Aug 24, 2016

Facilitation is both an art and a science.

The art is the environment the skilled trainer/facilitator creates, and the science are the subtle practices they use to keep their training session focused, consultative and on-track.

To begin to create this environment, have a read of the ten practices below and see if, by implementing them, you can see a positive difference in your training sessions:

1. Make learners feel comfortable and relaxed by using an open, calm, patient, and approachable manner.
2. Provide private individual assistance and encouragement where necessary.
3. Check on individual progress, incorporating learners’ knowledge, practices and experience.
4. Provide ample time for practice, experimentation, and risk-taking.
5. Use concrete examples and demonstrations in conjunction with abstract concepts.
6. Feel comfortable about being interrupted many times.
7. Introduce new concepts and skills gradually, one at a time, in a variety of ways.
8. Continually recap, revise and focus on new concepts and skills while repeating parts of the previous one.
9. Place the learning in context of the ‘big picture’ to ensure that learners are familiar with where the skill sits in the larger framework.
10. Encourage learners to focus on the main skills rather than being concerned and frustrated about details and problems.

So, to create the appropriate balance between participants’ needs, learning theories, practice, and time, the trainer’s primary skills are listening and facilitation. This means the terrific trainer does less talking and more facilitation.

For more information, take a look at New Horizons' Leadership and Performance Enhancement training courses.