Facilitator - Key Skills

What do we look for when selecting our consultants?

One of the key attributes we are looking for is significant business experience in their field, not just academic qualifications. This is vital in our opinion, as it enables them to be able to relate well to participants and build good rapport. They can empathise with the participants and share a wealth of knowledge and skills, based on their real life experiences.

Also what follows is a list of some of the important skills that we expect from our consultants:

• The ability to manage different learning styles. Different people learn in different ways.
• Questioning skills, to check understanding, agreement and if learning has been achieved.
• Listening skills, to understand the views, concerns and questions of the participants.
• Being able to establish rapport, trust, to create a positive learning environment.
• Being empathetic, to understand how participants feel, to acknowledge their views.
• The ability to manage different knowledge/skill levels.
• Flexibility, to be able to respond to concerns and needs of individuals in the group.
• Assertiveness, to handle conflicts and to "manage" non negotiable points.
• Controlling abilities, to manage time, the agenda and discussions.
• Influencing skills to overcome blocks and to reach agreements.