Great facilitation is achieved through many little things. Below are some tips to help you improve your facilitation.
But the most important part of facilitation is to notice things and to adapt your plan based on what you notice.
The tips have been grouped by the 5 structure elements that are used with Liberating Structures.
Invitation
Repeat the Invitation
Repeat the invitation twice. Repeat the invitation twice.
This helps participants to remember what they need to do.
Invitation Variation
Include 2-3 variations in the invitation.
For example: “... issue, idea, or challenge …”
No Jargon
Avoiding mentioning the name of the technique or structure you are using.
It is not relevant to the participants, unless you are teaching them these techniques.
Lower the Barrier
If you’re anxious about trying something new, call it an experiment.
If you do, don’t forget to ask how it went when you’re done!
Sequence & Time
When I’m Done Explaining
Start your explanation with the phrase “When I’m done explaining…”.
This prevents participants starting their discussion before you’ve finished your explanation.
Inconspicuous Timekeeping
Don’t be too strict and visible with timekeeping.
Listen to the volume of the conversations instead.
Bells
Use a clear, pleasant sound to signal the end of a step.
Tingsha Bells or a Singing Bowl for example.
Stopwatch
If you want to keep track of time, use a stopwatch instead of a timer.
This gives you more flexibility and avoids the “beep” when the timer rans out.
Clear Expectations
Make it clear that you don’t expect a “eureka-moment” during every timebox.
This removes the pressure that participants sometimes have.
Step by Step
Don’t explain all the steps at the beginning.
In most cases it is better to give just enough explanation for the next step.
Configuration
Choosing Initial Partner
Help people to choose an initial partner by providing criteria.
For example: a person with similar height, same colour shirt, etc. A great example is finding your “Sole Mate”: somebody with the same shoe-size or the same pattern on the soles of their shoes.
Forming Groups
Suggest the following protocol for forming a group: Raise your hand if you are not yet part of a group, or your group is incomplete.
Space
Visualize the Results
Capture relevant output/results from the group where they are visible to all participants. For example on brown paper or a flip-over.
Use the Whole Room
Make sure participants/groups are spread out.
This avoids discussions in one group influencing/disturbing another group.
Participation
Flow over Enforcement
Don’t overly enforce equal turn-taking by participants. Rather, invite them to manage turn-taking themselves.
Anything to Add?
Use the question “Anything to add?” when you have a co-facilitator. This reduces omissions and ensures a smooth connection with your co-facilitator.
Who should start?
You can help groups/pairs decide who starts talking by suggesting things like “The person with the longest hair starts”.