The Secrets of Facilitation

Michael Wilkinson is founder and managing director for Leadership Strategies- The Facilitation Company, which specializes in facilitation training and in providing facilitators to lead executive retreats and task forces. He was named Facilitator of the Year by the Southeast Association of Facilitators in 2003 and is author of four books.

This thoroughly revised and updated edition of 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. This new edition includes new chapters that highlight such timely topics as: facilitating virtual meetings; facilitating very large groups; facilitating conferences; and building an internal facilitator capability. The book also offers new cross-cultural examples, and an ancillary website with forms, checklists and a sample facilitator guide. The revised edition of this facilitation classic offers a wealth of targeted techniques for facilitators who seek effective, consistent, and repeatable results. Based on Michael Wilkinson's proven SMART (Structured Meeting And Relating Techniques) approach, The Secrets of Facilitation can help to achieve stellar results when managing, presenting, teaching, planning, and selling, as well as other professional and personal situations.
This expanded edition includes new chapters on facilitating virtual meetings, cross-cultural teams, and large groups and conferences. It also provides a series of strategies for engaging teams, additional information about making meetings more productive, and further guidance on preventing dysfunctional behavior. In addition, the book contains a wealth of fresh case studies and an ancillary website with must-have tools and techniques for both the beginner and the seasoned facilitator.
Praise for the First Edition of The Secrets of 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, Herrmann Brain Dominance Indicator

INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND EDITION xvii
 
What's New in the Second Edition? xviii
 
Case Study: The Secrets in Action--How Two Practitioners Have Put the Secrets to Work xx
 
INTRODUCTION: A POWERFUL SECRET xxiii
 
I. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A FACILITATOR? 1
 
II. THE SECRETS TO QUESTIONING: DESIGN YOUR QUESTIONS TO GET BETTER ANSWERS 17
 
III. THE SECRETS TO PREPARING: KNOW YOUR 5 PS 37
 
IV. THE SECRETS TO STARTING: INFORM, EXCITE, EMPOWER, INVOLVE 57
 
V. THE SECRETS TO FOCUSING: ESTABLISH THE COURSE, AVOID DETOURS 79
 
VI. THE SECRETS TO RECORDING: THE POWER OF THE PEN--USE IT, DON'T ABUSE IT, MAKE IT THEIRS 101
 
VII. THE SECRETS TO INFORMATION GATHERING: KNOW YOUR TOOLS AND HOW TO USE THEM 123
 
VIII. THE SECRETS TO CLOSING: REVIEW, DEFINE, EVALUATE, END, DEBRIEF 155
 
IX. THE SECRETS TO MANAGING DYSFUNCTION: CONSCIOUS PREVENTION, EARLY DETECTION, CLEAN RESOLUTION 175
 
X. THE SECRETS TO CONSENSUS BUILDING: CREATE AND MAINTAIN A CONSENSUS-FOCUSED PROCESS 209
 
XI. THE SECRETS TO ENERGY: SET THE PACE, ANTICIPATE THE LULLS, REACT ACCORDINGLY 247
 
XII. THE SECRETS TO AGENDA SETTING: ADAPT YOUR AGENDA TO ADDRESS THE NEED 267
 
XIII. THE SECRETS TO FACILITATING VIRTUAL MEETINGS: KEEP EVERYONE FOCUSED AND ENGAGED 287
 
XIV. THE SECRETS TO FACILITATING LARGE GROUPS AND CONFERENCES: USE THE POWER OF PROCESS TO GUIDE AND ENGAGE 303
 
XV. THE SECRETS TO FACILITATING CROSS-CULTURAL GROUPS: RECOGNIZE YOUR OWN BIASES TO BETTER ADAPT TO THE CULTURE OF OTHERS 317
 
XVI. THE SECRETS TO BUILDING AN INTERNAL FACILITATOR CAPABILITY: BUILD THE CASE, RAISE AWARENESS 369
 
XVII. SPECIAL TOPICS 395
 
EPILOGUE 417
 
RESOURCE GUIDE FOR FACILITATORS 419
 
INDEX 435