Communication Skills:
The Facilitator’s Role
Part of the role of a facilitator is to help members resolve conflicts that arise when the messages they send are not consistent. First, the facilitator needs to be aware of his or her own feelings, reaction, and so on, to make certain that what he or she expresses, both verbally and nonverbally, is consistent. Then, by sharing these feelings, facilitators may help the other members of the group become more aware of their own feelings and express them, if they choose.
Facilitators can also serve as “mirrors” by reflecting back to the catechists or teachers not only what they are saying verbally but what they are saying with their tone of voice, their facial expressions, and so on. For example, a catechist or teacher may be uncomfortable stating his or her opinion but tries to do so in a confident manner. However, the tone of voice and body language are not consistent with what the person is saying verbally. The facilitator can help the speaker become aware of the inconsistency by making an observation such as, “This is what I think I heard you say. Am I correct?” This type of reflection enables speakers to become more aware that they do not feel free to express their feelings.
The best situation, of course, is when the level of trust and respect in a group is such that everyone feels free to share their ideas and reflections.
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