Why Is Facilitation Important?

Perhaps the least understood and most under appreciated skills in the modern workplace is the set of interpersonal skills between an individual and a group.

We all learn (well, most of us) at an early age the etiquette of interacting with another individual, be it our mother, sibling, friend, boss, or clerk at the store. Few of us seek out and master the art and science of interacting with a group.

Those that do seek out and master one-on-group dynamics are rare birds and often our most admired social figures. Politicians, preachers, and few others are intentionally in front of groups.

Rarer than public figures are those in the private sector that are trained and responsible for getting work accomplished in a group setting. If you are one of these rare individuals, we congratulate you.

Right Time, Right Place

The world is increasingly dependent on exchange of information from one to another. The Internet is an excellent example of the fluidity and transferability of information between individuals.

At the same time, the world is increasingly dependent on the information held by, analyzed, synthesized by groups. And, to no surprise, in our quality conscious world, we are increasingly dependent on decisions contemplated and rendered by groups.

The work of a group is better than any individual in the group.

The notion that "group think" can be a positive activity is what makes facilitation so powerful.

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