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Facilitation in Action

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Facilitation in Action

Finding Your Authentic Training Style

ATD (Association for Talent Development),

15 min read
9 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Become a better facilitator by asking the right questions, encouraging feedback, and creating inclusive environments.

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Do you want to be a more effective facilitator? In this practical guide, authors Carrie Addington, Darryl Wyles, Jared Douglas, and Nikki O’Keeffe offer a wealth of ideas and examples to help you boost your facilitation skills. They emphasize creating “meaningful connections” through powerful questions and attuning yourself to “learners’ needs.” The authors also provide actionable advice on preparing the learning environment, mastering content, providing and soliciting feedback, adapting facilitation styles across various modalities, encouraging active participation, and fostering inclusiveness.

Summary

Actively engage your learners.

Aspiring trainers should seek opportunities to train in new areas, pushing their boundaries and expanding their expertise.

Observe experienced facilitators to gain insight into different styles and techniques. Review the literature on facilitation to gather new ideas and perspectives. Self-assess your facilitation skills to understand your strengths and growth opportunities.

Boost learners’ abilities by asking questions that emphasize what learners need to succeed rather than what tasks they have completed. For example, instead of asking learners if they have finished a specific task, ask, “What resources or support would help you achieve greater success in this area?”

A responsive or adaptive pivot in a learning environment involves modifying your teaching approach or content based on real-time feedback or observable reactions from learners. For example, if a facilitator notices that participants seem confused or disengaged during a complex topic, the facilitator should pause to ask clarifying questions, provide additional examples, or switch to a more interactive format, such as a group discussion or hands...

About the Authors

Carrie Addington serves as a senior manager of learning experience at AT&T. Jared Douglas is an internal ATD facilitator. Nikki O’Keefe is a program manager of facilitator development at AT&T. Darryl Wyles is a facilitator for ATD.

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