Readers' Feedback on Effective Facilitation

In several blog posts during the past several weeks, I focused on three questions we ask during training institutes on our fatherhood programs:

• What are the three (3) most vital characteristics of an effective fatherhood program facilitator?
• What are the three (3) greatest challenges in helping dads to become the best dads they can be?
• What are the three (3) most critical steps in preparing to effectively facilitate a fatherhood program? 

I asked for your answers to these questions as effective facilitation is central to running effective fatherhood programs.

Here are the top three (3) responses to each question:

• Most vital characteristics of a facilitator...
  • Honest
  • Non-judgmental
  • Good, effective listener
• Greatest challenges in helping dads...
  • Lack of motivation/commitment/buy-in from dads (e.g. to the program or a long-term commitment to their children)
  • Lack of willingness to change caused by, for example, rigid thinking and ingrained beliefs
  • Lack of environmental support to change (e.g. from other men and family members)
• Most critical steps in preparing to facilitate...
  • Know the curriculum/content
  • Know the dads (e.g. conduct a needs assessment)
  • Get dads to come (e.g. recruit through local agencies)

That's fantastic feedback! Thanks to everyone who responded.

To become an effective facilitator (or even more effective than you already are), I encourage you to acquire an Effective Facilitation Certificate™ by registering for and completing our newest online, on-demand training.

You'll learn about: 

• The characteristics and skills of an effective fatherhood program facilitator.
• How to prepare to effectively facilitate a fatherhood program.
• How to spot and address biases in dads that can make them unwilling to change.
• How to ask effective probing questions, and which probing questions to ask.
• And much, much more!

Are you doing everything you can to become the best facilitator you can be?

Do you want to improve as a fatherhood program facilitator? Click here to learn more about the Effective Facilitation Certificate™.

Are you a dad looking for help? Please visit our Fatherhood Program Locator™ and enter your city and state on the map to find programs and resources in your community.