Facilitation - More Essential Than Expected; More Complex Than We Would Wish

A facilitator is one who plans, guides, and manages the dynamics of people's contributions to generate value, make decisions, and achieve required objectives. We naturally understand a facilitator's role in specific conditions where leadership is a formal part of the structure of the event. However, facilitation, as noticed by Tami Dubi, is a basic KM requirement, taking place in almost every context and condition.

Arthur Shelley led us today in Knowledge Management Global Network's Collaboration course, facilitating us through the journey of deepening our understanding of this topic.

Facilitation may seem like a simple task, but unfortunately, it is just the opposite! It is all about balancing the roles of socialization and control. A low level of control can lead to chaos and no results; a low level of socialization may lead to decisions but to decreased results and decreased levels of belonging. The facilitator must strive for such a balance by creating conversation, questions, contributions, creative fiction, mind flex, and... flow.

Socialization actions may include:

Welcoming, guiding, motivating, encouraging, engaging, asking, empowering, connecting, enabling, listening, clarifying, highlighting, praising, adapting, navigating, coaching, participating, questioning, respecting, remoting, partnering, reflecting, communicating.

 Controlling actions may include:

Planning, preparing, directing, delegating, resolving, "reading" the room, managing (time/resources), challenging, capturing, documenting, summarizing, task-mastering.

As much as it sounds impossible and an "art," it can be taught, experienced, and improved. Try it; you won't regret it.