As a Creative Facilitator, you know that having the right tools and techniques handy goes a long way to leading an effective session. We often hear that a little "back to basics" refresher can be helpful, which is the inspiration for this tip.
Whether you facilitate all the time or haven't had the marker in your hand for a while, we hope you find these timeless tips to be useful.
Top Ten Timeless Facilitator Tips
- Number your lists. When you read a list of ideas to the resource group or you have a need to use the soft choices technique, you'll be glad you did!
- Water-based markers are best. Permanent markers, like Sharpies, will leave a permanent mark on the wall if they bleed through the paper.
- Painter's tape keeps the wall pristine. Other types of tape can damage the paint on the wall.
- Scribe your lists in dark colored markers. Darker colors, like black, brown, blue and purple are easier for the resource group to read from a distance.
- Indicate choices with light colored markers. Lighter colors, like pink, red, orange and green help to make the choices visible.
- Keep Detour lists separate. By writing detours on a separate sheet of paper, you will remind yourself that the Detour list should be discarded and not mixed in with the list you're making.
- Give the resource group something to write on. Provide scratch paper, sticky notes or index cards so that participants can capture ideas that may come to mind while you are busy scribing.
- Give the resource group something to play with. Pipe cleaners, Play-Doh, crayons, coloring book pages, stress balls or tangle toys keep hands busy and minds engaged while helping to make the session fun.
- Display the rules. Keeping the rules for "How to Make A List" visible to the resource group allows you to lean on them to limit judgment and discussion.
- Post your Icebreaker. Leaving your introductory icebreaker list up to illustrate lists, choices and detours is a visual reminder of the kind of behavior you will be asking of the resource group throughout the session.
Contact Creative Resources for more help.