Facilitation is about helping the group get where it needs to go, and recognising the need to manage the group process to do this. Like many creative processes, facilitation is ultimately a performance art rather than an academic subject. One way to think about what you need to do this by considering the questions:
 | What has this group come together to do, and how will we agree what goals and outcomes we seek? |
| What structure do we need, and how will we manage this? |
| How will the group respond to and manage the feelings of its members? |
| How will we deal with confrontation? |
In a task oriented culture, pressure to focus on outcomes can lead to a belief that how we treat each other is not important. In part, facilitation is a rejection of that simple model - that "task focus" and "people focus" are exclusive, and opposites. Facilitation presents a holistic view: success comes from bringing people and task together. This requires creation of one thing from the many - an effective group. Hence, the last (and most important) question:
| How will we achieve openness, honesty and trust between ourselves? |
Of the many guides available on the subject, my favourite is "The Zen of Groups", which sets out and explores the principles admirably. However, like many other aspects of creativity, there are also some very good step by step "how to" guides available, such as "The Facilitator's Handbook" ISBN 0-8144-7038-6.
Successful Facilitation relies on self awareness and Reflective Practice...