Most professionals relate leadership skills with topics like conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, people management, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and project management. Most of us don’t think of facilitation skills, but we should.
The Association for Talent Development describes facilitation as the process of involving participants in the process of creating, finding, and applying learning insights. Facilitation is not just a nice-to-have addition that makes people feel good; it is a vital tool for efficient management.
Facilitation is a highly effective leadership technique that has been shown repeatedly. To tap into the individual potential, facilitators use an inclusive style. According to the International Association of Facilitators, today’s workplace demands leaders to embrace a more facilitative style. Today’s leaders must be facilitators, says Vinay Kumar, Chair of IAF.
Facilitation skills are essential because they help leaders find the right balance between focusing on the task and the individuals they’re working with. Perhaps the best leaders can push their team to do its best work while also building and nurturing authentic relationships. Most of us are naturally connected to be more focused on a task or a relationship, but facilitation skills can help us learn how to be more balanced.
Many hours are spent in meetings and group discussions by leaders. Few people devote the time required to improve their effectiveness. Take a course on conducting virtual meetings or facilitation skills if you haven’t done so.
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