What are the benefits to hiring an outside facilitator?
Professional facilitators: • Are skilled at guiding groups. An outside facilitator is usually skilled in guiding group processes. Unless your board chair or a board member has skills in guiding unstructured group discussion, you should consider engaging the help of a facilitator. • Are objective. As a neutral party, the facilitator can help the group reach consensus despite different opinions and agendas. • Level the playing field. Facilitators mitigate the influence of dominant people, helping everyone participate in the strategic planning process. • Allow members to participate. A facilitator can help the board and staff fully participate in the strategic planning process rather than sit on the sidelines. • Defuse conflict. A facilitator can be bolder than a peer. He can identify conflict or unproductive behavior as he sees it and help direct it into a constructive conversation.
