Do you think of yourself as a facilitator?
As chamber executives aren't we in the business of facilitating everyday?
Yes, we are and those that have mastered this art are the successful chamber executives across the country.
As chamber executives aren't we in the business of facilitating everyday?
Yes, we are and those that have mastered this art are the successful chamber executives across the country.
Whether
it's at your monthly board meeting or connecting your members with each other,
you're facilitating. That's the business we're in.
There is an art to facilitation. After reading many articles on the subject, the following themes ring true for me:
There is an art to facilitation. After reading many articles on the subject, the following themes ring true for me:
- A good listener
- Understand what your members are asking of you
- Getting input from all relevant constituents
- Drawing out people who are hesitant to speak up
- And finally, connecting the dots for all constituents/members
A good facilitator keeps the discussion going in the right direction without interjecting their personal views. That's the key in my view of any effective facilitator.
Think back to the many sessions you've attended where you had a facilitator. What attributes of the presenter did you like? Which did you not?
Spend the time to hone your skills in this great art. Your chamber will be better off for it.
For a great resource on facilitation go to the International Association of Facilitators.
