The Secrets of Facilitation: The S.M.A.R.T. Guide to Getting Results With Groups

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Michael Wilkinson

October 2004, Jossey-Bass Publishers, Hardcover, 320 pages, ISBN 0787975788


How to Prepare and Facilitate a Successful JAD Session
Introduction to Preparing and Facilitating JAR/JAD Sessions
How to Facilitate a Successful JAR/JAD Session
Business Analysis and Requirements Gathering Blitz
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The Secrets of Facilitation delivers a clear vision of facilitation excellence and reveals the specific techniques effective facilitators use to produce consistent, repeatable results with groups. Author Michael Wilkinson has trained thousands of managers, analysts, and consultants around the world to apply the power of SMART (Structured Meeting And Relating Techniques) facilitation to achieve amazing results with teams and task forces. He shows how anyone can use these proven group techniques in managing, presenting, teaching, planning, selling, and other professional as well as personal situations.

Using this resource as your guide you will learn how to

Ask questions that ignite a bonfire of responses
Dynamically address the three reasons people disagree
Resolve dysfunctional behavior in four stages
Build consensus in meetings with five strategies

In addition, The Secrets of Facilitation is chock-full of real-world learning from myriad case studies and sample dialogues. Written as a practical resource, the book's numerous tips and checklists can be put into immediate use. Keep The Secrets of Facilitation handy to help you

Get people excited and participating right from the beginning
Use specific follow-up questions to challenge or probe responses
Float an idea without disempowering the group
Keep the energy high over a multi-day session
Develop a custom process to meet a specific need
Gain commitment to action and not just involvement in the discussion

Introduction : a powerful secret 1
1 What is a facilitated session? 20
2 The secrets to questioning 30
3 The secrets to preparing 50
4 The secrets to starting 66
5 The secrets to focusing 84
6 The secrets to recording 104
7 The secrets to information gathering 124
8 The secrets to closing 154
9 The secrets to managing dysfunction 172
10 The secrets to consensus building 204
11 The secrets to energy 236
12 The secrets to agenda setting 252
13 Applying the secrets to special situations 269
Resource guide for facilitators 285
60 secrets of facilitation 295

Learn the Secrets of S.M.A.R.T. Facilitation

"One of the single most powerful processes is the ability to successfully lead a group to an impactful, actionable outcome. In The Secrets of Facilitation, beginning and experienced facilitators alike, will find tools to take their results to the next level."
—Jim Canfield, chief learning officer, TEC International

"This book shares 'The Secrets' that have been the basis of my facilitation practice for over a decade."
—Kerri McBride, past chair, International Association of Facilitators

"In my career, I've seen many, many facilitators. Michael Wilkinson is the best. 'The Secrets' explain why."
—Len Roberts, CEO, RadioShack

"We have trained over 100 leaders and business analysts in 'The Secrets.' Great facilitation works."
—Peter Scott, executive general manager, MLC—National Australia Bank

"At last there is a practical, hands-on guide for anyone who works with groups or teams. This book delivers!"
—Ann Herrmann-Nehdi, CEO, Herrmann International, Hermann Brain Dominance Indicator

"Michael Wilkinson is hands down the most talented and effective facilitator with whom I have ever worked or seen. He combines his proven facilitation techniques and approaches with a keen strategic and business sense to consistently produce performance-based results."
—Brian A. Gallagher, president and CEO, United Way of America

"As the superintendent of a school district in the middle of an intensive organizational reform, I know the importance of facilitative leadership. Anyone who is considering organizational change will welcome this precise, concise, and lucid guide."
—Beverly Hall, superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools

Michael Wilkinson is CEO of Leadership Strategies—The Facilitation Company (www.leadstrat.com), a national leader in facilitation training and providing organizations with professionals to lead executive retreats and task forces. He is founder of the National Facilitator Database (ww.nfdb.com) and one of the first five Certified Master Facilitators in the United States. He is a recurring speaker at regional and international facilitator conferences and frequently contributes to the industry newsletter, The Facilitator and other publications. Michael resides in Atlanta with his wife and two children.