Key Traits of an Effective Facilitator

In facilitation, presence is just as critical, if not more so, than the structured activities we diligently plan. Drawing inspiration from a compelling analogy in Adrienne Marie Brown's "Holding Change," the concept of a facilitator 'breathing in public' emerges as a profound skill. It's a reminder that amidst the whirlwind of change, complex discussions, and the myriad challenges a session might present, our role extends beyond mere planning. The facilitator's calm, grounded demeanor is not just a personal trait but a beacon of stability for the group. This idea resonates deeply with the essence of facilitation. It's about creating an environment where participants feel supported and guided, not just through activities, but through the very energy we bring into the room. Our ability to remain composed and focused under pressure doesn't just benefit us; it sets a tone of resilience and mindfulness for everyone involved. It's a powerful model that encourages participants to mirror these qualities in their interactions, both within the session and in their broader professional lives. The impact of a facilitator's presence is multifaceted. It's about leading by example, showing that even in the midst of uncertainty, a steady hand can guide the ship. This approach goes beyond traditional facilitation techniques; it delves into the realm of emotional intelligence and personal leadership. I'm curious to hear your thoughts. How do you maintain a sense of calm and focus in your facilitation roles, especially in challenging situations? What strategies have you found effective in embodying this 'breathing in public' philosophy? #FacilitationSkills #Leadership #Mindfulness #ProfessionalDevelopment Audrey Thompson Sean Rowan Jane E. Fischer Amelia C. Melissa Drexler

Facilitation might be the world's most challenging communication skill. The weight of opposing forces would break most people: ✅ Giving the floor ➕ taking it back. ✅ Listening deeply ➕ guiding decisively. ✅ Following dialogue ➕ leading the discussion. ✅ Supporting arguments ➕ challenging perspectives. But it's not either/or. It’s the balance in between. And holding that tension in real time, under pressure, is what makes facilitation one of the hardest (but most rewarding) skills to master. Of course, it helps to have a few tricks up your sleeve: 𝟭. 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: “I’m glad you brought that in, Marie” 𝟮. 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲: "What I'm hearing you say is that” 𝟯. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆: “Help me understand . . . “ 𝟰. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁: “That actually ties back to what Nadav brought up earlier.” 𝟱. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: "There’s something rich in what you just said.” 𝟲. 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: “Who could offer a different perspective?” 𝟳. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: "This disagreement feels important. Let's explore it." 𝟴. 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: “I noticed a few folks nodding. Curious what’s stirring for you.” 𝟵. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗽𝘀: "If we ended here, what would be missing?", 𝟭𝟬. 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲: “Who could distill the key takeaway from all this?” But ultimately, the reward isn't smoother meetings or better outcomes. It’s creating the conditions where breakthrough thinking emerges, where teams find solutions they never knew existed, and where people leave feeling truly heard and valued.

Facilitate with finesse! Facilitating interactions, such as meetings, panels, and important conversations, is critical to success both in business and in life. Facilitation, when done well, can catalyze collaboration, increase learning, and bring people closer together. In my latest Stanford University Graduate School of Business video, you will learn the "5 P's of Effective Facilitation" that I teach my Essentials of Strategic Communication students. You can access the video via the link in the comments. Plan for Patterns: Facilitators need to rely on pattern recognition – the ability to notice the interconnected ways participants communicate. We can hone our pattern recognition by doing recon, reflection, and research in advance. We can ask ourselves: What topics are likely to come up? Is there a history to be aware of? Who likes to share and who is shy? Provide a clear Purpose: Defining and communicating our purpose -- what do we want our participants to know, keel, and do-- at the beginning of our communication helps align participants, prioritize what is said, and allows us to assess success at the end. Promise Psychological safety: Establishing and enforcing ground rules helps with this psychological safety. Setting these expectations early in the interaction or through a calendar invite in advance can help jump start interactions. Being sensitive to equity of involvement is also critical, especially when some participants may be in person and others are remote. To highlight participation equity, start conversations by referring to those who are not in the same location as you. Establish a positive Presence. By using inclusive language, we can invite participants and audience members into the conversation. Examples of inclusive phrases might be: When posing a topic: “As many of you know…” or when asking a question: “Many of us are wondering…”. You can also take a poll or invoke a shared experience everyone has previously had. Physical presence is also important for facilitation. Positioning yourself so everyone can see you and remaining open to the majority of people helps people feel involved. When gesturing, do so broadly and gesture toward the audience when you use inclusive phrases. Paraphrase ideas: Like a Swiss Army knife, paraphrasing can help you with many challenging tasks. Paraphrasing refers to taking a key concept or idea someone has said and highlighting it. Unlike a 5-year old who parrots back everything that is said, paraphrasing extracts the key essence of what is said and leverages it to solve communication conundrums. By utilizing these tools, you will be able to run better meetings, have more engaging panels, and connect better in your conversations. To learn more about honing and developing communication skills, please listen to Think Fast, Talk Smart the podcast wherever you get podcasts including YouTube. A big thank you to Kelsey Doyle and Marc Strong for producing this video.

Speeches I give in the privacy of my own mind after observing thousands of leaders over 20+ years: 1️⃣ "Your team isn't looking for a superhero. They're looking for someone who has the courage to admit they don’t have all the answers—and the humility to invite others to help find them." 2️⃣ "Facilitation isn’t just a skill; it’s leadership in action. The leaders who thrive today aren’t the loudest voices in the room—they’re the ones who amplify others’ voices." 3️⃣ "A meeting without outcomes is like a road trip without a map. It might be fun for a while, but eventually, everyone’s just lost." 4️⃣ "Facilitation is misunderstood because we undervalue listening and overvalue talking. If you want to lead effectively, start by mastering the art of the question—not the statement." Leadership isn’t about commanding attention; it’s about creating space for others to bring their best ideas forward. The best leaders I’ve seen don’t micromanage—they facilitate. They understand that their job isn’t to be the smartest person in the room but to make the room smarter. 💬 What’s one insight you’ve learned about leading more effectively? P.S. My book with Kat Koppett, The Facilitation Advantage, explores how facilitation isn’t just a tool—it’s the missing piece for leaders looking to elevate their impact. Curious? Let’s discuss.