Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, 3rd Edition

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FACILITATING IN THE GROAN ZONE

PRINCIPLES, TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS TO BUILD MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

• Introduction to the Groan Zone
• Common Facilitation Techniques
• Responding to Challenging Situations
• Structured Activities
• Summary

After a period of divergent thinking, most groups enter a Groan Zone. It's almost inevitable. For example, suppose a group has just brainstormed a list. In theory, the next task is simple: sift through the ideas, and pick a few to discuss in depth. But in practice that task can be grueling. Everyone has their own frame of reference. Moreover, when people misunderstand one another, they become more confused, more impatient, ...