Facilitated discussion

people sitting around a table in an office talking

Introduction

A facilitated discussion is a supported conversation between parties with the use of a facilitator.
The facilitator is able to help focus a discussion between parties to move forward.
The conversation can be utilised for various types of conversation, from a creative company strategy day through to resolving a conflict.

The role of the facilitator

The facilitator is a neutral party and does not impose solutions or make any judgements.
Instead they set ground rules, ask questions which will assist discussions, support the parties to find a suitable outcome, listen actively and summarise key points.

The process

Pre meet

  • All individuals will have a 1:1 pre meeting with the facilitator to explain their concerns, discuss the process and ask any questions for clarity.
    They will also identify an appropriate date, time and place for the facilitated discussion to occur.
  • The facilitated conversation
    The facilitated conversation brings parties together in a meeting, it allows for uninterrupted speaking time, an opportunity to discuss issues constructively or scope out exciting new ideas and mutually agree next steps.

The structure of the meeting:

  1. The parties will meet on an agreed up date to engage in the process led by the facilitator.
  2. Agree ground rules; mutual respect, courtesy, listening and any others suggested and agreed by both parties.
    Check in and desired outcome from the session.
  3. Talk time – all parties have uninterrupted talk time. During which they outline what the key issues are and the impact on them /or the business.
  4. The facilitator will summarise when everyone has finished talking and ask, if necessary, the impact/consequences or company vision.
  5. Problem solving or creative business scoping– when all the issues have been discussed, all parties should focus on problem solving or strategy planning to reach agreed objective.
  6. Parties decide whether it should be written. If written the agreement/process is emailed to both parties and any agreed third party.
  7. Close – check how all parties are feeling, were objectives achieved, and clarity about next steps. Follow up actions and timescales are agreed.
  8. Follow up – as agreed. All parties should feel happy about moving forward outside of this process otherwise there is the option to reconvene the facilitated conversation.

How we can help

Would your company or team members benefit from a facilitated discussion.
You may be experiencing a colleague conflict, you may need creative support on a strategy day or the company directors may be at logger heads.
Amanda Parvin is our experienced and flexible facilitator, who ‘feels her way’ through each situation to reach a positive and productive outcome.