Virtual Facilitation

The covid-19 crisis accelerated virtual collaboration exponentially, creating an instant need for virtual facilitation skills. People and organizations have started on this journey, but do not yet have the experience and competencies to use this medium for effective and energetic collaboration. Virtual Facilitation will show you how to have successful virtual events, virtual meetings, virtual workshops and training. Packed full of tips, insights and real case studies, the author's practical approach to virtual facilitation will show you how to effectively learn the skills needed to suceed. This book will also cover: The role of the facilitator, and what is expected The design of the process How to avoid common mistakes Implementation and influencing behaviour Virtual Facilitation will show you how to plan for virtual events, how to develop skills to be able to host virtual meetings, virtual courses, virtual training, virtual workshops, and virtual larger events to meet 21st century needs.

Sponsored by the International Association of Facilitators, TheIAF Handbook of Group Facilitation offers the need-to-knowbasics in the field brought together by fifty leading practitionersand scholars. This indispensable resource includes successfulstrategies and methods, foundations, and resources for anyone whoworks with groups. The IAF Handbook of GroupFacilitation provides an overview of the field for new andaspiring practitioners and a reliable reference for experiencedgroup facilitators, including chapters on Creating positive ongoing client relationships Building trust and improving communications Facilitating group brainstorming sessions Drawing out the best in people Developing a collaborative environment Designing and facilitating dialogue Managing conflicting agendas Working with multicultural groups Using improvisation Understanding virtual meetings Facilitating team start-up Assessing group decision processes Building expertise in facilitation Reviewing core facilitation competencies Modeling positive professional attitudes

This book provides a compact and well-founded set of facilitation skills for all who want to successfully lead meetings, workshops or project rounds. In this way, it is possible to guide the respective communication process to results in a focused, effective and efficient manner - whether online or face-to-face. Stefan Gross shows how guiding questions, methodical impulses, differentiated perception, a clear attitude and specific formats of participation help to achieve sustainable and smart results in groups. "This practical book provides a contemporary handout for the many challenges facing dynamic facilitation." Kai Beiderwellen, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences "The book is an invitation to deepen and reflexively develop one's own role." Wolfgang Widulle, Socialnet.de

Help groups deliver results with an updated approach to facilitation and consulting The Skilled Facilitator: A Comprehensive Resource for Consultants, Facilitators, Trainers, and Coaches, Third Edition is a fundamental resource for consultants, facilitators, coaches, trainers, and anyone who helps groups realize their creative and problem-solving potential. This new edition includes updated content based on the latest research and revised models of group effectiveness and mutual learning. Roger M. Schwarz shows how to use the Skilled Facilitator approach to: boost improvement processes such as Six Sigma and Lean, create a psychologically safe learning environment for training, and help coaches work with teams and individuals in real-time. This edition features a new chapter that explains how to facilitate virtual teams using conferencing technology. Facilitation skills are essential in many kinds of work, and if you are looking to bring your skills up to date it is critical that you rely on trusted information like the knowledge offered in this go-to reference. Develop the facilitative mentality and skills that enable you to help groups get better results, even in the most challenging situations Help groups achieve greater performances, stronger working relationships, and higher levels of individual well-being Quickly develop productive and trusting work relationships with the groups you help Establish the functions of your facilitative role Implement a research-based, systematic approach to diagnose and intervene in groups and improve their performance and results The Skilled Facilitator is a practical resource for corporate, government, non-profit, and educational practitioners, as well as graduate students in group-focused programs. This edition contains up-to-date material, based on recent studies, to help facilitators move beyond arbitrary tactics to utilize cutting edge, research-based strategies that improve group processes, relationships, mindsets, and outcomes.

Surpass the Basics of Virtual Training Next Level Virtual Training, by Diana L. Howles, has received awards from Axiom Business Book Awards, Goody Business Book Awards, and North American Book Awards. As virtual training continues as a go-to, effective learning option, and platform providers improve functionality, trainers and facilitators need to take their skills to the next level. Written by expert facilitator Diana L. Howles, this book goes beyond the basics of virtual training and online synchronous instruction, providing in-depth insights into advanced challenges. Next Level Virtual Training introduces the Virtual Trainer Capability Model, which identifies eight areas of expertise for the top virtual professional. A train-the-virtual-trainer resource, this book will guide you developing the specific knowledge and skills to facilitate online interactivity, manage multitasking, be technically fluent, oversee logistics and troubleshooting, leverage your voice, and engage virtual learners. Importantly, this book is about actionable tips, strategies, and techniques rather than the technologies. Inside you’ll find comprehensive chapters on developing on-camera competence; applying learning experience design to live online learning; and preparing for the combination of onsite and online learners together in a post-pandemic hybrid work environment. Whether you are a virtual trainer, a live online facilitator, a synchronous educator, an online adult education instructor, this book is for you. It is also for designers, developers, evaluators, and producers of virtual learning.

Facilitate Groups That Deliver Results Every professional businessperson needs a complete portfolio of skills, yet one area is often taken for granted: the art of facilitation. This book takes the guesswork out of this essential skill and gives you a step-by-step process for becoming an accomplished and successful facilitator. As a facilitator, your job is to remain neutral while helping others achieve common objectives. To do this, you need tools and techniques to deal with a wide variety of group meeting situations. In 10 Steps to Successful Facilitation, you’ll find everything you need, including A wealth of methods and ideas to engage participants Strategies for handling conflict and creating a collaborative climate Tips for using media and technology effectively This second edition features updates to each step, reorganized to align with the problems facilitators face today, such as the increasing prevalence of virtual meetings. You’ll have the help you need to act as a catalyst for progress, enabling others to focus on key issues, arrive at appropriate solutions, and build sustainable agreements. With this book as your roadmap, you can be thoroughly prepared for the role of facilitator, ready to cultivate cooperation and understanding among individuals and assist your organization in developing shared solutions to its challenges.

·What are the characteristics of a successful learning community? ·How are successful communities facilitated and maintained? ·What lessons can be learnt from existing learning communities? ·What type of learning community will suit your organisation or situation? This user-friendly guide is written to help managers, professionals and learners, planning, facilitating or participating in online learning communities, as part of a structured learning programme, as an approach to continuous professional development, as a means of improving performance at work or as a dynamic approach to innovation and collaborative working. The book is relevant to senior mangers with a responsibility for strategic planning and change management. This can include new work practices involving working in multi-professional teams across traditional boundaries. It aims to engage readers in identifying key issues in relation to their own work situation and prompts readers to find their own solutions. Virtual Learning Communities provides practical guidance and includes extensive examples, case studies and activities. It is key reading for those involved in e-learning courses, professional trainers and staff developers with a responsibility for CPD, and professionals involved in facilitating new approaches to group work.

World renowned facilitation, group and meetings dynamics guru explains how to run great meetings. Dr Dale Hunter's classic guide includes all the latest findings and research on facilitation. Written by an international expert, it's the go-to sourcebook for people involved in human resources, management, mediation, team leadership, performance management and individual and team coaching. If you're someone who is responsible for effective group and inter-personal dynamics, this is the Bible. "Interpersonal dynamics can unravel the best of managerial intentions. Worse still, a little knowledge in untrained hands can lead to managers manufacturing consent and manipulating people to agree to management goals. Hunter’s book is a sobering reminder of how many managers, directors and business leaders are stumbling about in the dark with very few skills when it comes to unlocking individual and group potential. ... The Art of Facilitation will sit comfortably on the bookshelf of anyone wanting to learn more about harnessing group energy to attain a common goal." Ruth le Pla, Management Magazine, May 2007