are provided. Forms of advocacy and inquiry are outlined, including skillful dialogue, dysfunctional forms, and the ladder of inference.

1. Introduction to Facilitation ADLT 612 February 9, 2009

2. Agenda – Class 9 Developing Skills as a Group Facilitator

3. What is group facilitation?

4. Choosing Among Facilitator Roles

5. Key Features of the Skilled Facilitator Approach

6. A Group Effectiveness Model

7. Mental Models

8. Rules Governing Theories-in-Use

9. Model I Behaviors (unilateral control)

10. Model II Behaviors (mutual learning)

11. Nine Ground Rules for Effective Groups

12. Asking Observing Generating Telling Testing Asserting Explaining Skillful Dialogue ( Balancing Advocacy and Inquiry) Dialogue Bystanding Sensing Clarifying Interviewing ADVOCACY INQUIRY Low

13. Asking Observing Generating Telling Testing: “Here’s what I say, “What do you think of it?” Asserting: “Here’s what I say and here’s why I say it.” Explaining: “here’s how the world works and why I can see it that way.” Skillful Dialogue (Balancing Advocacy and Inquiry): Genuinely curious, makes reasoning explicit, asks others about assumptions Dialogue: Suspend all Assumptions, creating a “ container” in which collective thinking can emerge. Bystanding: Making comments which pertain to the group process, but not to content. Sensing: Watching the conversation flow without saying much, but keenly aware of all that transpires Clarifying: “What is the question we are trying to answer ?” Interviewing: Exploring others’ points of view, and the reasons behind them ADVOCACY INQUIRY Low

14. Dictating : “Here’s what I say, and never mind why.” ( dysfunctional) Interrogating: “ Why can’t you see that your point of view is wrong?” ( Dysfunctional ) ADVOCACY INQUIRY Politicking : Giving the impression of balancing advocacy and inquiry, while being close-minded ( dysfunctional) Withdrawing: Mentally Checking out of the room, and not paying attention ( Dysfunctional) Dysfunctional Forms of Advocacy and Inquiry

16. How Do You Apply the Ladder of Inference?