When Should I Use A Facilitator?
Below are some examples of situations where a professional facilitator would greatly benefit the group.
- When the results of the meeting are critical to the success of the enterprise, and there will be a variety of views in the room.
- When there are many strong opinions in the room and consensus is required.
- When there are no apparent good answers, and you need to find new, creative solutions.
- When the meeting leader is strongly vested in a particular position, but wants to hear and be receptive to other possible alternatives.
- When the team needs to feel ownership of the solution.
- When neutral party guidance is necessary to build trust or get full participation.
- When the desired outcome of the meeting or the work process needed to reach the desired outcome is unclear or ill defined.
- When you lack the internal experience or expertise to manage and guide the group through the work process (e.g., strategic planning, process improvement).