Values and Ethics Facilitating Learning and Project Groups

Ethics  What is the purpose of ethics?

IAF Values and Competencies  Inclusiveness – including the full diversity of membership and in facilitation  Global Scope -- Serving facilitators locally, nationally, and internationally  Participation – participative methodologies  Celebration – celebrating life through interchange, activities, and events

IAF Values and Competencies  Innovative Form – Modeling a participative and flexible organization  Social Responsibility – Socially responsible change within private, public, and voluntary organizations

IAF Statement of Values  As group facilitators, we believe in the inherent value of the individual and the collective wisdom of the group. We strive to help the group make the best use of the contributions of each of its members. We set aside our personal opinions and support the group’s right to make its own choices. We believe that collaborative and cooperative interaction builds consensus and produces meaningful outcomes. We value professional collaboration to improve our profession.

IAF Code of Ethics  Client Service Understanding the purpose of the facilitationUnderstanding the purpose of the facilitation Working to resolve contradictions between a group’s intentions and the previously stated purpose.Working to resolve contradictions between a group’s intentions and the previously stated purpose. Helping clients to establish realistic expectationsHelping clients to establish realistic expectations

IAF Code of Ethics  Conflict of Interest Refrain from using position to secure unfair or inappropriate favors or privilegeRefrain from using position to secure unfair or inappropriate favors or privilege Openly acknowledge potential conflictsOpenly acknowledge potential conflicts  Personal bias  Prior knowledge  Relationship with participants

IAF Code of Ethics  Group Autonomy Respect the culture, rights, and autonomy of the groupRespect the culture, rights, and autonomy of the group  Seek the group’s conscious assent to the process  We protect the welfare and dignity of participants  We maintain freedom of choice

IAF Code of Ethics  Processes, Methods, and Tools Use processes designed to meet he group’s goalsUse processes designed to meet he group’s goals Use the most appropriate processUse the most appropriate process Be proficient in the processes we useBe proficient in the processes we use

IAF Code of Ethics  Respect, Safety, Equity, and Trust Create an environment that respects individual boundariesCreate an environment that respects individual boundaries Use a variety of methods to bring out the group’s natural abilitiesUse a variety of methods to bring out the group’s natural abilities Understand that every action we take is an intervention which may affect the process and outcomeUnderstand that every action we take is an intervention which may affect the process and outcome

IAF Code of Ethics  Stewardship of Process Participants bring knowledge and expertise of the substance of their situation, we bring knowledge and expertise in the group process.Participants bring knowledge and expertise of the substance of their situation, we bring knowledge and expertise in the group process. We minimize our influence on the group outcomesWe minimize our influence on the group outcomes When we have content knowledge, we offer it with an explanation of our change in role.When we have content knowledge, we offer it with an explanation of our change in role.

IAF Code of Ethics  Confidentiality Individual comments and contributions of group members are confidential.Individual comments and contributions of group members are confidential. Client information is confidentialClient information is confidential

IAF Code of Ethics  Professional Development We strive to continuously improve our knowledge and skills as facilitators.We strive to continuously improve our knowledge and skills as facilitators. We strive for healthy personal developmentWe strive for healthy personal development

Ethics  To whom do we owe a duty?  Who is our client Primary clientPrimary client Contact clientContact client

Ethics  How do we remain neutral or impartial? We are neutral in regards to outcomes, we are not neutral with respect to process issues.We are neutral in regards to outcomes, we are not neutral with respect to process issues. We balance process and resultsWe balance process and results

Ethics  What is the best Decision-Making strategy Consensus is desirableConsensus is desirable The atmosphere of dialog is the primary goalThe atmosphere of dialog is the primary goal

Competencies  Create Collaborative Client Relationships  Develop working partnerships Clarify mutual commitmentClarify mutual commitment Develop consensus on tasks, deliverables, roles & responsibilitiesDevelop consensus on tasks, deliverables, roles & responsibilities Demonstrate collaborative values and processes such as in co- facilitationDemonstrate collaborative values and processes such as in co- facilitation  Design and customize applications to meet client needs Analyze organizational environmentAnalyze organizational environment Diagnose client needDiagnose client need Create appropriate designs to achieve intended outcomesCreate appropriate designs to achieve intended outcomes Predefine a quality product & outcomes with clientPredefine a quality product & outcomes with client  Manage multi-session events effectively Contract with client for scope and deliverablesContract with client for scope and deliverables Develop event planDevelop event plan Deliver event successfullyDeliver event successfully Assess / evaluate client satisfaction at all stages of the event or projectAssess / evaluate client satisfaction at all stages of the event or project

Competencies  Select clear methods and processes that Foster open participation with respect for client culture, norms and participant diversityFoster open participation with respect for client culture, norms and participant diversity Engage the participation of those with varied learning / thinking stylesEngage the participation of those with varied learning / thinking styles Achieve a high quality product / outcome that meets the client needsAchieve a high quality product / outcome that meets the client needs  Prepare time and space to support group process Arrange physical space to support the purpose of the meetingArrange physical space to support the purpose of the meeting Plan effective use of timePlan effective use of time Provide effective atmosphere and drama for sessionsProvide effective atmosphere and drama for sessions

Competencies  Demonstrate effective participatory and interpersonal communication skills Apply a variety of participatory processesApply a variety of participatory processes Demonstrate effective verbal communication skillsDemonstrate effective verbal communication skills Develop rapport with participantsDevelop rapport with participants Practice active listeningPractice active listening Demonstrate ability to observe and provide feedback to participantsDemonstrate ability to observe and provide feedback to participants  Honor and recognize diversity, ensuring inclusiveness Encourage positive regard for the experience and perception of all participantsEncourage positive regard for the experience and perception of all participants Create a climate of safety and trustCreate a climate of safety and trust Create opportunities for participants to benefit from the diversity of the groupCreate opportunities for participants to benefit from the diversity of the group Cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivityCultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity

Competencies  Manage group conflict Help individuals identify and review underlying assumptionsHelp individuals identify and review underlying assumptions Recognize conflict and its role within group learning / maturityRecognize conflict and its role within group learning / maturity Provide a safe environment for conflict to surfaceProvide a safe environment for conflict to surface Manage disruptive group behaviorManage disruptive group behavior Support the group through resolution of conflictSupport the group through resolution of conflict  Evoke group creativity Draw out participants of all learning and thinking stylesDraw out participants of all learning and thinking styles Encourage creative thinkingEncourage creative thinking Accept all ideasAccept all ideas Use approaches that best fit needs and abilities of the groupUse approaches that best fit needs and abilities of the group Stimulate and tap group energyStimulate and tap group energy

Competencies  Guide the group with clear methods and processes  Establish clear context for the session  Actively listen, question and summarize to elicit the sense of the group  Recognize tangents and redirect to the task  Manage small and large group process  Facilitate group self-awareness about its task  Vary the pace of activities according to needs of group  Identify information the group needs, and draw out data and insight from the group  Help the group synthesize patterns, trends, root causes, frameworks for action  Assist the group in reflection on its experience

Competencies  Guide the group to consensus and desired outcomes Use a variety of approaches to achieve group consensusUse a variety of approaches to achieve group consensus Use a variety of approaches to meet group objectivesUse a variety of approaches to meet group objectives Adapt processes to changing situations and needs of the groupAdapt processes to changing situations and needs of the group Assess and communicate group progressAssess and communicate group progress Foster task completionFoster task completion

Competencies  Build and Maintain Professional Knowledge  Maintain a base of knowledge Knowledgeable in management, organizational systems and development, group development, psychology, and conflict resolutionKnowledgeable in management, organizational systems and development, group development, psychology, and conflict resolution Understand dynamics of changeUnderstand dynamics of change Understand learning and thinking theoryUnderstand learning and thinking theory  Know a range of facilitation methods Understand problem solving and decision-making modelsUnderstand problem solving and decision-making models Understand a variety of group methods and techniquesUnderstand a variety of group methods and techniques Know consequences of misuse of group methodsKnow consequences of misuse of group methods Distinguish process from task and contentDistinguish process from task and content Learn new processes, methods, & models in support of client’s changing/emerging needsLearn new processes, methods, & models in support of client’s changing/emerging needs

Competencies  Maintain professional standing Engage in ongoing study / learning related to our fieldEngage in ongoing study / learning related to our field Continuously gain awareness of new information in our professionContinuously gain awareness of new information in our profession Practice reflection and learningPractice reflection and learning Build personal industry knowledge and networksBuild personal industry knowledge and networks Maintain certificationMaintain certification

Competencies  Practice self-assessment and self-awareness Reflect on behavior and resultsReflect on behavior and results Maintain congruence between actions and personal and professional valuesMaintain congruence between actions and personal and professional values Modify personal behavior / style to reflect the needs of the groupModify personal behavior / style to reflect the needs of the group Cultivate understanding of one’s own values and their potential impact on work with clientsCultivate understanding of one’s own values and their potential impact on work with clients  2. Act with integrity Demonstrate a belief in the group and its possibilitiesDemonstrate a belief in the group and its possibilities Approach situations with authenticity and a positive attitudeApproach situations with authenticity and a positive attitude Describe situations as facilitator sees them and inquire into different viewsDescribe situations as facilitator sees them and inquire into different views Model professional boundaries and ethics (as described in ethics and values statement)Model professional boundaries and ethics (as described in ethics and values statement)

Competencies  Trust group potential and model neutrality Honor the wisdom of the groupHonor the wisdom of the group Encourage trust in the capacity and experience of othersEncourage trust in the capacity and experience of others Vigilant to minimize influence on group outcomesVigilant to minimize influence on group outcomes Maintain an objective, non-defensive, non-judgmental stanceMaintain an objective, non-defensive, non-judgmental stance

Scenarios  What do you think?