Tip Sheet Volume 4:5

The Role of Facilitator

A facilitator is a subject matter expert responsible for leading a group of individuals in a guided discussion about a specific topic. A facilitator, unlike an instructor, is not the source of information, but one who uses the expertise found in the group to derive the relevant information. (www.virtualcampus.usace.army.mil/whatis.htm).

The following facilitation guidelines will assist you in making a positive impression each time you are asked to be a moderator or facilitator at a meeting or in a discussion.

A Good Facilitator Should:

• Introduce the topic and provide the timeframe for discussion.
• Remain neutral.
• Maintain order-allow only one person to speak at a time.
• Steer the group in a positive direction. Keep the conversation relevant to the topic. If the discussion is getting off-track, no matter how interesting the new conversation is, the facilitator should bring the conversation back to the intended topic.
• Remember that the group/audience is not there to hear the facilitator speak!
• Avoid answering questions - direct the questions back to the group or expert panel.
• Summarize points that are made for clarification and understanding.
• Ask questions to stimulate discussion, if necessary.
• Encourage participation from all attendees or several depending on the size of the group.
• Frame questions and comments to focus on understanding a viewpoint and not judging it.
• Encourage different viewpoints.
• Recognize that every opinion is important-none are right or wrong.
• Thank participants for offering their opinions.
• Listen without interrupting.
• Bring in humor to lighten up a tense situation.
• Observe non-verbal messages and the impact they have on the discussion.
• Be a proactive timekeeper. Keep the discussion moving and within the allotted time.

In a sentence, a facilitator should be flexible, adaptive, proactive, responsible, and resilient!

If you have any questions about this tip sheet please contact: Lisa Lorenzen, 2810 Beardshear, Phone: (515) 294-0926, Email: llorenze@iastate.edu

Acknowledgement: Information for this tip sheet was taken from www.mhbs.soton.ac.uk, www.albany.edu, and www.virtualcampus.usace.army.mil.