Small Group Facilitation

Many, if not most, organizations now use small groups of different types as part of their operating systems, for creating a sense of involvement, for generating new ideas and for problem solving purposes. Variously called teams, task groups, problem solving groups, quality circles, improvement teams, partnership groups etc, what they all have in common is a need to work well and to get the job done with minimum fuss and expense.

The facilitator is primarily concerned with how a group of people interact with each other and how they do what they have assembled together to do. Facilitators do this by applying a range of techniques or interventions that are based on the theory of 'group dynamics'. There is an assumption that groups have latent potential for generating solutions to problems. The facilitator is responsible for helping the group to unleash that potential.

The role of the facilitator is to help the group to form more quickly and effectively than might happen if the group was left to its own devices. This helps save time that might otherwise be spent going around in circles in pursuit of clear goals and ways of achieving them. The facilitator can help the group to surface important issues early on. For groups to be effective, they have to involve real dialogue, and group members must seriously listen to each other. The facilitator can assist this process by helping to establish a climate in which group members feel secure enough to express honest views and by encouraging all group members to participate.

The facilitator can help the group to devise effective ways of working together in meetings and to keep the focus on the tasks being addressed. This role includes that of process designer. The facilitator helps design and facilitate a range of meeting formats including information workshops, seminars, training sessions, focus groups, and large-scale meetings such as conferences.

Most groups need to generate ideas. Facilitators can help them unleash energy and creativity. All groups, if they are effective, will experience conflict from time to time. The facilitator can help the group to resolve disputes and differences in ways that advance the group agenda and build relationships. Otherwise, the group can get bogged down either avoiding conflict or handling conflict in ways that damage relationships and undermine group performance.

Perhaps one of the most vital contributions that facilitators can make is to challenge the group to question current arrangements and practices within the organization and group. Facilitators can push the group towards greater achievements by challenging them to take on more difficult tasks or by suggesting that they measure their performance by a higher standard than currently being used. Depending on circumstances, this may be easier for external facilitators who are not part of the organization's political system.