How Do You Do What You Do?

Facilitating a cohort of learners is an incredibly rewarding and dynamic experience! As a facilitator, you are not just an instructor; you are the tour guide for the entire learning journey. Your role is to create an engaging and supportive environment where learners can explore, discover, and grow together.

Facilitation is all about guiding and managing the learning process.

Unlike traditional teaching, where the focus is on delivering content, facilitation emphasizes interaction, collaboration, and active participation.

You help learners connect the dots, encourage them to share their insights, and foster a sense of community within the cohort.
Imagine being a tour guide on an exciting adventure:
  • You set the course, provide the necessary tools and resources, and ensure everyone stays on track.
  • You highlight key landmarks, offer insights, and create opportunities for exploration.
  • You manage the learning experience, introduce new concepts, and guide discussions.
  • You help learners navigate challenges, celebrate their successes, and keep them motivated throughout the program.
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Your enthusiasm and energy are contagious, inspiring learners to engage deeply with the material and with each other. You create a safe space where everyone feels valued and heard, encouraging open dialogue and diverse perspectives.

By fostering a collaborative environment, you help learners build strong connections and support networks that extend beyond the program.


In essence, facilitation is about empowering learners to take ownership of their learning journey. It's a dynamic and fulfilling role that makes a lasting impact on the lives of your learners.


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You provide the structure and support they need to succeed,
while also giving them the freedom to explore and discover on their own.

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Pro-Tips

As you evolve as a facilitator you can add some new practices to your moderator style:
  • Manage the MOOD: Play music while the meeting is starting to avoid the silence.
  • Keep things moving!  Ask questions, cheer people on and get excited.
  • Always Highlight or Pin your speakers. It'll ensure that the rest of the room focuses on them and not someone with their camera on that is moving around.
  • Call them out: Ask SPECIFIC people to answer easy questions.
  • SHARE: If you open up other people will too.
Your enthusiasm about the topics and energy for the program can be contagious, you can inspire your learners to engage by setting the example.

Always be prepared to prompt the flow of conversation!
Connecting virtually is easier if you keep the participants open and sharing about their personal needs and journeys. 
 Download this list of thought provoking was to keep the conversation flowing in a session.

Learn how to foster a
collaborative environment:

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WATCH

Watch this short video to lean into your strengths and weaknesses to support your learners.
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WATCH

Watch this video to think about what your learners need from you to thrive.
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WATCH

Start creating real connection in a thoughtful and genuine way. 
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Read

"The importance of connecting to a group" from Psychologies.
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Read

"The Psychological Impact of a Moment of Social Connection" from Psychology Today.
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Read

"Why do we belong to groups?" a whitepaper on the book: Culture and Psychology by L D Worthy; T Lavigne; and F Romero

What is cohort-based learning?

Cohort-based learning is a collaborative educational experience where a group of dedicated learners build skills together over a set period. 
This approach usually has a clear start and end date, incorporating both guided and self-directed learning elements.

This method fosters a supportive community where learners connect, collaborate, and grow together. By structuring the learning experience with a strong focus on peer interaction and real-world projects, participants not only acquire knowledge but also develop practical skills that can be directly applied to their work.

This approach focuses on applying new concepts directly to a learner’s most critical work. For instance, through a series of assignments, a learner might apply concepts to develop an account plan for a top client.

Cohort learning fosters connection, competence, and collaboration, which are key drivers of success.

Connection


One of the most significant benefits of cohort-based learning is the ability to connect with others and learn from and with a group. Connection and interaction are crucial for motivating and engaging learners, reinforcing new concepts, and fostering success at all levels. This connection also allows learners and organizations to contribute to and benefit from crowdsourced wisdom.

Competence

Cohort-based learning provides a structured environment where everyone can learn and grow together, regardless of their experience level.

Flexible & Scalable

Cohort-based learning enables organizations to quickly create and deploy high-impact programs to large audiences of learners while reducing or eliminating the costs of instructor delivery, travel, and facilities.
Not only does learner collaboration benefit the learners themselves, but it also has the power to transform significant outcomes.

Are you listening?

Improving active listening skills can greatly enhance your communication and interpersonal interactions.
By incorporating these exercises into your daily interactions, you can enhance your active listening skills and become a more effective communicator.

Here are some exercises that can help you develop these skills:
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Paraphrasing Practice

After someone speaks, try to paraphrase what they said in your own words. This helps ensure that you understood their message correctly and shows the speaker that you are actively engaged in the conversation.

Reflective Listening

Focus on the emotions behind the words. Reflect back what you think the speaker is feeling by saying something like, "It sounds like you're feeling..." This helps build empathy and understanding.

Mindful Listening

Practice being fully present in the moment when someone is speaking. Avoid distractions, maintain eye contact, and give your full attention to the speaker. This can be practiced in everyday conversations.

Asking Open-Ended Questions

Encourage the speaker to elaborate by asking open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." For example, "Can you tell me more about that?" or "How did that make you feel?"

Summarizing

At the end of a conversation, summarize the key points that were discussed. This helps reinforce your understanding and ensures that both parties are on the same page.

Listening Without Interrupting

Practice listening without interrupting the speaker. Allow them to finish their thoughts before you respond. This shows respect and allows for a more complete understanding of their message.

Body Language Awareness

Pay attention to your body language and the body language of the speaker. Non-verbal cues can provide important context to the spoken words. Practice maintaining open and receptive body language.

Feedback Loop

After a conversation, ask the speaker for feedback on your listening skills. This can provide valuable insights into areas where you can improve.

Want to keep learning?

We have a few books we'd like to suggest.

01

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life

by Marshall B. Rosenberg
This book introduces the concept of nonviolent communication, which emphasizes empathy, understanding, and compassion in interactions. It offers practical tools for resolving conflicts and building stronger relationships.

02

The Art of Communicating

by Thich Nhat Hanh
Written by a renowned Buddhist monk, this book explores the principles of mindful communication. It teaches how to listen deeply, speak with clarity, and cultivate meaningful connections with others.

03

The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism

by Olivia Fox Cabane
This book explores the components of charisma and provides practical tips on how to develop a more charismatic and influential communication style.

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