Facilitating Meetings
Course Ref: FT01

Should I attend this course?
If you have ever attended a meeting where the discussion seemed out of control, or lacked conclusiveness, you will be able to appreciate the value of a good facilitator. A facilitator's challenge is to ensure that all the participants at the meeting achieve their objectives, and in this course you will discover the skills and techniques that make this possible.

You will learn how to ensure that the discussion covers all the relevant topics comprehensively but concisely, avoiding digressions and progressing steadily towards a conclusion. Whenever a group of people with differing opinions meets to discuss an issue, there is the potential for problems to arise; you will learn how to confidently nip these in the bud and restore order, getting the meeting back on track.

This is a highly participative course, allowing plenty of opportunities to practise your skills and receive constructive feedback.

What will I learn?
After attending this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the concept of facilitation
• Identify the skills and behaviours of an effective facilitator
• Describe the stages of the facilitation process
• Use tools and techniques to facilitate meetings and brainstorming sessions effectively

What does the course cover?

• What is facilitation?
• What are a facilitator's roles and responsibilities?
• What are the qualities and characteristics of a good facilitator?
• What are the dynamics of groups and teams?
• What roles may the individual participants play in a meeting?
• How should I prepare to facilitate a meeting?
• How should a meeting be structured?
• How can I gain the confidence of the group?
• How can I use questioning techniques effectively?
• How can I develop my listening skills?
• How can I use my observational skills effectively?
• How should I ensure that all the issues and solutions are explored?
• What problem-solving techniques can I apply?
• How can I ensure a consensus decision is reached?
• How should I intervene when things go wrong?
• How should I handle difficult participants?
• What are the rules for facilitating a brainstorming session?
• What are the barriers to effective facilitation and how can I overcome them?

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