Facilitation Skills in the Workplace

Course details

This course is designed to provide delegates with a greater understanding of groups and group development and processes. It encourages delegates to reflect on their own participation in groups and promotes their ability to contribute positively to the groups of which they are a part. It equips delegates with practical group leadership skills in working under direction and supports the development of good practice that is the cornerstone of working with groups.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this training course, delegates should be able to:

• Appreciate the different roles within groups and understand their own way of participating in groups
• Recognize the characteristics of effective groups and how they work well
• Understand some key elements of group development and group processes
• Have an understanding of the nature of conflict within groups
• Understand and appreciate the true function of leadership in groups
• Demonstrate some key skills in working with groups to make them more effective and cohesive
• Develop good work practices in working with groups to ensure they achieve their aim

Unit 1 - Participating in Groups

Learners will be able to:

• reflect on their experience of participating in groups
• assess their own strengths and challenges in participating in groups
• evaluate the role(s) they most commonly adopt in groups
• distinguish between those groups which were effective and those which were not
• identify some barriers to participation in groups
• give and receive feedback on group participation
• recognise the impact of other peoples’ participation on groups
• examine the issue of leadership in groups
• give examples of how different leadership styles are appropriate to different groups.

Unit 2 - Group Theory

Learners will be able to:

• discuss different types of groups
• summarise key characteristics of effective groups e.g. common goals, equal participation, doing work together etc.
• discuss group structure in relation to task and maintenance aspects
• identify stages of group development
• outline the difference between task and process in groups
• discuss the main types of roles people adopt in groups e.g. transitory and permanent roles
• identify different types of group norms e.g. task, behaviour, attitudinal etc
• outline effective decision making behaviours e.g. two-way communication, differences seen as normal, commitment to evaluation and review, leadership shared etc.

Unit 3 - Differences in Groups

Learners will be able to:

• reflect on their experiences of diversity, differences and conflict in groups
• outline some sources of diversity in groups e.g. gender, class, ability, stereotyping, ethnicity, sexual orientation etc
• identify some signs of task and process difficulties in groups e.g. not making decisions, poor time keeping, silence, domination, poor participation etc.
• outline some causes of difficulties in groups e.g. competition, hidden agendas, power imbalance, previous experience etc
• outline some ways of confronting “difficult” behaviour in groups
• identify some strategies for managing conflict e.g. avoidance, accommodation, coercion, compromise and collaboration
• summarise the advantages and disadvantages of these strategies
• be familiar with a range of approaches to conflict management in groups.

Unit 4 - Group Leadership Skills

Learners will be able to:

• summarise the main difference between the role, skills and responsibilities of a group facilitator and someone who takes a leadership or facilitative role
• identify some key group discussion leadership or facilitation styles e.g. directive, exploratory, participative, evaluative etc
• outline good practice in planning, implementing and reviewing a group discussion
• use a range of appropriate activities and exercises for ice breakers, agreeing ground rules and reviewing a group session
• design, lead and review a group discussion with support and guidance
• critically reflect on their own skills, values and abilities in taking a leadership role in a group setting
• demonstrate the skills for effectively taking a leadership role in working with groups e.g. making contact, active listening, effective verbal and non verbal communication in groups encouraging participation etc.
• explain some key principles of good practice in taking a leadership role in working with groups e.g. listening, confidentiality, non judgmental attitude, appropriate boundaries, respect, encouraging participation, working inclusively etc.
• recognise the value of effective support and supervision in dealing with personal and work related dilemmas that arise in working with or leading groups.