A discussion will only be as sweet and fruitful as the facilitator makes it to be. Good facilitation enables guests to freely express themselves and exhaust the topic at hand. There are excellent dialogue facilitation techniques that have turned ordinary persons into pro hosts. Here is a look at some of these techniques and how they can be used.
Take the approach of a traffic controller at an airport instead of acting like a pilot. Traffic controllers direct planes through gestures and signals. This means that every plane will follow the directions and find its resting place. This is different from a pilot who is in charge as a professional. Allow panelists to express their ideas and opinions even though you have some opinions of your own. Do not turn the discussion into a one man show.
Establish norms that will guide your discussion. The role of a facilitator is to ensure that there is order and everyone has a chance to make contribution. This will only happen if there is order. Establish norms like the order in which people speak, how the responses should be made, expectations from those in attendance and language mannerisms, among others. It is these ground rules that make your discussion civil and productive.
Be concerned by the questions more than answers. You naturally have answers to the questions or an opinion, yet you cannot force it on everyone. Remain neutral as the facilitator to allow panelists to air their views. This turns the dialogue into a genuine one. Panelists also feel free to contribute freely.
Ask questions that are open ended and that will provoke a discussion. This makes your discussion conversational instead of question and answer or interrogation session. Incite the panelists to keep going using such phrases are How So, Tell Me More and What Followed, among others. This helps you avoid the one word answers that make discussions boring.
Conversation starters will define the warmth of your discussion. The best facilitators do not jump into the discussion straightaway. Rather, they have an easy moment that will warm the floor before the heavy and hard hitting opinions come. This discussion should be related to the larger topic. It gives an easy platform for all to discuss the issues at hand. The opener should not close out some people. In fact, a free for all discussion is welcome.
Use words that are invitational and not forceful. Let participation in the debate appear as though it is a natural invitation for all. This will be determined by the words or phrases you use. When it feels like an invitation, panelists find it easy to share openly. Observe the facial expressions, eye contacts and subtle motions that your panelists make. They will tell you when to allow someone to jump in and when the discussion is pinning out of hand. Participants who want to dominate must be tamed.
Keep the discussion relevant even when other issues emerge. Every discussion has the potential of spinning out of control as new ideas emerge. When people are put on their defense, be ready to allow them redeem their image. Find an interesting ending that is also captivating and memorable.
Take the approach of a traffic controller at an airport instead of acting like a pilot. Traffic controllers direct planes through gestures and signals. This means that every plane will follow the directions and find its resting place. This is different from a pilot who is in charge as a professional. Allow panelists to express their ideas and opinions even though you have some opinions of your own. Do not turn the discussion into a one man show.
Establish norms that will guide your discussion. The role of a facilitator is to ensure that there is order and everyone has a chance to make contribution. This will only happen if there is order. Establish norms like the order in which people speak, how the responses should be made, expectations from those in attendance and language mannerisms, among others. It is these ground rules that make your discussion civil and productive.
Be concerned by the questions more than answers. You naturally have answers to the questions or an opinion, yet you cannot force it on everyone. Remain neutral as the facilitator to allow panelists to air their views. This turns the dialogue into a genuine one. Panelists also feel free to contribute freely.
Ask questions that are open ended and that will provoke a discussion. This makes your discussion conversational instead of question and answer or interrogation session. Incite the panelists to keep going using such phrases are How So, Tell Me More and What Followed, among others. This helps you avoid the one word answers that make discussions boring.
Conversation starters will define the warmth of your discussion. The best facilitators do not jump into the discussion straightaway. Rather, they have an easy moment that will warm the floor before the heavy and hard hitting opinions come. This discussion should be related to the larger topic. It gives an easy platform for all to discuss the issues at hand. The opener should not close out some people. In fact, a free for all discussion is welcome.
Use words that are invitational and not forceful. Let participation in the debate appear as though it is a natural invitation for all. This will be determined by the words or phrases you use. When it feels like an invitation, panelists find it easy to share openly. Observe the facial expressions, eye contacts and subtle motions that your panelists make. They will tell you when to allow someone to jump in and when the discussion is pinning out of hand. Participants who want to dominate must be tamed.
Keep the discussion relevant even when other issues emerge. Every discussion has the potential of spinning out of control as new ideas emerge. When people are put on their defense, be ready to allow them redeem their image. Find an interesting ending that is also captivating and memorable.
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