The Trainer as a Facilitator

The role of the facilitator

A great trainer knows how to guide a group toward insights at exactly the right moment, without intervening on the content itself. The key is to stay true to your role as a facilitator and focus on keeping the process flowing smoothly. This means inviting the group to get to work, often through an exercise, and allowing the learning to emerge from there.

Based on experience, I have identified a number of common pitfalls that I would like to share with you. In this article, we will take a deeper look at the most significant one. Of course, I will also offer practical tips on how to avoid this pitfall and provide guidance for further depth and enrichment. With this knowledge, you can develop into an even more effective facilitator. Let’s get started.

Pitfall: “What were we supposed to do again?”

Unfortunately, this pitfall is a common one. When a group is working on an exercise, confusion often arises in one or more subgroups about what the assignment actually is. As a result, valuable time is spent clearing up this confusion instead of engaging with the content itself. This is not only a waste of the participants’ time, but it also reduces your impact as a facilitator.

You can address this by walking around during the exercise and stepping in reactively when you notice it happening. This is an effective way to limit the damage. However, it does not prevent the (sub)group from losing time before they can move toward a result. When working with multiple subgroups, some may fall behind others, which then becomes something you have to manage. All in all, quite a hassle. Fortunately, there is a better way.

My advice: A structured instruction

A more effective approach is to provide a clear and structured instruction when a group starts an exercise. I personally use the following structure:

• Connection

Start by creating a connection to the topic so people know something new is beginning and can focus their attention.

For example: We are now going to put the theory about Product Owner maturity into practice. What are the differences between theory and practice? And how can we help each other deal with this in a practical way? After this exercise, you will have a clearer picture of your development opportunities and will have exchanged practical tips on how to act from a mature position.

• Invitation

The invitation is the most essential part of the instruction. This sentence provides direction and should not be too narrow, as that can limit inspiration, nor too broad, as that can cause the group to remain vague and drift.

For example: I invite you to map your own practice onto the five levels we discussed. Where do you see yourself in this model, and how can you apply more maturity in your role?

• Time and group setup

Next, indicate how much time participants have and how they will work, for example in pairs or small groups, without giving a command. If you do, people may start immediately while your invitation is not yet complete.

For example: You will interview each other in pairs on this topic. You have 15 minutes in total, so each person will have five minutes of the other’s full attention.

• Questions?

Now take time to answer questions related to steps one through three.

For example: Are there any questions about the assignment?

• Invitation and time

After answering the questions, repeat the invitation, the time, and the group setup. Do this even if there are no questions, so everyone is clear on what to do.

For example: You will now map the five levels of the model onto your own practice. The goal is to gather tips on how to apply more maturity in your role. You will work in pairs and have a total of ten minutes.

• Command

Finally, let participants know they can begin.

For example: Go for it.

The power of teamwork

It is remarkable how often a group comes up with insights you had not considered yourself. I once asked a group of trainers I was coaching what they believe characterises an excellent facilitator. The instruction was simple: what does a great facilitator do, and what does a great facilitator deliberately not do?

Below, you will find the insights they shared. Let yourself be inspired.

Tips

If you want to take your facilitation skills to the next level, make sure you have a wide range of facilitation formats at your disposal. You might, for example, explore concepts such as 'Training from the Back of the Room' or in 'Liberating Structures'.

If you would like to work hands-on with fellow trainers to further develop your skills, take a look at the course: ‘De Professionele Trainer’.

Your training, your masterpiece

How do you facilitate your training sessions? And what have you experienced along the way? Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Good luck.