As a facilitator, coach, or trainer, you’ll know how important it is to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, best practices, and industry insights. That’s why I want to share with you the main points from the State of Facilitation survey conducted by Session Lab.
Session Lab is an online platform for designing and running workshops, meetings, and events. Their survey aimed to explore the challenges and opportunities that facilitators face in their work and shed light on the current state of the facilitation industry.
Here are the key takeaways from the survey:
1. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way facilitators work
Unsurprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the facilitation industry. More than 80% of survey respondents said that they had to adapt their facilitation techniques due to the pandemic. Many facilitators had to switch from in-person workshops to virtual ones, which required them to learn new tools and approaches.
While the transition to virtual facilitation was challenging for many, it also opened up new opportunities for reaching wider audiences and facilitating more international events.
2. The most significant challenge for facilitators is engagement
Engaging participants and keeping them focused and motivated is the most significant challenge for facilitators, according to the survey. This is especially true in virtual workshops, where participants can easily get distracted or disengaged.
Facilitators need to be creative and use various techniques to keep participants engaged, such as icebreakers, games, and interactive activities. They also need to be skilled in managing group dynamics and addressing conflicts or issues that may arise during the workshop.
3. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are increasingly important in facilitation
The survey found that DEI is a growing concern for facilitators, with 73% of respondents saying that they include DEI considerations in their facilitation practice. Facilitators need to be aware of their own biases and privilege and create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
Facilitators can also use DEI principles to design workshops and events that are accessible and welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds and identities.
4. Facilitation skills are in high demand
Despite the challenges of the past few years, facilitation remains in high demand. More than half of survey respondents said that they had seen an increase in demand for their facilitation services in the past year.
The skills that are most in demand include virtual facilitation, DEI facilitation, and facilitation for remote and distributed teams. Facilitators who have these skills are well-positioned to thrive in the current job market.
5. Facilitators value community and collaboration
Finally, the survey found that facilitators place a high value on community and collaboration. Many respondents said that they belong to facilitation networks or communities and that they find them valuable for learning, sharing best practices, and building connections with other facilitators.
Facilitators also see collaboration as a key factor in their success, whether it’s collaborating with other facilitators, co-facilitating with clients, or working with other stakeholders to design and deliver workshops.
In summary, the State of Facilitation survey provides valuable insights into the current state of the facilitation industry. It highlights the challenges that facilitators face, the skills that are in demand, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in facilitation practice.
As a facilitator, coach, or trainer, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with these trends and adapt your practice to meet the evolving needs of your clients and participants.
To learn more about the State of Facilitation survey, visit the Session Lab website at https://www.sessionlab.com/state-of-facilitation/.
Attribution: This post was written based on the findings of the State of Facilitation survey conducted by Session Lab.
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