The Fast Facilitator »

Facilitation skills are certainly amongst the management skills for the new Millennium. This collection is designed to help train managers, team leaders and others to be facilitators as well as providing practical theory and activities for those who have to work with 'live' teams and groups.

Each topic is covered with key theory, relevant to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the teams/groups process; one or two activities; 1:1 coaching guidance and notes about your (the reader's) ongoing development as a facilitator.

The authors identify a series of entry-level skills, which are must have for all managers, and also provide both intermediate and advanced skills.

Index of facilitation issues; Introduction. Part One Essential Facilitation: What is Facilitation?: Different strokes for different folks; Open space. The Qualities: Physical realities; Object lessons. Self-Awareness: Empty pockets; Shoe swapping; Lifelines. Beginnings: Four way meetings; My friend in the chair; Ritual beginnings. Planning and Structuring: Group planning checklist; Worst case scenario; Co-working checklist. Establishing a Group Contract: Hierarchy of group effectiveness; Con-tricks. Valuing Yourself and Others: I notice, I imagine, I feel; Self-disclosure; What car? Managing Feelings: Speechless; Like the plague; Family drama. Skilful Challenge: Nice price; Difficult people; Conflict. Facilitating Feedback: Feedback review; Who am I to you? Part Two Groups and Team Facilitation: Understanding Group Process: Picture boxes; Truthful communication. Facilitator Authority: Power plays; Dimensions of authority. Group Process - Inclusion: Understanding inclusion; Rope tricks. Group Process - Control: Understanding control; Power line; Thumb war. Group Process - Openness: Understanding openness; Three legged search. When and How to Intervene: Pay attention; Holiday choices. Working with Diversity: Little boxes; Pebble power; Power grid. Working with Scapegoating: Provoke and defend; The bomb. Negotiation Skills: What I want; I want it more; Summer holiday. Facilitator Support: What I expect; Risk and failure. Part Three Creative Facilitation: One-to-one Facilitation: One-to-one skills building; Hands-on coaching; In depth 1:1 practice. Powering Up Presence: Avoiding losing; Hotseat; Body talk. Facilitating without words: Beyond words; Under the carpet; Waiting for Godot. Defence Patterns: On the defensive; It ain't easy. Consultancy Skills: Time bandits; Conscious intuition. Working in the Here and Now: Multiple personalities; One word snapshot; Free attention. Creative Facilitation: Creative circle; Bigger and better. Imaginal Work: The picture I get; The moon; Animals and elements. Using Stories to Facilitate Learning: The golden fleece; Heroes and villains. Endings: Self and peer assessment; Five W-H; Cutting the ties; Group gifts. Bibliography.