Do you want to facilitate others to be more resourceful? You should if you want to be successful at work and at home. Leaders can often do better with facilitation than with directing. Professionals can often do better with facilitation than with advising.

So what do I mean by “facilitation?” Here is a continuum that will help explain the concept.

Medical —————————–Professional———————————–Facilitation

On the left side of the continuum is the Medical Model; in the middle of the continuum is the Professional Model; on the right side is the Facilitation Model.

The medical model is that the doctor diagnoses the problem and then prescribes the cure. The patient is a passive follower. The professional model is that the professional diagnoses the problem and recommends solutions. The client implements the solutions, often on his/her own. The Facilitation Model of Eagle Alliance Executive Coaching, LLC is that we assist the client in diagnosing their problem themselves, and in discovering and choosing the best solutions, and in implementing them. The client makes all decisions, takes the initiative and is in charge.

So why does our Facilitation Model often work better? Ask yourself, how well has it worked for you to give people orders or advice? Most leaders tell me that they have learned to command very sparingly, in only a few circumstances such as teaching a new employee their job. They admit that experience has shown them most people do not like to be commanded. People want to figure things out for themselves and discover their own solutions.

Likewise, most professionals tell me they have learned the value of being slow to offer advice. They say it is better to ask a lot of good questions so that the client finds their own solutions. Clients are then more likely to implement the solutions and see good results. Whereas with the Professional Model, clients have consultants’ reports, full of advice on solutions, that are just sitting there gathering dust. The advice is considered off base or impractical. The dust makes it less likely that the consultant will be asked back for a return engagement.

Studies show that malpractice lawsuits are much lower for doctors and professionals who take the time to listen carefully and facilitate as much as possible. Patients and clients who feel listened to and taken seriously as capable people, are less likely to get angry enough to sue.

So look for opportunities to facilitate others to diagnose their problems and discover their own solutions. They will buy into that process once they have experienced how resourceful it makes them. They will improve their creativity and skills at problem solving and be grateful to you.

You can improve your skills at facilitation through our Self-Study Program (http://www.eaglealliance.com/services/gec/ssinfo/) and Virtual Workshop Series, Leadership Communication™ (http://www.EmotionallyIntelligentLeadership.com).

Please call me, Bill Murray, for more information at 919-419-9460 or email me via our EagleAlliance web site’s “Contact Us” link.