"The horizon leans forward,
offering you space to place
new steps of change."
MAYA ANGELOU
Facilitating
Process facilitation is an approach to working with groups that makes the work of the group easier. A process facilitator is a bridge builder who works with group members to ensure a group begins and remains effective. A process facilitator also works with the group members to reduce future dependence on the facilitator.
Generally, process facilitation is conducted by a person who is substantively neutral and has no decision-making authority. Process facilitation is done primarily through listening, conflict intervention, and recording results.
Process facilitators encourage the following:
- Understandable and agreed upon decision-making processes
- Commitment among members
- Transparent agreement processes
- Creative problem-solving approaches
- Open communication and articulation of issues including assumptions, problems, and attitudes
- Development of clear and challenging tasks
- Sufficient time to accomplish goals
- Integration of members differing interests
- Disclosure of information so that the group can make informed decisions
- Articulated expectations on how member should and should not act
- A supportive organizational culture that enables tasks to get done
- An agreed upon process of how the group will work together
- A balance of time spent on group tasks and interrelationships
- Understanding and responding appropriately to cultural differences