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.
