Public Schedule Face-to-Face & Online Instructor-Led Training - View dates & book

Instructor-led training -

Facilitation Skills – Level 1Facilitation Skills – Level 1

Productivity Wins Through Collaboration

Face to face / Online public schedule & onsite training. Restaurant lunch included at STL venues.

From £495 List price £650

Who is this course for?

This one-day course is tailored for professionals across various sectors who aim to enhance their facilitation capabilities, whether they are new to the role or seeking to refine their skills. It is ideal for anyone involved in running meetings or workshops.

Facilitation Skills – Level 1

Benefits

Attending this course provides participants with a robust set of skills essential for effective facilitation, crucial for driving productivity and fostering collaborative environments in any organisation.

Benefits include enhanced communication abilities, from active listening to delivering clear, constructive feedback, and advanced techniques for managing group dynamics and resolving conflicts.

Participants will also learn to design and lead engaging workshops, ensuring inclusivity and active participation.
By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped with a comprehensive facilitator's toolkit, enabling them to tailor their approach to meet specific organisational needs and to implement their new skills immediately.

Course Syllabus

Introduction to Facilitation

Overview of facilitation, its significance in business, and the roles of a facilitator.

Core Skills of a Facilitator

Developing key communication skills such as active listening, clarity in communication, and constructive feedback.
Techniques to foster open dialogue and manage group dynamics effectively.

Practical Application

Interactive scenarios to practice starting sessions, focusing discussions, and driving group participation.
Real-time feedback on facilitation techniques with a focus on adjustment and improvement.

Designing and Leading Workshops

Structuring sessions that engage and motivate participants.
Strategies to ensure inclusivity and participation from all attendees.

Handling Challenges in Facilitation

Techniques to address and resolve conflict, manage difficult participants, and overcome common facilitation barriers.
Creating conditions for effective brainstorming and decision-making.

Developing a Facilitator's Toolkit

Constructing action plans and facilitation agendas tailored to specific organisational needs.
Utilising tools and techniques learned throughout the day in a culminating practice session.

Debrief and Feedback

Open discussion to reflect on the day’s learnings and how they can be applied moving forward.

"What do I get on the day?"

Arguably, the most experienced and highest motivated trainers.

Face-to-face training

lunch

Training is held in our modern, comfortable, air-conditioned suites.

Lunch, breaks and timing

A hot lunch is provided at local restaurants near our venues:

  • Bloomsbury
  • Limehouse

Courses start at 9:30am.

Please aim to be with us for 9:15am.

Browse the sample menus and view joining information (how to get to our venues).

Refreshments

Available throughout the day:

  • Hot beverages
  • Clean, filtered water
  • Biscuits

Online training

online training (virtual)

Regular breaks throughout the day.

Learning tools

in-course handbook

In-course handbook

Contains unit objectives, exercises and space to write notes

24 months access to trainers

Your questions answered on our support forum.

What to expect when training

Training Formats & Services

  • On a public schedule at one of our
    London training venues.
  • On-site at your company office UK wide
  • Near-site, at a location close to you
  • Tailored courses to your requirements
  • Productivity Training Programs
  • Consultancy
  • Bespoke one-to-one
  • Rollout
  • TNA
  • Upgrade
  • Case studies

Public schedule dates

Next date Location Price
Mon 22 DecLimehouse £495
Wed 24 DecOnline£495
Wed 21 JanBloomsbury £495
Fri 23 JanOnline£495
Fri 20 FebLimehouse £495
Tue 24 FebOnline£495

And 26 more dates...

Loading...

Loading content...

TrustPilot

star star star star star Excellent

Resources

Blog

Tutorials and discussions on MS Office

Hints & Tips

MS Office tips to save you time

Cheat sheets

MS Office shortcut keys for all versions

Infographics

Handy info on industry trends

Subscribe

Latest news & offers

Promotions

Latest Feedback

  • 98.70% customer recommendation
  • 99.19% training objectives met
  • 226,755 delegates trained
  • 14,566 organisations trained

Latest X / Tweet

  • Boost productivity & profitability with STL Training! 💼 ✅ No course cancellations 🖥️ Virtual or in-person in London 🍽️ Lunch included 📚 2 years of support This week: Word Intermediate—graphics, Excel data stl-training.co.uk/order/pricing_…t.co/QSQqMqK3Go
Loading...

Loading content...

Training manual sample

Below are some extracts from our Facilitation Skills – Level 1 manual.

Facilitation Skills

Navigating Effective Group Processes

Introduction to Facilitation

Facilitation is the art and science of guiding groups toward achieving their goals. Whether it’s a team meeting, a workshop, or a strategic planning session, a skilled facilitator plays a crucial role in creating a productive and collaborative environment. Here’s what you need to know:

Overview and Significance

  1. What Is Facilitation?
    • Facilitation involves leading group discussions, decision-making processes, and problem-solving sessions. It’s about enabling effective communication, collaboration, and consensus-building.
    • A facilitator is a neutral party who ensures that everyone’s voice is heard, encourages participation, and keeps discussions on track.
  2. Why Is Facilitation Important in Business?
    • Efficiency: Facilitated meetings are more efficient—they save time by focusing discussions and preventing tangents.
    • Quality: Facilitators help generate better ideas and solutions by encouraging diverse perspectives.
    • Engagement: Engaged participants lead to better outcomes and stronger team dynamics.
  3. Roles of a Facilitator:
    • Process Guide: Facilitators design and manage the meeting process.
    • Neutral Observer: They remain impartial and avoid taking sides.
    • Conflict Navigator: Facilitators address conflicts constructively.
    • Energy Manager: They maintain a positive atmosphere.

Core Skills of a Facilitator

  1. Active Listening:
    • Facilitators listen deeply to understand participants’ viewpoints.
    • Techniques: Paraphrasing, summarizing, and asking clarifying questions.
  2. Clarity in Communication:
    • Facilitators express ideas clearly and succinctly.
    • Techniques: Using simple language, avoiding jargon, and being concise.
  3. Constructive Feedback:
    • Facilitators provide feedback that encourages growth.
    • Techniques: The “sandwich” method (positive–constructive–positive) and specific, actionable feedback.
  4. Managing Group Dynamics:
    • Facilitators handle conflicts, power imbalances, and dominant personalities.
    • Techniques: Norm-setting, icebreakers, and ensuring equal participation.

Practical Application

  1. Interactive Scenarios:
    • Practice starting sessions: How to set the tone, establish ground rules, and create a safe space.
    • Focusing discussions: Techniques for keeping discussions relevant and avoiding distractions.
    • Driving group participation: Encouraging quieter participants and managing over-talkative ones.
  2. Real-Time Feedback:
    • Facilitators receive feedback during or after sessions.
    • Focus on adjustments: Continuously adapt based on group dynamics and emerging needs.

Designing and Leading Workshops

  1. Structuring Engaging Sessions:
    • Begin with an icebreaker or energizer.
    • Use a mix of presentation, discussion, and interactive activities.
    • End with a summary and action steps.
  2. Ensuring Inclusivity:
    • Create an environment where everyone feels valued.
    • Encourage diverse perspectives and avoid favoritism.

Remember, facilitation is both an art and a skill—one that improves with practice. As you develop your facilitation abilities, pay attention to group dynamics, adapt to different contexts, and foster collaboration.

Handling Challenges in Facilitation

1. Conflict Resolution Techniques:

  • Acknowledge and Address: When conflicts arise, acknowledge them openly. Encourage participants to express their perspectives.
  • Mediation: Facilitators can mediate between conflicting parties, helping them find common ground.
  • Win-Win Solutions: Aim for solutions that benefit everyone rather than taking sides.

2. Managing Difficult Participants:

  • The Dominator: Redirect their energy positively by asking for their input or giving them a specific role.
  • The Silent One: Encourage participation gently. Ask open-ended questions and create a safe space.
  • The Negative Nancy: Reframe negative comments into constructive feedback. Focus on solutions.

3. Overcoming Common Facilitation Barriers:

  • Time Management: Keep discussions on track. Use time limits for agenda items.
  • Groupthink: Encourage diverse viewpoints. Avoid premature consensus.
  • Resistance to Change: Address fears and concerns openly. Highlight benefits.

Creating Conditions for Effective Brainstorming and Decision-Making

  1. Brainstorming:
    • Divergent Thinking: Encourage wild ideas without judgment.
    • Convergent Thinking: Evaluate and refine ideas collaboratively.
    • Techniques: Mind mapping, nominal group technique, or brainwriting.
  2. Decision-Making:
    • Consensus: Aim for agreement, not unanimity.
    • Voting: Use when consensus isn’t feasible.
    • Pros and Cons: List advantages and disadvantages of options.

Developing a Facilitator’s Toolkit

  1. Constructing Action Plans and Agendas:
    • Identify Objectives: What do you want to achieve in the session?
    • Sequence Activities: Arrange topics logically.
    • Allocate Time: Be realistic about time needed for each item.
  2. Culminating Practice Session:
    • Apply What You’ve Learned: Facilitate a mock session.
    • Receive Feedback: Learn from the experience.
    • Reflect and Improve: Continuously refine your skills.
    •  

Feedback Loop: Continuous Improvement

Feedback is the fuel for growth. As a facilitator, seek feedback from both participants and fellow facilitators:

  • Participant Feedback:
    • Encourage participants to share their thoughts on your facilitation style, clarity, and engagement.
    • Use a feedback form or open discussion.
    • Be open to constructive criticism—it’s an opportunity to improve.
  • Self-Reflection:
    • After each session, reflect on what worked well and what could be better.
    • Consider:
      • Did you manage time effectively?
      • Were all voices heard?
      • How did you handle challenges?
  • Peer Feedback:
    • Connect with other facilitators.
    • Share experiences and learn from each other.
    • Offer feedback to help each other grow.

 

Connect with us:

0207 987 3777

Call for assistance

Request Callback

We will call you back

Server loaded in 0.7 secs.