Ask these 2 important questions to the boss before you meet.
When a facilitator has these answers, he can create the perfect day.- What are your team’s biggest issues at work?
- What specific outcomes would you love to see happen at the end of the day?
- Have more activities than you will need. A good facilitator always plans ahead by bringing and planning more activities than necessary as back-up, in case the day goes really quickly.
- Go propless. When traveling, one never knows when luggage might get lost. A wise facilitator always relies on several propless activities just in case.
- . A good team building facilitator asks good questions and steps back— allowing the participants to engage, interact, and communicate. It’s their day; let them learn by doing and speaking up.
- Lead by example. A good facilitator is aware of his or her actions when things do not go according to plan or in between the activities.
- Put EGO’s in the back pocket. A good facilitator allows the group to lead and proceed at their rate and on their agenda. Letting go of one’s agenda to meet the needs of the group is a terrific facilitator strength.
- Pause. Allowing participants to pause often gives them time to process, think, and anchor their learnings. Few facilitators do this. Pause, pause, pause.
- De-brief. Allowing the participants to process their actions, behavior, and responses after each activity is precisely when the learning takes place.
- Be punctual. Start on time, allow breaks, end on time. Period.
- Nurture spontaneity. The best moments and the most teachable moments are usually the unplanned moments. Enjoy, appreciate, and honor them.
- Laugh often. Participants learn best when having FUN!
Larry Lipman
Larry Lipman is a Success Coach specializing in TEAM BUILDING!