Co-Facilitation: It Ain’t as Easy as It Looks
Co-Facilitation Takes Planning and Practice
Co-facilitation is challenging. I’d suggest more difficult that making a presentation or teaching a lesson on your own. But when you prepare well, it has many benefits for you and the audience. Here are strategies for doing co-facilitating well:
Before Co-Facilitation
- Assign roles to each activity (facilitating, scribe, handout distribution, etc.)
- Get to know each other
- Discuss the audience and potential challenges
- Decide together how and under what circumstances to interrupt
- Practice together
During Co-Facilitation
- Take centre stage when you present. Stand off to the side not speaking, and pay attention to the speaker
- Avoid speaking over each other
- Interrupt only when it is absolutely vital. Interrupt by saying, Excuse me, Jane. Could I add something to that? Accept that your co-facilitator has something important to say, and step back. When the co-facilitator is done, thank him or her, and continue with your part
- Check in with your partner during breaks, if any
- Stay on time
After Co-Facilitation
- Clean up the meeting space together
- Meet immediately after the presentation if possible
- Ask your partner(s) what you think went well and what could be improved
- Use I statements for constructive feedback. I felt annoyed when you interrupted me and started answering all the questions. I felt disrespected when you were chatting with friends on the side while I presented.
- Be open to feedback so you can improve your skills
What is your best tip for co-facilitation? I’d love to hear from you.