Leading a team meeting when you are a part of the team is one of the biggest challenges you will encounter. Here are some tips for your success.
It is often difficult and sometimes unwise for the facilitator to participate in the team discussion content. For one thing, leading a lively discussion is a big job, and it’s very difficult to think about discussion content and process at the same time.
But there are some other very good reasons that you should consider carefully before jumping into team meeting content:
- The team needs to come up with its own answers — avoid the perception that you have unduly influenced them.
- Your credibility as a facilitator is tied strongly to your objectivity — don’t use your role as a platform for personal views.
- Teams need to be coached to be independent — don’t encourage the team to rely on your views and directions.
If a situation arises in which it is appropriate to offer some specific idea or input:
- Clearly step out of the facilitator’s role and state that you are doing so, for example: “I’m stepping out of the facilitator’s role to tell you about something I saw another team do when faced with a similar situation.”
- Lay down your marker or piece of chalk.
- After giving your input, resume the facilitator’s role and continue with the meeting.
- If the team doesn’t take your suggestion, don’t push it.
All of these tips and suggestions are intended to be useful, but the most important thing you need to remember and practice when leading team discussions is to:
Listen!
Listen for facts, listen for feelings, listen for unspoken concerns and questions, “listen” for nonverbal communications. Never stop listening.
Denise O’Berry (aka ‘Team Doc’) provides tools, tips and advice to help organizations build better teams. Find out more at http://www.teambuildingtips.com
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