Tips To Improve Your Skills

Managing Group Dynamics

The Dynamics of Group Learning

People often have unique responses to training. Part of the delight in delivering training is the spice that the participants bring to it. Most of the time, participants will engage in the material in a way that is helpful for the trainers and provide the trainer hints on what the group needs. Some of these examples might be:

Asking things

For a point to be clarified that was not understood. This may be a sign to the trainer to explain the point in a different manner.
To repeat a point. This may be a sign to the trainer that you are moving too quickly and need to slow down.
For an example. This may be a sign that the participants are having difficulty understanding how to make an idea workable in practice.
For a comparison. This may be a way for participants to gage how they are doing in relation to others in similar situations.

Adding things

An illustration. This may be a way for the participant to relate the materials to their work or life. Acknowledge the contribution and keep moving.
An opinion. This may be a way for the participant to express agreement or disagreement with the material. Generally, it is good to acknowledge all opinions, even if you disagree with them. Refrain from arguing with one of the participants about their opinion. Instead ask for other contributions and keep the discussion going.
Another point. This may be a way for a participant to add to the discussion or guide the discussion to a topic that is important for them. If the point is related to the material, the trainer may want to pursue the discussion but if it detracts from the aims of the exercise, the trainer may want to steer the discussion back on track. The trainer can acknowledge the contribution and move on by stating, "That is another point and right now I want to make sure we answer the question of ______."

Body Language: Observe the SIGNS

It is important to visually observe what is going on in the group. Body language can provide you valuable tools to check in with participants. Here are some examples:

Participants look bored or are falling asleep. This may be a sign for you to get the participants up and moving in an exercise or to engage them in a discussion.
Participants are nodding. This may be a sign that people agree with your material and might want a chance to add examples or illustrations.
Participants are frowning. This may be sign that people disagree or are having trouble integrating the material. You may want to clarify further or ask if people have a question.

Use Effective Methods and Prepare

People often engage in unproductive behavior in training when they are bored. This is when using effective methods assist the trainer/facilitator. Participants that are dominate or passive find it difficult to exhibit this kind of behavior when effective methods are employed by the facilitator/trainer. Training in group facilitation and in effective discussion methodology can give any trainer a framework for delivering materials and leading group discussion. Some of the most effective ways to keep a group on track come from the Technology of Participation. Here are some tools that are especially helpful in training you can learn more about:

Focused Conversation – a tool for leading meaningful discussions.
Consensus Workshop – to tool to investigate a topic that there are lots of opinions on.
Action Planning – a tool to plan actions that we will take in a project.
Image Shift – a tool to harness the power of images to frame thinking and make creative presentations

Specific Challenges

Sometimes participants bring special challenges to the trainer/facilitator. Here are some typical behaviors in groups and how to handle them.