Developing Facilitation Skills

The programmes within this Communication pillar are not “off-the-shelf” courses. They are designed as a menu of development options that can be combined, adapted and shaped to reflect what is really happening inside your organisation. What initially presents as a “communication problem” frequently turns out to be something deeper – a question of confidence, trust, conflict, influence or clarity of management.

These outlines are therefore best read as catalysts for discussion – prompts to help you reflect on how people currently communicate, where friction or misunderstanding arises and what kind of development will genuinely shift behaviour. In practice, the most effective solutions often draw on complementary elements from across our other pillars – Personal Development, Management and Leadership, Business Development and Senior-Level Leadership and Talent Development. Every intervention we deliver is built in partnership with you, around your culture, your people and the outcomes you need to achieve.

By the end of this programme participants will be able to:

• Explain the role of facilitation in group performance and decision-making
• Define and apply core facilitation principles and techniques
• Plan and structure sessions to meet clear objectives
• Encourage engagement and equal contribution
• Recognise and respond to challenging group behaviours
• Use active listening and empathy to build trust and rapport
• Evaluate facilitation success and identify improvement opportunities

1. Introduction to Facilitation

• The purpose of facilitation and its impact on group outcomes
• Core skills and facilitator mindset

2. Planning and Structuring Sessions

• Setting objectives and designing an effective agenda
• Selecting activities that support productive discussion

3. Encouraging Participation

• Communication strategies that include and engage
• Creating a safe environment for diverse viewpoints

4. Managing Group Dynamics and Conflict

• Understanding typical group behaviours
• Techniques to handle resistance and challenging interactions

5. Communication Skills for Facilitators

• Active listening and summarising
• Empathy and rapport-building to support collaboration

6. Measuring Facilitation Effectiveness

• Gathering feedback and self-reflection
• Continuous improvement of facilitation capability

There are no specific prerequisites for this course.

Attendees may also be subsequently interested in

• Human Relations and Interpersonal Skills
• Effective Storytelling

Ideal for individuals who lead discussions or support collaboration, including:

• Managers, team leaders and supervisors
• Trainers, educators and project professionals
• Anyone looking to improve participation and productivity in group settings

Applicable across all roles, levels and industries.