Facilitation involves supporting a team to achieve their goals by focusing on the process rather than the content. A team leader may direct the team on what to focus on, but a facilitator is usually neutral about the content but the champion of the process. Facilitators may help a group plan their tasks and achieve consensus, or overcome conflict. In the procurement process, procurement champions often steer or guide the team by suggesting a process to resolve issues and achieve ‘buy in’ in a collegiate way, proposing and achieving support, rather than being directive. The key skills of the facilitator are ‘pull’ influencing skills, including listening, empathy and persuasion. See also Persuasion.
Communication Skills training is available at Academy of Procurement.
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