This is a question I’m asked often.  We hear the word “facilitate” in a lot of different contexts mostly around the action of facilitating.  People facilitate meetings, classrooms, and conversations. So, what does facilitation as a profession mean?  The word “facilitate” means to make easier.  As a facilitator I bring the process that makes it easier for groups to work together.  That process is more than just engaging in the moment. It starts before I even meet with a group. Here are a few things having a facilitator does to help “make it easier” for groups to be successful.  

1. Create a brave and inclusive space. If we want input from others, we need to build trust that their voice has value. A facilitator can create a brave space by how they set up the room, invite people in, acknowledge diversity, and encourage participation.
   
   
2. Challenge the group’s assumptions and perspectives. Innovation starts with understanding that there are different ways to be, to work, it starts with expanding our perspective beyond our own experiences. A facilitator can help the group by providing opportunities for individuals to share different experiences and viewpoints without judgement to discover options they had not yet considered.
   
   
3. Helping the group come to consensus: Leading a process that helps the group talk, think, and work together means the facilitator is paying attention to group dynamics and making adjustments to provide multiple ways for all voices to be heard as they work together to reach consensus.
   
   
4. Breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Plans, especially Strategic Plans, often sit on a shelf never to be visited again. When the excitement of a new plan begins to fade and the overwhelming sense of what needs to be done sets in, groups often feel paralyzed. Having a facilitator can help the group focus on what they can do now to keep the momentum going.
   
   
5. Celebrating Successes: It’s important to celebrate successes along the way, no matter how small. As the facilitator, we can carve time into our sessions for the group to reflect, acknowledge, and celebrate!

Who can be a facilitator? ANYONE! That’s right we train people from youth to corporate executives. Whether you are looking to facilitate as a profession or use the skills in your current job or organization, if you engage with others you will find value in facilitation.