When a Group Resists Facilitation
Sometimes a group will resist being facilitated. Perhaps some people feel it is too formal while others prefer a loose, free-flowing discussion.
What can you do if your role is to facilitate this group?
1. Calmly and clearly state what a facilitator does (that is, what YOU will be doing) and does not do and how some attention paid to the process of the meeting prevents totally wasting time on random discussion.
2. Accept the input and facilitate from a seat at the table rather than from the front of the room. Offer ideas for how to process discussion.
3. Take on related roles: timekeeper, scribe, summarizer. Be low-key.
Do not allow the group to flounder. They will not thank you for doing nothing even though you are following their request. Instead, offer to step in if they begin to be unproductive. Have a few suggestions ready for how the group can move forward in the remaining time. If they are successful without a full facilitator, congratulate them and consider that this group might be good at managing itself. Ask if they achieved their objectives for the meeting. Suggest if they think a topic requires stronger process management, they might consider a facilitator for that meeting.