Using Facilitation Skills - 3

Develop Participation

1. Keep air time under 40% Resist the temptation to lecture or be the expert. By deferring questions back to the group and using a variety of techniques for developing participation, you can encourage participants to do at least 60% of the talking.

2. Ask open-ended questions. These questions are used when you want to gain more information. Open-ended questions usually can't be answered with just a "yes" or "no." They usually start with "what," "how," "tell me about," or "explain." (ex: "What does quality mean to you?" "How would you implement that idea?" "What do you think the effect would be if…")

3. Count to 10. Wait a full 10 seconds after asking your questions (counting one, one thousand; two, one thousand). If there is no response, rephrase or ask your question again.

4. Use polling. This technique enables you to test assumptions about your group and get people interested in your topic. Polling can bring out otherwise silent people or equalize the overly talkative participant. Used together with asking an open-ended question, it can increase participation easily. (ex: "Let's see a show of hands from those of you who have used problem-solving skills," or "How many here have been to a facilitation skills seminar?")

5. Call on someone by name. Select someone who looks like they might know the answer. Otherwise, this technique can embarrass or make people uneasy. Use the name first, then follow with the question or request. (ex: "Tell me, Indrani, how do you accomplish your goal setting?" "Harpreet, how many PCs does your group own?").

6. Give verbal reinforcement. Reinforce participation and involvement rather than the content of the response. (ex: "Thank you," "I'm pleased you brought that up.")

7. Give nonverbal reinforcement. Show your participants you're pleased with what's going on or what has been said. (ex: Smile, nod, "thumbs up," write their ideas on the flipchart word-for-word, or walk toward the group.).

8. Use networking. Get participants to talk to each other rather than have them interact only with you. (ex: "Take a few minutes and ask the person next to you how they use that process in their department." "Anna, you've dealt with that issue before. Which Key Actions should Akansha be especially careful to cover?")

9. Defer to the group. Rather than answering questions yourself, let the group bring its expertise to the situation. (ex: "What about it group?" What are your thoughts and opinions about which approach we should choose?")

10. Provide examples. Whether a personal experience or an example drawn from another, examples can provide a visual illustration of a question or concept you are presenting. Be aware of maintaining confidentialities if you are sharing an example based on someone else's experience. (ex: "I once faced a situation as a supervisor that I needed coaching on, but I didn't get it. This is what happened….")