As we know, there is a difference between training and facilitation. While the former requires us to be the subject matter expert and share our knowledge with the class, the latter focuses on facilitating discussions and helping the group reach their own answers. However, we can successfully use a blend of the two to deliver corporate training programs. In fact, that’s the style we as a corporate training company love to use. How? Let’s find out…
Facilitating a corporate training workshop
Some extremely important points that we need to keep in mind while facilitating a corporate training program are:
Being Centred
This is essential. You have to be comfortable in your shoes and your skin. Why shoes? Because facilitation get be a little uncomfortable when you are not a subject matter expert and the class is using jargons and concepts that are going above your head! And why skin? Because only when you are comfortable being who you are can you remain at equipoise and stay calm and composed no matter what the session may offer you.
Present Moment Awareness
Corporate training programs tend to carry many unknowns with them. Technology can start playing up at the wrong time, discussions may go beyond the time you planned for them, conflicts may suddenly erupt, or you might simply have a participant or two that make things difficult for you! Whatever the case, you need to be able to manage it well. And for that, you need to be well grounded in the present moment. It will help you manage any anxiety that may pop up with regards to how you will accomplish the required objectives in such times or the memory of similar situations you may have faced in the past. You will be able to take each moment at a time and focus on doing what’s best in it rather than getting overwhelmed by what’s happening.
Assertiveness
Being the facilitator of a corporate training program, you automatically become the designated leader at the start of the session. Therefore, its important that you feel and behave like the leader and continue this trend during the rest of the session. However, you must be careful to be an assertive leader and not an aggressive one. You don’t want to discourage participants or close any important discussions abruptly because of your behaviour. On the other hand, you can’t be overly friendly either. Some participants may have a tendency to take over and this could compromise your position as the leader.
There are tons of other points that a good facilitator needs to keep in mind while facilitating a corporate training workshop. But I would love to facilitate a discussion on that rather than me only sharing my knowledge, what say? 😉
