This person is constantly have side conversations. When dealing with a side conversationalist, you should: Ignore it first. If you can’t ignore it or it’s too disruptive: Make eye contact with him/her. Confront him/her directly. Ask him or her to […]

The dominator wants control and can immediately monopolize the group. When dealing with a dominator, you should: Don’t let them take over. Use humor. Speak with the personal privately over break. Ask others in the group if they have any […]

Poor sportsmanship or a negative attitude can wear off on others and set a poor tone for all students. Someone who is a poor sport typically doesn’t want to admit when s/he is wrong. When dealing with a poor sport, […]

The rambler (also known as the storyteller) may be taking valuable time away from your schedule and may be hindering others from learning. When dealing with a rambler, you should: Cut in. Summarize the comments and move on. Ask for […]

The expert may challenge your authority, argue with others, or want recognition as an expert. When dealing with an expert, you should: Acknowledge comments without getting defensive. Ask the group for other opinions. Play on his/her expertise. Invite/recognize  the experts […]

 Roles │ Responsibilities │ Do’s and Don’ts │ Tips │ Listening

Stay relaxed in your overall manner – this shows you are comfortable with the situation. Be aware of body language and nonverbal behavior. Listen for feeling as well as content – what’s “between the lines”? Don’t confuse content and delivery […]

Communication skills are critical for a facilitator. How you communicate, aside from the substance of the event, can make a difference in gaining support and moving things slong efficiently and effectively. Some skill points for communicating include the following: Active […]

Keep sessions focused on the subject of discussions or on dealing with the problem at hand. Remind participants to consider the broader context of the topics/issues. Provide a neutral perspective and manage the process. Move the session along in a […]

Help the group clarify its goals or desired outcomes. Help group members use the same tool at the same time on the same problem to accomplish its goals or outcomes. Sometimes this involvement means helping the group change directions and […]