Communication Principles
To be a good communicator requires skills both as a sender, and as a receiver or listener.
It is essential that a facilitator ensures there is clear two-way communication at all times by:
- Encouraging others to express their ideas and feelings.
- Making sure that, as a facilitator, you are a reflective listener.
- Practicing attending skills.
- Being aware that people communicate in non-verbal ways
- Being assertive, but not aggressive.
- Avoid ‘putting down’, sounding superior, ridiculing or patronising to members of the groups.
Group dynamics
There is always potential for challenging obstacles when facilitating. They include personalities that may clash within the group, aggressive or unacceptable behaviour by one or several learners, or an overly talkative learner who may even seek to gain control of the conversation.
It is important to gain general agreement on ground rules before beginning the session. This helps establish appropriateness at the outset. If distractions occur, politely remind learners of the agreed upon ground rules. If antagonistic behaviour occurs, whether from a person trying to control the discussion or one who consistently argues with the facilitator, it is the facilitator’s challenge to bring the task back on track.
There are a number of strategies to engage a difficult learner.
- Do not react to ‘smart talk’ and comments.
- Remain confident and humorous.
- Gain rapport by sharing experiences.
- Do not set participants up for failure.
- Don’t respond sarcastically to staff comments or suggestions.
- Remain patient.
