WLD Guide to Facilitating_UMass Amherst 1 | Page 11

11  We can often deal with problems more effectively if we take a step back and consider what the apparently ‘difficult’ individual might need and whether we can offer it to them. We all bring a number of needs and wishes with us, whenever we work in a group, for example the need to be acknowledged, to connect with others, to learn something new. We usually can’t provide long term solutions to these needs in a workshop, but we can often help make someone’s experience better. For example, if some participants look bored during long presentations then a quick energizer and some more interactive activities might be all they need to get them interested again. Examples of common challenges facilitators might face: Dealing with over-participation You might find yourself faced with a small number of participants who dominate discussions. You can reduce the impact of this by planning your workshops with lots of tools for increasing participation. If you are having a full group discussion a simple tactic is to tell the group that you are prioritizing contributions from people who haven’t spoken much yet. Sometimes, people will dominate because the workshop isn’t meeting their needs. For example, you may be faced with someone who constantly interrupts to make their point, or who returns to the same subject over and over again, even though the discussion has moved on. These can be signs that your participant doesn’t feel that they’ve been heard and their opinion valued. Taking the time to actively listen and to offer a tentative restatement of their point can be all that is needed to help them move on. Bear in mind, though, that while some people are able to speak succinctly on a topic, others need longer to express themselves. Avoid jumping in with your summary too soon and try to foster patience for people who need a bit more time to get their ideas out. ...or under-participation Some people might not join in with discussions or other activities. This may not be a problem – they have chosen to be there and may learn well in an observer role. However, it may be that they want to participate more, and you could make it easier for them by changing what you are doing.