Facilitation Skills 101
How do you manage a healthy discussion without dominating it? I find this a common challenge for me personally as I’m someone who loves to talk and always thinks he has the right answers! (I know none of you other leaders have this challenge!)
Here are a couple of thoughts that help me. They may help you if you ever find yourself with similar challenges to me.
1. Hot Potatoes.
The best way to manage a conversation is to think of the old game “hot potatoes”. Basically that means that you, as the leader should try not to be the centre of attention for too long. Pass it on and allow your lifegroup members to grow by having them participate in the teaching and discussion.
2. Ask Questions.
Your ability to ask powerful questions will determine how effectively you engage people in the group dialogue. When someone isn’t being clear, ask them to clarify. When someone is being strong-willed, ask others for their point of view. Draw the group into the conversation one at a time (by passing the hot potato!)
Also, practice the art of delivery of a question. Never allow your questions to sound condescending or accusatory. Here’s a useful phrase “so that I can understand what you’re saying…”
3. Seek first to understand, then be understood.
Even if you’re teaching a session you should first seek to understand your audience. In a lifegroup setting you can do this easily by doing a survey, asking for testimonies or experiences, even doing a test. Always focus on the audience first.
4. Dig deeper.
I like to ask questions because I often find the “real” answer after the first 3. I have a coach who tells me the trust his always 5 layers deep!
Ask open questions to help discover more of what your people are thinking. The power of group teaching will lead to transformational changes in their lives.
5. Healthy Disagreements
Don’t be fearful of disagreements. Harmony is one thing, but not the same as unity. What I mean by that is harmony can often be achieved in the midst of, or because of, tension. When you uncover disagreement referee the conversation so that different points of view an be expressed in a healthy manner. Make sure the point is never to “win” argument, rather to be understood, still accepted and always loved.