Herding Cats in a Conference Room: The Benefits of Meeting Facilitation

As a veteran meeting facilitator, I’ve witnessed a myriad of group dynamics. Some teams work together like a well-oiled machine and some clunk along struggling to find ways to come together productively. Not every meeting needs a facilitator, but when an organization is facing a major change, tackling a weighty subject, or bringing together diverse viewpoints, a facilitator can keep the meeting on track and action-oriented without getting bogged down in personalities and irrelevant discussion. Here are some articles that explain who can benefit from a facilitator, what facilitators do during meetings, and how you can be part of your facilitated meeting’s success.

Who needs a facilitator? High stakes meetings and organizations with diverse personalities can benefit greatly from a facilitator’s impartiality.

What does a facilitator do? “A facilitator is different from a trainer or a motivational speaker. Neither are they a subject matter expert. A facilitator will understand what you are trying to achieve and guide you through a process. A facilitator does not become involved in the content of the meeting.”

How do you prepare for a facilitated meeting? Clarify what you want to get out of the meeting, and be able to state the goal in one sentence. A great meeting starts with a great plan, and a facilitator can help create the path to success.