Advanced Facilitation Skills - (2 Days)

09:30 - 10:00 Coffee & Course Objectives

10:00 - 11:15 Understanding Facilitation (A detailed examination of the role, qualities and skills of an accomplished facilitator. A breakdown of the 3 fundamentals of facilitation: task, process and people.)

11:30 - 12:45 The Facilitators Toolkit (Part 1)(The first two essential facilitation skills: First, a route map for creating a facilitated event including defining the purpose, process and anticipated outcomes. Second, techniques for engaging the key stakeholders.)

12:45 - 13:45 Lunch

13:45 - 14:30 The Facilitators Toolkit (Part 2)(An insight into the next 4 skills required of an Accomplished Facilitator:1) Creating a climate for success2) Managing the process3) Maintaining direction4) Monitoring progress)

14:30 - 15:15 Real Life Scenarios (Participants apply the lessons learned so far to conduct a simulated facilitated event based on their own real world situations.)

15:30 - 16:00 Managing Conflict (It is highly likely that in a facilitated event conflict will occur between individuals and/or groups. This session looks at typical sources of conflict and what to do to prevent them occurring manage them if they arise.)

Day 2

09:45 - 10:30 Handling Difficult Situations (This session looks at how to deal with challenges disruptions and resistance within the group.)

10:45 - 11:30 Practical Exercise - Handling Difficult Situations (The participants apply the lessons learned to handle difficult situations in a simulated facilitated event.)

11:30 - 12:30 The Facilitators Toolkit (Part 3)(Exploration of the next 3 facilitators skills9) Developing action plans10) Reviewing progress against anticipated outcomes11) Ensuring the momentum caused by a successful event is translated into further action)

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch

13:30 - 14:00 Creative Techniques (An introduction to the most effective creative techniques.)

14:00 - 15:15 Practical Exercise - Using Creative Techniques (The participants apply the creative techniques learned in a simulated facilitated event based on their own real world situations.)

15:30 - 16:00 Giving and Receiving Feedback (Each participant receives feedback from their colleagues on their strengths and areas where they need to develop their facilitation skills.)

16:00 - 16:30 Preparing a Personal Action Plan (Each participant creates a list of actions to apply the principles taught on the course to their own situation.)

16.30 Summary & Action Plans Agreed

• Understanding of what a facilitator does and crucially what they don't do
• Develop and design an event that will lead a group through to a successful outcome
• Skill in applying the best creative techniques
• Handling group dynamics and deal with challenges, resistance and disruption
• Competence in the 12 Skills of Facilitation - A dozen skills that all accomplished facilitators must master
• The 'Facilitators route map ' - a step-by-step guide for setting up, marketing, designing and conducting a dynamic event