A skilled facilitator helps a group define where they are today and where they’d like to go. Focus on the words, ‘where they’d like to go’ as that is key to the success of a facilitation. It’s not about where you, the facilitator, want the group to go. In other words, your opinion doesn’t matter. That sounds harsh, so let me explain.
If the group believes that you, the facilitator, are taking them down a specific path then suddenly it begins to feel as if their opinions don’t matter, that their ideas are less important and that their time is being wasted if the outcome has been predetermined. Facilitation is about having voices heard and ideas shared. Where the group lands is determined by the group, not the facilitator.
As much as possible, the facilitator needs to present herself as unbiased. However, if you find yourself in a situation in which you have knowledge that may be helpful to the conversation, I recommend that you make it clear to the group that you are temporarily stepping away from your facilitator role and want to offer information that may benefit the group. As soon as you share that information, make it clear you are back in the role of facilitator.
Even if you are a subject matter expert, I recommend being disciplined enough to let the knowledge of the group shine through as this creates engagement in the process, ownership of the outcome and commitment to the work ahead.