1. FACILITATION & GROUP PROCESS
The role of the facilitator in running groups is about maintaining the task, the
team needs and individual needs. The dynamics that go in groups is
referred to as the process. It is about what individuals in the group are
hearing, seeing and feeling about being in the group. There is a common
purpose for a training group coming together and this could be to achieve
some objectives on a training programme. Each person will have a different
experience in the group. The role of the facilitator is to facilitate the learning
of the individuals in the group and to ensure the group achieves its tasks
and objectives.
The facilitator achieves the group task by using various tools and methods
such as icebreakers, exercises, energisers, lectures, handouts, videos, case
studies and group discussions etc. The team maintenance is about
ensuring cohesion in the group and that the group is moving along and
learning. The individual needs refer to the personal needs people bring to a
group. These needs can range from physical needs for warmth, food and
comfort to psychological needs of recognition, status, friendship, self-
esteem and doing something worthwhile. The facilitator should be
welcoming, friendly and provide regular breaks and check how people are
feeling about the course, their learning and the physical environment.
Facilitators as group leaders should be aware of the needs of the group and
the individual and endeavour to match them with the group task. This
involves the facilitator constantly scanning the group and checking for both
verbal and non-verbal signals from the group members. Adult learners
need to remain motivated in order to learn. Some facilitators who are task
focussed run the risk of achieving the task and losing the group members
who may feel frustrated and dissatisfied.
Think about times when you were in a group whether it was a work group or
a social group. What were your experiences and feelings in that group?
Were your individual needs being met or was the group leader focussed on
the task?
2. TASK
NEEDS
GROUP INDIVIDUAL
MAINTENANCE NEEDS
NEEDS
Figure 1 The Three-Circles Model- John Adair
• In the Three- Circles model task, group and individual needs always
interact
• The group leader should constantly be aware of what is happening in
the group regarding the three circles
• The group leader is responsible for:
1. Achieving the task
2. Building and maintaining the team
3. Developing the individual
