Group Facilitator Readiness for Coaches: Part 2

Building onto our post earlier this week, here are some core best practices for group facilitation:

• Create a safe, and open learning environment
• Spend time creating ground rules, or ways of working
• speak clearly, and slowly. Avoid jargon.
• Treat all participants as equals - and wherever possible ensure equal focus (time)
• Stay as neutral as possible
• Have the group be the focus of attention - not you
• Adapt your coaching skills for the group context
• Point to what you are noticing in terms of the group process
• Providing particpants with a brief roadmap of what they can expect (in terms of process)

Some traps to avoid are:

• Getting defensive
• Taking sides
• Knowing the answer
• Not really listening to what is being said
• Going over time
• Not managing or acknowledging conflict that exists
• Letting one person dominate

What are some of the best practices you would recommend for group facilitation?

Have a great week!

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CPT

Author of Effective Group Coaching

Early Bird rate for our Group Facilitation Skills Training program on until July 30th (September 24-25, 2010 in Toronto, CANADA)