--- title: How to Improve Facilitation Skills description: With this piece we wanted to offer a list of questions to ask yourself to identify any facilitation weaknesses, ensuring you are maximizing your effectiv... image: https://www.tlpnyc.com/hubfs/Staff%20Training%20-%20Green%20Office%20Folder%20on%20Background%20of%20Working%20Table%20with%20Stationery%20and%20Laptop.%20Staff%20Training%20Business%20Concept%20on%20Blurred%20Background.%20Staff%20Training%20Toned%20Image.%203D..jpeg --- [![tlp-png-logo-blue](https://www.tlpnyc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tlp-png-logo-blue.png?width=276&height=137&name=tlp-png-logo-blue.png "tlp-png-logo-blue")](https://www.tlpnyc.com/) [212.625.8001](tel:212-625-8001) | [Blog](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog) - Our Programs - Businesses - [Business](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/businesses) - [Employee Management Training Program](https://www.tlpnyc.com/en-us/employee-management-training) - [Coaching](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/businesses/leadership-coaching) - [Ala Carte Workshop Menu](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/businesses/lp-workshop-listing) - [Colleges](https://www.tlpnyc.com/motivational-speakers-for-college-students) - Schools and Communities - [Schools and Communities](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/schools-and-communities/) - [Youth Development](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/schools-and-communities/youth-development) - [Staff Professional Development](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/schools-and-communities/professional-development) - [Family Engagement](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/schools-and-communities/family-engagement) - [CASEL Select Conflict Resolution Program](https://www.tlpnyc.com/casel) - [About Us](https://www.tlpnyc.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://tlpnyc.hire.trakstar.com/?) - [About Us](https://www.tlpnyc.com/about-us) - [Certified NYS & NYC Women Owned Business](https://www.tlpnyc.com/nys-certified-women-owned-business) - [ABC's of Leadership](https://www.tlpnyc.com/abcs-of-leadership) - [Resources and Tips](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog) - [Our Blog](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog) - [Books](https://www.tlpnyc.com/leadership-marketplace) - [Tips for Managers and Supervisors](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog/topic/business) - [Resources for School Staff and Adminstration](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog/topic/school) - [Professional Leadership Development](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog/topic/professional) - [Free Webinars](https://www.tlpnyc.com/free-workshops) - [Contact Us](https://www.tlpnyc.com/contact-us) [![Schedule a Consultation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2847193/7cd96dab-9a5f-430e-a043-72a0b53bf15d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2847193/7cd96dab-9a5f-430e-a043-72a0b53bf15d) ![](https://www.tlpnyc.com/hubfs/Staff%20Training%20-%20Green%20Office%20Folder%20on%20Background%20of%20Working%20Table%20with%20Stationery%20and%20Laptop.%20Staff%20Training%20Business%20Concept%20on%20Blurred%20Background.%20Staff%20Training%20Toned%20Image.%203D..jpeg) # Identify Your Facilitation Weaknesses in Thirty Questions ![Erika Petrelli](https://www.tlpnyc.com/hubfs/Staff%20Photos%201.15.2019/IMG_1851.jpeg) Erika Petrelli A list of questions to ask yourself to ensure that you maximize your effectiveness as a facilitator  To ensure you are being as effective as possible as a facilitator, ask yourself: 1. Have I prepared a well thought-out agenda, taking into consideration the audience I will be facilitating to? 2. Have I thought about any outside books, websites, TED talks, or other resources that might support the content on which I am speaking that I can offer to the participants? 3. Is my agenda [scaffolded](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog/instructional-scaffolding) with activities that start “easy” and increase in their risk-taking, vulnerability, or challenge level? 4. Is my agenda multi-sensory, with a combination of group and individual work, physical and thoughtful activities, oral and visual, etc.? 5. Have I timed out my agenda managing time as allotted? 6. Do I have “extra” activities on the agenda in case I get through everything faster than anticipated? 7. Have I done a few “run-throughs” of my agenda so that I am comfortable enough with the content that I don’t need to be glued to my notes or PowerPoint? 8. Have I created a visual presentation to *support* the agenda, but that doesn’t replace me as the main provider of content? Do I need a visual presentation at all? 9. What props or accessories do I need to make the presentation more dynamic? 10. What supplies or handouts do I need? Have I made ample copies of anything I am distributing? 11. Am I making sure the participants will walk away with something tangible that they can put into use immediately? 12. Do I know where I am going and how the room will be set up? 13. Have I allowed plenty of time prior to the start of the presentation to find the room, set out any supplies, check the cord/technology/screen situation, etc.? 14. Do I have music playing to set the “mood” for the training? 15. Do I have time allotted to set up ground rules for our common goal?  16. Have I written out an agenda, or will I talk the participants through what they can expect for the day? 17. If I have control over the room/space situation, have I remembered snacks or refreshments that might make the participants more comfortable? 18. Are there notepads and pens for the participants? 19. If it is a large room, have I thought about how I can move around so that everyone can see and hear me? 20. Am I greeting people as they arrive? 21. Am I projecting loudly enough? 22. Did I remember to start by introducing myself and where I’m from, and have I figured out a way for the participants to introduce themselves. 23. Have I set the expectations for the session clearly? 24. Am I paying attention to signals from the participants that they might need to move on to the next activity, might need a break, might need clarification? 25. Am I stopping to ask questions, and am I allowing space for answers? 26. Am I checking for understanding? 27. Did I leave time at the end of the presentation for questions and clarifications? 28. Did I make sure to have some sort of formal “closing,” so that the presentation doesn’t just fade out when time is up? 29. Am I at the door saying goodbye to people as they leave? 30. Did I remember to email participants in a timely fashion, re-capping what took place during the presentation, and offering any additional information or resources that came up during the course of the presentation? ## More Resources for great Facilitation:  -  What are Key Facilitation Skills: Read [Five ingredients for effective facilitation](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog/key-ingredients-to-effective-facilitation), detailing the importance of creating a safe and open environment for your participants to have the best possible learning experience. - How to provide training that encourages participants to into problem solving and get their[“heads nodding.” ](https://www.tlpnyc.com/wings-and-whimsy/training-best-practices) - Reflect on any potential [weaknesses in your training](https://www.tlpnyc.com/wings-and-whimsy/facilitation-weaknesses). **Tags:** [Professional](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog/topic/professional) ![Erika Petrelli](https://www.tlpnyc.com/hubfs/Staff%20Photos%201.15.2019/IMG_1851.jpeg) ### By Erika Petrelli Erika Petrelli is the Senior Vice President of Leadership Development (and self-declared Minister of Mischief) for The Leadership Program, a New York City-based organization. With a Masters degree in Secondary Education, Erika has been in the field of teaching and training for decades, and has been with The Leadership Program since 1999. There she has the opportunity to nurture the individual leadership spirit in both students and adults across the country, through training, coaching, keynotes, and writing. The legacy Erika strives daily to create is to be the runway upon which others take flight. If you enjoy these blogs, you should check out her interactive journal, On Wings & Whimsy: Finding the Extraordinary Within the Ordinary, now available for sale on Amazon. While her work takes her all around the country, Erika calls Indiana home. Comments \[0\] [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.tlpnyc.com/blog/facilitation-weaknesses#comments-listing) #### The Leadership Program 122 East 42nd Street, Floor 4 #1027 New York, NY 10168 Tel: 212-625-8001                             Business Programs [Business Overview](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/businesses) [Employee Management Training](https://www.tlpnyc.com/employee-management-training) [Coaching](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/businesses/leadership-coaching) [Workshops](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/businesses/lp-workshop-listing) [Education Programs](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/schools-and-communities/youth-development) [College Overview](https://www.tlpnyc.com/motivational-speakers-for-college-students) [Schools and Communities Overview](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/schools-and-communities/) [Youth Development](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/schools-and-communities/youth-development) [Staff Professional Development](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/schools-and-communities/professional-development) [Family Engagement](https://www.tlpnyc.com/our-programs/schools-and-communities/family-engagement) [About Us](https://www.tlpnyc.com/about-us) Who We Are [Careers](https://tlpnyc.hire.trakstar.com/?) 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