Transforming Learning into Action

Successfully leading a group or team requires the skills to facilitate groups. It is the unusual team or group leader who has the combined experience and knowledge of both project content and group dynamics. Understanding team dynamics, helping the team reach its goals, and focusing the team on its business objectives are the strengths of a skilled facilitator. There is a difference between facilitating and managing groups or teams. A facilitator is an expert in group process, a troubleshooter who does what needs to be done to get the team moving. A facilitator is a diagnostician with intervention skills appropriate for the stage of the group’s development. A facilitator is a neutral associate of the team or group who brings objectivity. Objectivity is extremely important since it is the bridge to building trusting relationships. A facilitator helps groups improve upon their group processes and moves them toward greater efficiency and effectiveness. A skilled facilitator takes responsibility for guiding a group so that synergy is created. A facilitator is a change agent or catalyst who is able to challenge old approaches and move a group ahead.