A lack of clarity on the common goal
Facilitation
Achieving effective outcomes with groups is almost always enhanced when there is an external independent facilitator who can manage the process. Karen has excellent skills in facilitation and in working with high emotion, which allow you to step out of process matters and focus on what you know best, including the relationships with your peers and/or team members.
Groups get together to achieve common goals. However, this is often thwarted by a range of things including:
- A lack of clarity on the roles of those in the group (especially in relation to the task at hand)
- A lack of clarity on the key issues
- Being unsure of the possible solutions
- High stakes and risk
In addition, when we try to facilitate a group meeting ourselves, we need to manage both the process (the “how”) balanced with our desire to seek input from others and to make our own contributions (the “what”). This can be tricky.
Karen can effectively manage the ‘how’ while you focus on the ‘what’. The process (the “how”) includes:
- Ensuring everyone has an opportunity to contribute
- Ensuring that all the points are noted – including the ‘sticky’ ones! – in a way that is constructive
- Managing emotion in meetings, so that participants can have their say safely
- Capturing and evaluating the main points so that possible outcomes or solutions can be identified
- Identifying key actions and accountabilities so that the meeting time is productive and contributes to an end result
- Preserving relationships when the stakes are high
If you would like more information about facilitation or want to discuss how an external facilitator could be useful for you, then get in touch.