Upon exiting a team training session one executive summarized his experience with one word taken from Maynard G. Krebbs, the eccentric beatnik on the old-time TV show Dobie Gillis"dullsville. Others thought it was more of an endurance test rather than a learning event; still others made comments like "my foot fell asleep, "I mentally traveled to the Bahamas, and "I was lost in space. Ironically, the company spent thousands of dollars in time lost only to send the "disgruntlement meter off the charts.


Undoubtedly the well-intentioned but inept facilitator had read something about learning styles, facilitation theory, and the Zen of workshop room layouts, but it still didn't work. Participants, guided by a sullen obedience, felt locked into their seats and resigned to their fate.


It is important for facilitators of all stripes to translate facilitation concepts into concrete training activities and exercises. Mix it up a little bit, change the pacing, redirect the point of view, and get people out of their seats occasionally. To do this facilitators don't have to do anything complicated and they don't have to use quirky games or embarrassing role playing scenarios. They just have to vary the pattern in ways that compliment the content and boost participant involvement.

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