Paraphrasing
What is paraphrasing? Paraphrasing is repeating what somebody has said, using your own words. Why use paraphrasing? Benefits for the facilitator The technique forces you to listen very carefully, because when the person has finished speaking, you know that…
DIGA – Experiential Learning Cycle
There are several debrief methods to choose from and DIGA is one we used while training hundreds of facilitators to be more effective because of the simplicity of the questioning that could lead to marvelous discovery. DIGA was first introduced…
Facilitative Behaviors
The key to a good facilitation is to let the group discover the lesson that is appropriate. As the facilitator, do not manipulate or guide the discussion with leading questions to get the group to discover what YOU feel is…
Maintenance Techniques to Get People Back on Track
Facilitative behaviors used during a discussion to help people get back on track: Throw-Back: Team Member: “It is not possible get through this obstacle!” Facilitator: “If it was possible, what would need to happen?” [hr] Share Observations: Facilitator: “It…
Ladder of Inference
Chris Argyris (1990) describes the progressive process of making observations, gathering information, making assumptions, and deciding action as being similar to climbing up on a "ladder of inference." This concept was later used by Peter Senge in The Fifth…
Don't 'We' on Yourself!
A fun way to keep the debrief light is to start getting people to notice how often we use the non-specific noun ‘We’, which we all do frequently when really we mean ‘I’. It is one particular way to spread…
Clarity Techniques
Facilitators use these techniques to reflect verbiage back to participants. Do not judge their words, simply be a mirror for them to judge their own words. Be careful not to 'throw' the responses in their face and always be polite,…