Bringing Out The Enabler

As a Facilitative Trainer, one needs to understand the learner profile and make the training lively by utilising engaging methodologies such as icebreakers, energizers, activities, games, exercises, discussions, roleplays etc. If one can make a transition to this zone, every training session gets converted to learning in a fun and engaging manner.

- Ajit K. Kamath

When you come across a trainer you may find him/ her introducing himself/ herself as a Facilitator since he/she believes that it is one and the same. This may probably be so because the word trainer has been in use for some time now, and, is therefore being seen as a cliché, and in order to make the same sound with gravitas, the training community often uses the word 'Facilitator'. But, what they do not realise is that both these terms are worlds apart. Along the same lines, many use the words trainer and facilitator interchangeably; and also use speaker and presenter in the same breath. In other words, all these four terms mean one and the same to them. Surprisingly, a few in the HR domain (especially the young HR turks) use these terms interchangeably as well. For example, I was once asked by a young HR Manager to 'facilitate' a session for a group of 400 delegates in 60 minutes. I was flummoxed and began to ask her for the outcomes and realised that what she wanted me to deliver was motivational talk, and not conduct a facilitation session. My talk was followed by wonderful feedback, and in spite of me correcting her on numerous occasions, she chose to refer to me as the Facilitator of the session.

The difference between facilitation and the other methodologies

Let us explore a simple framework which is in fact utilised by the Singapore Facilitators Network to clarify the difference to understand this. It is all about how much of your own content you bring about to the group versus how much content you can solicit from the group by using an appropriate process.