Details

Category: Communication

Published: Wednesday, 22 May 2013 12:19

Written by: Matt Pye - HWD

Overview

This practical and highly interactive course is designed to develop the skills needed to chair and facilitate meetings and working groups effectively.

Participants will explore how to structure productive discussions, encourage contribution from different perspectives and provide clear, authentic leadership. The course also considers how to manage dominant or disengaged participants, keep conversations focused and intervene assertively when meetings go off track.

Through practical exercises and realistic analytical workplace scenarios, participants will develop tools and techniques they can apply immediately in their day-to-day roles.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

• understand the respective roles of a chair and facilitator;
• know how to plan and structure an effective meeting or working group;
• be able to set clear objectives, expectations and ground rules;
• chair discussions with greater confidence and authority;
• encourage balanced participation and draw out quieter contributors;
• manage dominant, disruptive or disengaged participants;
• keep conversations focused and move groups towards clear outcomes;
• use questioning, summarising and reframing techniques effectively;
• handle disagreement and challenge constructively;
• close meetings with clear decisions, actions and responsibilities; and
• have practised their skills using realistic workplace situations.

Course Content

The course will cover:

• the role and responsibilities of the chair or facilitator;
• planning and preparing for meetings;
• setting objectives, agendas and ground rules;
• establishing credibility and authentic leadership;
• encouraging participation and inclusive discussion;
• managing different personalities and group dynamics;
• keeping discussions focused and on time;
• intervening assertively and constructively;
• managing disagreement, challenge and difficult behaviour;
• summarising discussions and testing understanding;
• reaching decisions and securing commitment; and
• agreeing clear actions and next steps.

Who Should Attend?

The course is suitable for analysts and other professionals who chair or facilitate meetings, project groups, working groups, workshops or cross-government discussions.