Facilitator Qualities The aim of module is to explore the qualities required of a facilitator to successfully perform their role.

Every facilitator or presenter is unique. There will always be room to better express ones knowledge, skill or passion Everyone’s style has a place The art is to adapt the natural qualities of that style to fit the circumstances, environment and audience needs Aim of slide; A variety of quotes from people interviewed to set the tone.

In your own Experience Worst Facilitator Best Facilitator 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Best Facilitator 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Slide Aim; To create awareness of some of the best and worst skills a facilitator can demonstrate To create discussion and real examples of facilitator attributes Slide Outline; 5-8 minutes max. In small groups, ask each group to discuss and write down some of the best and worst presenter attributes that they have experienced. Ask groups to share some of them Choose certain points from each group and ask about the outcome of that attribute. What situation did that facilitator create with that skill or lack of skill ? Make sure to keep a balance of focus on negative and positive attributes. Tend more towards positive attributes to create the ‘what to do’ rather than ‘what not to do’. Add to and elaborate where necessary.

Some Philosophical Questions As a facilitator, is it important for you to express your philosophy during your presentation or is it more correct to remain neutral? If you remain neutral are you able to give valid opinions? If you express your philosophy during the workshop, does that inhibit the individual growth of others at the workshop? In small groups discuss what you believe to be the best approach to this issue….. Slide Aim; To explore some common philosophical questions regarding facilitation. To create discussion and thought about personal philosophy Slide Outline; Each new question will pop up with a ‘click’ Draw thoughts out of group and probe into the positive and negatives of each question After provoking some thought ask small groups to discuss and then present their answer with their reasons. Groups may not agree and people within groups may not agree with each other. (Expected because philosophy is a personal attribute). There is a good opportunity here to add wider philosophical questions e.g. questions that relate to approaches to coaching or to the NZ CoachApproach.

What is Leadership? In small groups discuss the effective qualities and style of the 3 world leaders below; Each photo will come up with an extra click of the mouse. Allow groups time to discuss leaders one at a time. Hitler is in the middle Dali Lama is on the left Dr Phil is on the right (American TV host and self help/life coach guru) (Meant to be humorous)

‘HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT CUP OF TEA’. Leadership Style In small groups, you are to present a 1 minute presentation to the whole group using one of 3 basic leadership styles. The topic is: ‘HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT CUP OF TEA’. Basic Leadership Styles; Submissive, Co-operative, Dictator Keep in mind, Most workshops are indoors. In many circumstances facilitators don’t have the opportunity to get people to actively perform the exercise. ( i.e a presentation on rowing technique may not involve actual rowing) Slide Aim; To develop practical examples of various styles of leadership and their effects. To demonstrate and practise different delivery styles Slide Outline; Ask the group questions to establish the 3 leadership styles and write these on the whiteboard. (It is assumed they will know this). You may want to link the styles back to slide 5. This is basically a role play. Small groups of approx. 4 people in each group. This will be quite time consuming. Allow 2 minutes for each presentation. Allow up to 8 minutes preparation. Presenter to nominate which group does which leadership style. Groups put together a quick outline of how they would present the topic in that particular leadership style. One person from the group shall present their approach to the whole group. Use the last point to reinforce that doing activities like this enhances learning. Activities should be in a familiar, relevant and relatively simple context. Using props, discussing scenarios and doing role plays etc. are good approaches when you can’t utilise a ‘real’ sporting environment.

Leadership Style Outcomes Submissive Co-operative Dictator Slide Aim; To analyse the impacts of the various leadership styles To increase awareness of the impact a simple change in style can have as a facilitator. Slide Outline; This slide (and/or the handout copies) can be used to summarise observations from the activity in slide 6 or as a separate activity. This can be done individually or in small groups (with presentation of findings) or through discussion and using a recorder on the whiteboard. Positive and negative outcomes of each style can be identified. Ask the whole group which style they think creates the best learning outcome and also which style generates the greatest future learning after the presentation. Ask which style they think is most appropriate for them in relation to the style of presentation they are likely to give

What style of leadership is most commonly used to give a presentation? Questions Can anyone think of examples where the three different styles of leadership shown in the last slide might be used to facilitate a workshop? What style of leadership is most commonly used to give a presentation? Slide Aim; To further increase awareness of use of appropriate leadership styles. (This slide reinforces previous slides because it is a danger area for most coaches who have moved into a facilitators role) Slide Outline; Questions will pop up on ‘click’ This will hopefully lead that group to find that the only real way to facilitate is through a co-operative style of leadership. It is possible to present a presentation in a command style. It is possible to use command style at the beginning when telling people where the exits and toilets are, and in outlining the workshop program. It is also possible to present the program in a co-operative manner.

What Attributes do Facilitators Need? HOW? WHO? KNOWLEDGE SKILLS QUALITIES & ATTITUDES Empathy Self awareness Non-judgemental Honesty Transparent Supportive Passionate Confident/charismatic Fair and objective Learner centred philosophy Learning principles Learning styles People EQ Coaching principles Leadership styles Facilitation competencies Tools, tricks of the trade Listening Observation (body lang) Workshop design Time management Providing feedback Presentation skills Self awareness Use of technology Facilitation of learning Modelling best practise Slide Aim; To provoke thought and discussion and increase awareness of skills needed to facilitate successfully To initiate analysis of importance of certain skills compared to the importance of a balance of skills (prioritising skills etc) Slide outline; Work in small groups This discussion will take time and should be given the time necessary as it is a key part of the module. Each line of skills will pop up on a ‘click’. Get groups to work out what qualities are desirable under the above fields. Ask groups to present their ideas. (Ask for reasons or examples to help to elaborate). The lists on the slide can be used as a summary (either one at a time or after all three fields have been discussed). Lists are examples, not all possible options.

What about in the following situations?: Conflict resolution Discussion If you were to choose one attribute that is most important, what would it be? What about in the following situations?: Conflict resolution Working with a small group of experts Giving a presentation on specific skills Slide Aim; To illustrate the requirement for a facilitator to be adaptable to all situations with a good balance of skills. Slide Outline; Ask the first question giving the groups a few minutes to discuss Follow up by clicking on the mouse to show a few other situations As a final question, ask what determines the dominant skills required in each moment, the answer should be something like “the situation” or the “audience needs”. This leads to a need to be prepared with the skills for all situations.

Balance SKILLS KNOWLEDGE QUALITIES & ATTITUDES Slide Aim; To illustrate the skill balance of a facilitator. Slide Outline; Ask the groups if they believe there is a need to have all the skills or is one group of skills more important. Ask individuals if they can identify any areas of personal strengths or weakness. Which areas are strong? Which areas could be developed further? The various triangles will move into the big one on each ‘click’. This represents the 3 areas of attributes coming together to make the complete facilitator. The blue triangle in the middle represents the balanced presenter/facilitator. Ask group to identify a point on the triangle that represents where they believe they sit. This has not a measure as it is subjective. In this diagram the “qualities and attitudes” is at the bottom suggesting that it is the attribute that the other 2 areas hinge on. Ask group if this is a correct assumption/statement?

Two Attitudes Towards Creating Learning “I know how to do it, if I show them how to do it they will be able to complete the task”. “I know how to do it, but I would rather give them the skills to find their own way to do it”. Slide Aim; To explore the theory of ‘empowerment’ and how it relates to facilitating Slide Outline; For each statement/attitude ask the group what some of the positives and negatives are for each. Remember to point out ‘how does it apply to facilitating etc’ Notes; In the first scenario, it is possible that people will learn the skill quicker but may struggle to apply it correctly. It can also limit participant growth etc In the second scenario, it may take longer for people to learn the skill, but they will learn exactly how it applies with their style etc. They may learn to apply skill with more impact and retain the learning better than if simply told how to do it.

Presenter vs Facilitator Environment Environment FACILITATOR Personal Presentation Personal Presentation Slide aim; To create awareness of the difference in role between a presenter and a facilitator. Slide Outline; In small groups approx. 4 people. Allow approx. 8 minutes. In small groups outline some of the differences between a presenter and facilitator. Can allocate one topic per group e.g. ‘Environment’ Environment is the room and surrounds etc Get groups to present their findings quickly at the end. Elaborate and expand if necessary. Ask group to give examples where relevant. PRESENTER Content & Delivery Content & Delivery

Facilitator Coach Athlete When Facilitating or Designing a Workshop, Whose Needs are Most Important? Is it your needs as the presenter/facilitator? Is it the people (coaches) who are attending the workshop? Is it the athlete who the coach will teach? Slide Aim; Identify who the end learner is. Slide Outline; This may lead into a discussion. The discussion will doubtfully come to an answer that the aim of any teaching/learning should be based around the end learner’s needs and aims. There is no exact answer, the point is how a workshop has to take into account of the intermediate and end user needs. Example; Increasing the knowledge of a coach is of no use unless you give the coach the skills to pass on the knowledge to the athlete. Facilitator Coach Athlete

In Summary What is the role of a facilitator? Do facilitators really need many skills and attributes or is their role to present information and ask probing questions? What are the key areas you have identified for your own further personal development as a facilitator? Slide Aim; To get individuals to outline what they think is the role of a facilitator. Get them to write down their personal philosophy for facilitating Slide Outline; Ask individuals to answer the questions. (Writing down answers). Ask if anyone would like to present their ideas. It is probably best not to give feedback. Point out it would be interesting to look at answering the same question in a years time.