MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Why Choose Us
    • Our Partners
  • Business Learning
    • Ready-Now Learning
    • Content Partner Programs
  • Contact Us
Picture

Style with Substance Makes Facilitation Work

9/27/2017

0 Comments

 
"This isn't flying, this is falling with style."  Buzz Lightyear
Picture
"Gee, Dan.  I like your facilitation style!"

Often, I get this response from my clients and program participants.  I wonder about it.  I wonder if this well-meaning comment is meant as a compliment.  I wonder if they get it.  I mean, "Style?"  Is that all you see in me?  Hmm.

A talented facilitator will make purposeful choices about how to approach an agenda, group, and goals.  They plan thoughtfully to engage the group in the material, the process, and the outcomes.  If this is done well, the group itself achieves its objectives.  Look here for more on professional facilitation.

The impact of the facilitators choices is significant.  First, the facilitator is helping learners and participants engage in the content.  We want them to remember things, right?  (See my earlier post on this.)  Beyond remembering, facilitators want true engagement with an expectation for follow through.  Follow through by his or her participants.  They make commitments and take actions.  That's the business value of participating and engaging.

Sure, style matters.  It's the sizzle with the steak.   It's the packaging.  It's the "likability factor."  Sure, I get that.  If they don't like you, they may not listen to you.

My choices in facilitating learning are purposefully meant to achieve:
  • Remembering.  I use spaced learning, forced recall, note taking (with pen and paper), review games, application exercises, and simulations to name a few.
  • Fun.  I keep discussion light and real.  I use questions and follow ups.  I put forth real-world problems for learners to solve.  I help learners discover their own insights into issues.
  • Performance.  My learners work harder than I do, and I work pretty hard.  I emphasize application with real world constraints and feedback.  The relevance of high-fidelity practices gives learners a jolt of energy and enthusiasm.  "Hey, I can do this!"
The impact of style is significant.  That said, style is what people often call thoughtful presentation, facilitation, and teaching techniques.  I hope it shows that the "style" they notice is actually effective instructional technique, based upon what we know that works.

​

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    "The views expressed here do not necessarily represent the unanimous views of all parts of my mind."
    - Malcolm McMahon

    Author

    Dan Topf, CPT is Sr. Vice President at MDI, Inc.

    Picture
    Follow @Dan_Topf

    Business Learning by Dan: Primers for Trainers

    PDF versions of short articles on how to integrate business acumen into all training and development:

    The Income Statement
    Cash Flow
    Price and Volume
    The Circulation of Capital
    The Cost of Capital
    Market Differentiation

    Industry-specific:
    Financial Services -- Life Insurance/Annuities
    Retailing

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    July 2020
    February 2020
    May 2019
    December 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    August 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    RSS Feed

Management Development International, Inc. | 860-478-3180 | 515-292-2602 | Windsor Locks, CT | Ames IA 
Photos used under Creative Commons from xamogelo, tim geers, kenteegardin, KellBailey, One Planet Living in Sutton, rodaniel, stavros karabinas, One Way Stock, dan taylor, Binder.donedat, KLGreenNYC, mynameisharsha, fontplaydotcom, fortes
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Why Choose Us
    • Our Partners
  • Business Learning
    • Ready-Now Learning
    • Content Partner Programs
  • Contact Us