Group discussions are where much of the creative work of teams is accomplished. Ideas and problem solutions from all team members are the desired outputs of group discussions. However, even experienced facilitators find leading team discussions a challenge, especially when issues are controversial and emotional.
So as the team facilitator, what do you do?
Though a facilitator's primary objective is to help the team come up with its own answers, that's tough when you are part of the team. And one of the hardest things to do is to get the discussion going in the right direction. The team facilitator is the catalyst that starts the ball rolling. You can't leave it up to the team to figure out how to get started talking.
Here are some tips to help you out so your team begins their discussion on the right foot. Try different approaches to see what works for you.
* Before beginning, ensure each team member can see and hear everyone else.
* Establish a time limit for the discussion.
* Use open-ended questions to get the ball rolling (e.g., "What has been your experience with??" - or - "What are your thoughts about??")
* Ask one question at a time. Have questions in a logical order.
* Give team members time to think and respond. Pause for at least 15 seconds before giving additional guidance or direction.
* If necessary, rephrase your question or provide examples for clarification.
* When team members respond, encourage them to speak to the full group, rather than back to you.
* Try "Brainwriting" when the team needs to develop a list of things. For example, ask everyone to jot down 2-3 reasons why a certain problem exists.
* Have team members respond to their neighbors, or work in threes, on a question or issue. Each group should then report its results back to the whole team.
* Ask team members to make an "educated guess." For example, if the team is trying to implement ways to reduce errors, ask them to guess the average amount of time a person spends resolving errors made by someone else.
Denise O'Berry (aka 'Team Doc') provides tools, tips and advice to help organizations build better teams. Find out more at http://www.teambuildingtips.com
Why do some teams perform well while others struggle? How... Read More
The Dance of ConflictWhen faced with the prospect of meeting... Read More
This sports cliche is a memorable phrase that reminds people... Read More
A grassy field, two nets, a soccer ball and some... Read More
Most believe that leadership is an innate quality that some... Read More
Recently, while developing a customer service program, I asked my... Read More
Truth on mlmDid you know that the truth on mlm... Read More
Too often teams aren't assembled. They just happen. A project... Read More
Teams, teams, teams. They're all the rage these days. Whether... Read More
The first in a series of articles giving a slightly... Read More
As I work with clients to strengthen their teams and... Read More
12 Tips and Reminders for Team Members To Enjoy Their... Read More
Team Building Question:A team is full of animosity, pretended interpersonal... Read More
The second in a series of 2 articles giving a... Read More
Consensus is the appropriate decision strategy for the most important... Read More
Feedback:Most experts agree both types; constructive and positive feedback are... Read More
Introduction:Working with teams, whether as leader of a single team... Read More
One of the best ways to ensure that your planning... Read More
Group discussions are where much of the creative work of... Read More
In a recent group coaching session, a client mentioned that... Read More
Over the years there has been much ado about team... Read More
The Fantasy: Your marketing budget is packed to the brim... Read More
For a brief time, I tried to sell life insurance.... Read More
Last month's edition of Footprints and Monuments illustrated a parallel... Read More
We exist in such a rapidly-changing environment. Technology is moving... Read More
Ever watched a really brilliant idea meet with resistance and... Read More
Irrespective of any given situation, "Team Work Works!" It is... Read More
"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common... Read More
One of the best lessons I have learned is the... Read More
Someone once said - "Feedback is the breakfast of champions."... Read More
It's not true in every organization, but it is true... Read More
It's all about focusing on where the best value in... Read More
At a time when many companies are scaling down their... Read More
The Dance of ConflictWhen faced with the prospect of meeting... Read More
As the world of manufacturing has become increasingly competitive, managers... Read More
Leaders are faced with unlocking the potential in the people... Read More
Did you know your work environment can actually make you... Read More
Irrespective of any given situation, "Team Work Works!" It is... Read More
Too often teams aren't assembled. They just happen. A project... Read More
Project Head Start has been successful not only for the... Read More
So much has been written on this subject; Team Work,... Read More
Do you remember how you felt after your last interaction... Read More
Team Building Question:Our office has recently learned that about 20... Read More
Someone once said - "Feedback is the breakfast of champions."... Read More
I'm often asked, "Why is my team always fighting fires... Read More
Everyone knows, works or lives with "innies." Who are they... Read More
I declared a Communications Major two years into school, after... Read More
Just today my partner Russ and I sat down to... Read More
It's the summer of 1973, and a young film director... Read More
Today, most of us have been involved in a team... Read More
1. Humor reduces stress levels and stress is the number... Read More
Why do some teams perform well while others struggle? How... Read More
12 Tips and Reminders for Team Members To Enjoy Their... Read More
For companies to be competitive, decisions have to be made... Read More
Internal business structures have been radically transformed over the past... Read More
It's a great sunny day so it's time to get... Read More
In most organisations the administration/support team, although they can be... Read More
The ability to build effective teams is a must for... Read More
Any x by y matrix plan has one big risk...... Read More
A tight knit team is a group of competent individuals... Read More
One of the best lessons I have learned is the... Read More
Most managers simply herd some people in a room with... Read More
Multiculturalism is a reality in North America and for those... Read More
There are few industries or service type businesses, which are... Read More
One of the best ways to ensure that your planning... Read More
The world of work has changed. It used to be... Read More
Team Building |