These notes gives an overview to moderation/facilitation.
We add a short article from time to time ...
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The Facilitator / Moderator
The moderator / facilitator is the leader or guide of a group. His style of leading the group is marked by a very specific basic attitude that he “possesses” or strives for: He sees himself as a helper, even a servant of the group. On the basis of this fundamental understanding he does not say what (in his view) is right or wrong, what must or must not be done, but rather he helps the group to work under its own responsibility, i.e., to find its own answers to its questions or solutions to the problems, and wherever applicable to decide on measures that must be taken to solve these problems. He knows that he does not “know it all”!
The facilitator / moderator is a specialist in methodology but not an expert on the subject matter. It is his job to see to it that the group is capable of working and stays that way. He bears the responsibility for the group’s ability to work out results, but not for the quality of those results with regard to content. In addition to the pure techniques / methodology of facilitation / moderation, which will be described in detail in the following sections, the moderator / facilitator must direct the group process ...
“Let me help you out of the water before you drown!”
said the monkey amiably as he set the fish safely in a tree.
Josef W. Seifert
© MODERATIO 2007
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Just What is Moderation / Facilitation?
Over the last few decades, new concepts of how to manage people and how people would like to be managed have arisen, regardless of whether this involves members of a workgroup, members of a project group, or participants in a (problem-solving) discussion. Today as a rule, the leader is expected not to view himself as the one who dictates what is proper and what is to be done without involving those concerned. Rather he must let the group itself make its own decisions, or at least he must include its members’ knowledge, their conceps, and ideas in his decisions.
One method that helps leaders live up to this expectation has become very popular (and rightfully so!) in recent years: the facilitation / moderation method.
Moderation means a lessening of intensity or extremeness. In the case of the facilitation / moderation method it stands for:
- a specific basic attitude of the leader (moderator / facilitator)
- work in accordance with a certain methodology
- use of special aids and materials
The facilitation / moderation method is used today on the one hand for working in activities like quality circles, employee groups — in short, CIP (continuous improvement process) work* — and also when conducting workshops, taskforce meetings, discussions, etc.
Depending on the given circumstances, a complete “facilitation / moderation cycle” (SIX STEPS™) can take weeks, or it can be completed within as little as one hour.
Josef W. Seifert
© MODERATIO 2007