Report on Group Facilitation, Models, and Communication

This report examines the concept of group facilitation, emphasizing the role of a facilitator in enhancing group effectiveness through improved process and structure. It delves into the application of Tuckman's model (forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning) in small-group settings, illustrating how each stage impacts team dynamics and communication. The report highlights the experiences gained through the application of this model, including the facilitator's role in managing conflicts, fostering positive relationships, and ensuring effective decision-making. Dynamic communication is also discussed, underscoring its importance for leaders. The report concludes that group facilitators are essential for effective communication and conflict resolution, ultimately aiding organizations in achieving their goals. The report also includes references to various books and journals related to group facilitation and team dynamics.

GROUP FACILITATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Group facilitation and group facilitator ......................................................................................1
Model for group work.................................................................................................................1
Experiences gained due to use of Tuckman's model in small-group facilitation.......................3
Dynamic communication............................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Group facilitation is a process in which a individual whose selection is acceptable by all
other participants of the group (Walker & Sander, 2013). The selected individual is substantively
neutral towards all the members of the group. The facilitator's main goals is to increase the
effectiveness of group by enhancing its process and structure. This report will will represent one
of the model of group facilitation. The factors that are relevant to group facilitation will also be
discussed in this report. The interaction that took place during each session of the small group
will also be represented.
Group facilitation and group facilitator
With the process of group facilitation a person is selected who is giving the responsibility
to keep the team together and solve issues that is arising among the team members. They help to
people is provided by the group facilitation as with this they will learn,explore and change. The
members of the group selects a person by the process of group facilitation (Sanford, 2016). To
enhance the effectiveness of group the group facilitator will help them to recognize a issues an
will solve the problem that is faced and will make efficient decisions. The job of group facilitator
is to pay attention that all members of team are working together in order to achieve the goals of
organization.
Model for group work
The forming,storming,norming and performing models was published by Bruce Tuckman
in 1965.In the 1970s the fifth stage adjourning was added (Pearson, 2016). The team
development and behaviour can be explained with theories of forming,storming ,norming and
performing. The establishment of relationship and the leadership style changes with the help of
Tuckman's model as it develop the teams maturity and capability. These stages of this models
will help the team to grow to point where thy will be able to deliver high quality results ( THE
FIVE STAGES OF TEAM DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY, 2017).
Stage 1 – Forming
When the first team members meet the forming stages takes place. The members of the
team are introduced to each other in this stage. The background, experiences from past, interests
etc. are shared among the team members. The various details regarding the project on which
they will be working in the group is also discussed in this stage .For an instance the goals of
projects and the knowledge that will be gained from the project etc. The work on the project is
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not stated. They are just making plans on how to work. The clear direction about the team goals
regarding the project should be provided by the group facilitator. The roles and responsibility of
each member of the team need to be clearly define by the team leader.
In my group facilitation , all the group members were asked to introduce themselves and
basic details regarding each other was asked so that students get to know each other. In
comparison with other group, the facilitator arranged a quiz in which all participants were asked
to write questions on a piece of paper they want to ask to another person in a group. In this way,
group facilitator conducted this stage.
Stage- 2 : Storming
The storming stage commences when the team starts to work together. This is
unavoidable as the team is developed during this stages. For the acceptance of ideas and for
status the members of the team compete. As the opinion of team members are different from
each other so conflicts or misunderstanding can take place in this stage. They preset their
views,ideas and knowledge in context with the project. The problems can be solved under the
guidance of the team leader (Padilla, 2014) .As there are chances of conflict during the storming
stage so it is difficult stage for team leader. The leader needs to ensure that the members of the
team listen to one another and respect each other culture and differences. With the help of this
stage,the team members will learn to work together with each other in a group. However on the
other hand,there are some team who are not able to move beyond this stage as the conflict occurs
in their team .
In my group, all the group members were asked to represent their ideas and view on the
topic of sustainability with help of group discussion. In comparison with another group, the
group facilitator conducted presentation himself to make members of group aware about
sustainable practices.
Stage-3 : Norming
The team begins to work more efficiently as a team when the team moves into the
“norming” stage. The individual goals are no longer focussed and to work together as a group is
focused in this stage. The each other opinion is respected and the differences are valued by
members of team (Nussli & Oh, 2016). The team rules for working together is agreed by the
team and the information is agreed among the mad and the conflict is resolved .The various tools
and processed that need to be used in the project to get the job done is also discovered. To
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achieve the common goals the team members will work together ,they will not compete with
each other. As they begin to work efficiently on the project the members of the team will make a
significant progress. Since the team members are working together and take responsibility in
these areas so the team leader does not participate in decision-making and problem solving.
In my group, the proper understanding regarding topic was made and the group members
respected each other’s ideas and views. No conflict took place. While in the group, there was
some disputes and conflicts as the members of group were not able to understand each other
perception regarding topic.
Stage -4: Performing
At a very high level the functioning of teams will take place. As a group the focus is on
reaching a goal. The members of the team now know each other and trust one another. Some
team stops at stage 3 not very team make it to this level (Chen & Chen, 2015). To get the job
done the team is highly motivated. The problem can be solved quickly and they can make
decision effectively. In the decision-making, problem solving or day to day work of the team the
team leader is not involved in this stage (Jordan, 2016). The team leader will monitor the
progress of the team. Team leader provides the gateways when decisions need to reach at higher
level.
In my group, the project functioning took place. The team members were highly
motivated by the group facilitator. The other group did not reach to this stage, as the group
facilitator did not solve the issue that was taking place in the team.
Stage- 5: Adjourning
The project is coming to an end during this stage and the members of team are moving in
different directions. The well-being of team is looked in this stage .It is the duty of team leader to
make sure that success of the project need to be celebrated and for future use best practices need
to be captured.
Experiences gained due to use of Tuckman's model in small-group facilitation
During the small-group facilitation these stages of this models can help to achieve the
goals of the project. With the first stage I came across the participant that are participating in the
meeting. The information about them such their name,their background etc. The interaction with
other participants of team can be gained in the storming stage. It is job of group facilitator to
make this interaction effective as by this only theme members of team will know each other. The
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facilitator need to make sure that positive, supportive working relationship is among all team
members (Fisher & Hemanth, 2015). I and the other students experienced that the group
facilitator plays an essential role in building up the team members. It is job of the team
facilitator to solve all the issues or misunderstanding that is taking place in the team. The proper
understanding among the team can be build by team facilitators. The various activity such as
group discussion, brainstorming activities are done in order to ensure that proper understanding
is there among the team. For an instance during my small group facilitation there was a conflict
between me and one of the student that was participating in this group facilitation. As I have was
not able to understand his perception and ideas so the group facilitator called both us and
discussed the issue that we were facings. So with the help of this group discussion that held this
conflicts was solved.
The group facilitator makes effective decision for the group .The decisions that are made
by them is not biased .Keeping in mind the perception and opinion of all the group members
decision are made. The facts,past experiences etc are considered by them. I experiences in order
to make communication strong within the group the group facilitator resole conflict and tension
that is taking place in the storming stage. The coaching is given by them to develop mutual trust
among team. There are some projects in which the project does not goes to the next step as the
conflict are not solved by facilitator. The behaviour among team members was empowered
during norming and performing stage. The project was implemented and received feedback from
the staff. The future leadership and flexibility in roles of team was made due to adjourning stage
(Marcy, 2013).
I experienced that in the group facilitation all these stages are important as the goals and
objectives of the organization can be achieved with this. A group facilitator also plays an
essential role as all the decision for the benefit for the team is made by him/her. The strategies
and plans such as brainstorming session as conducted in order to analyse the problems that team
is facing. The main goals of team facilitator is to keep team together and make sure that proper
understanding and trust is developed among members of team.
Dynamic communication
For most leaders dynamic communication is essential as they do not have a static
audiences. With various listeners the leaders communicate with ease in dynamic
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communication. The dynamic communication is used by effective leaders as their is the best
way of communicating in a group.
CONCLUSION
Thus summing up the above report it can be concluded that to be effective
communication and solve disputes among team members, group facilitator is important for a
team. All the stages of Tuckman's model will help to achieve goals of organization .To create
proper understanding and rets among team members the meeting need to be planned on regular
intervals. In the meeting, the time management strategies can be made. It is the job of facilitator
to encourage the participants to share their ideas and experience.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Chen, Y. H., & Chen, P. J. (2015). MOOC study group: Facilitation strategies, influential factors,
and student perceived gains. Computers & Education. 86. 55-70.
Fisher, P., & Hemanth, P. (2015). The development, facilitation and initial evaluation of a
mindfulness group for a clinical psychology training course.
Jordan, T. (2016). Deliberative Methods for Complex Issues: A typology of functions that may
need scaffolding. Group Facilitation. (13). 57.
Marcy, J. B. (2013). It's a Jungle Out There-The Biology of Facilitation. Group Facilitation.
(12). 21.
Nussli, N., & Oh, K. (2016). Discussions in three-dimensional virtual worlds: Benefits of
participation and strategies for the facilitation of in-world discussions.
Padilla, T. (2014). TITLE: Why Join Others? Possible Evidence for Group Facilitation in Fruit
Fly Larvae (Doctoral dissertation, McMaster University).
Pearson, A. (2016). The Experience of Practitioners Who Deliberately and Consciously Use
Subtle Energies in Group Facilitation: A Phenomenological Study.
Sanford, R. L. (2016). An Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Survivor of Suicide Support Group
Facilitator Scale: Identifying Meaningful Factors for Group Facilitation and Outcomes.
Walker, S. & Sander, T. (2013). Facilitator versus preceptor: which offers the best support to
undergraduate nursing students?. Nurse education today. 33(5). 530-535.
Online
THE FIVE STAGES OF TEAM DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY. 2017. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-
study.php/>. [Accessed on 13th October 2017].
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