Facilitator Intervention Definitions


Intervention is any action intended to help a person or group move in a healthy direction.

PAUSE OR DO NOTHING: Choosing not to act, holding back, and observing.
SILENCE:  Being still and using the quiet time to draw out others.
NONVERBAL:  Using movement, voice, eye contact, and facial expression.
VALIDATION:  Asking a question or paraphrasing to make sure that you understand.
DESCRIPTIVE FEEDBACK:  Playing back specific, behavioral observations without judgment, as a video camera would.
EVALUATIVE FEEDBACK:  In addition to the descriptive, adding a component to the feedback that summarizes it with a label or conclusion.
QUESTIONS TO SUGGEST DIRECTION:  Asking leading questions to invite the group to proceed, for example, "Why don't we move on to the next item?"
DEBRIEFING:  Asking the group to examin with you what just happened.
REFRAMING:  Suggesting a new viewpoint or angle on a situation.
TEACHING:  Giving instruction.
SHARING IDEAS:  Revealing your thoughts on the matter.
MAKING SUGGESTIONS:  Proposing an idea about the best course of action.
GUIDANCE:  In addition to verbal direction, actually leading in a suggestive way.
MEDIATION:  With suituations involving conflict, drawing all parties into the room, hearing each faction's position and interest/rationale, and seeking a way with them to satisfy the interests of all in a creative way.
DIRECTION:  Showing and telling in a stronger way.
CALLING IN A THIRD PARTY:  After determining that you are not the best suited for this intervention, asking for the assistance of a consultant, counselor, or other qualified individual.

From Key, M. K. "Continuum of Intervention: Exploring the Range of Facilitator Interventions"  In Elaine Beich (Ed.), The 2000 Annual, Volume 2, Consulting.  (c) Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, 2000.  Reprinted with permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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TIPQC Just in Time (JIT) Modules by M. K. Key are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License. separator