I was drawn to facilitation because it allowed me to give everyone an equal voice in meetings. We have all had meetings dominated by a few voices. This can be a challenge, especially in larger groups or when there are power dynamics at play. However, by using facilitation techniques, it is possible to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. In this blog post, we will discuss the power of facilitation in ensuring everyone has an equal voice in teams and groups.

What is Facilitation?

Facilitation is the process of guiding a group towards a desired outcome. It involves creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. A facilitator is responsible for ensuring that everyone has an equal voice, that all ideas are heard, and that the group stays on track towards achieving its goals.
Facilitation can take many forms, from leading a brainstorming session to guiding a team through a strategic planning process. The key is to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Blog: What is Facilitation?

The Importance of Everyone Having an Equal Voice | The power of facilitation

I truly believe in the power of creativity in all teams, creating the right situation for that to be harnessed is a challenge. Psychological safety, the right environment and culture all contribute to making sure everyone feels their voice, experience and ideas are valued. As facilitators, we strive to create this in our workshops and sessions.

When everyone has an equal voice, it leads to better decision-making and more creative solutions. It ensures that all perspectives are considered and that the group is not dominated by one or two individuals, you have someone in mind right now, don't you! When everyone feels heard and valued, it leads to a more positive and productive work environment.
On the other hand, when some team members feel that their ideas are not valued or that they do not have an equal voice, it can lead to resentment and frustration. This can result in a toxic work environment and can ultimately damage the success of the team or organisation.
Research* has shown that equal participation and voice in group decision-making leads to better decisions and outcomes. Studies** have found that teams with equal participation are more creative, innovative, and effective in problem-solving. Additionally, equal voice and participation lead to higher levels of job satisfaction and engagement among team members.

*sources:

• A study by the University of Michigan found that teams with equal participation made better decisions than teams with unequal participation. The study found that teams with equal participation were more likely to consider all sides of an issue and to reach consensus on a decision.
• A study by the Harvard Business School found that teams with equal participation were more innovative than teams with unequal participation. The study found that teams with equal participation were more likely to come up with new ideas and to implement those ideas.
• A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that teams with equal participation were more effective in problem-solving than teams with unequal participation. The study found that teams with equal participation were more likely to identify the root cause of a problem and to develop solutions that were effective in solving the problem.

**sources:

• A study by the University of California, Los Angeles found that teams with equal participation were more creative than teams with unequal participation. The study found that teams with equal participation were more likely to come up with new ideas and to implement those ideas.
• A study by the University of Pennsylvania found that teams with equal participation were more innovative than teams with unequal participation. The study found that teams with equal participation were more likely to come up with new products and services that were successful in the marketplace.
• A study by the University of Toronto found that teams with equal participation were more effective in problem-solving than teams with unequal participation. The study found that teams with equal participation were more likely to identify the root cause of a problem and to develop solutions that were effective in solving the problem.

Facilitation Techniques to Ensure Everyone Has an Equal Voice

There are many facilitation techniques that can be used to ensure that everyone has an equal voice. Here are a few examples:

Note and Vote

Note and vote is a facilitation technique that can help ensure that everyone in a team has an equal voice. This technique involves having each team member write down their challenges or ideas on a sticky note or card, which are then collected and displayed on a board or wall. The team then places their ideas on the wall/virtual whiteboard for everyone to read ideally sorting them into groups or categories. Once all the ideas have been shared, the team members then vote on the ones they think are most important or relevant. This approach is similar to the design sprint approach and can provide equity and allow teams to share their ideas in a structured and collaborative way. It ensures that everyone's ideas are heard and valued, while also creating a sense of collaboration and teamwork.

LEGO Serious Play

LEGO Serious Play, can help to enhance creativity, communication, and problem-solving, making meetings more enjoyable for everyone involved. It is also is a powerful facilitation tool that provides a unique way for participants to express themselves and communicate complex ideas. It allows for a hands-on approach to problem-solving that can help to break down barriers and encourage collaboration. At Evolving Design we have used this in reflective sessions as well as idea generation and problem framing, in one case where a group of community leaders were reflecting on their own leadership styles. We chose this so everyone had time to build and think before each shared their build. Everybody spoke and was listened to equally.
LEGO Serious Play can be used in a variety of ways during meetings. For example, participants could use LEGO blocks to build models that represent their vision for the company's future. Alternatively, they could build models that represent the challenges and obstacles that the company currently faces. By using LEGO blocks to represent these ideas, participants can gain a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and work together to develop solutions.
It is therefore, a valuable tool for facilitating equitable conversations by providing a unique way for participants to express themselves and communicate complex ideas. By using LEGO blocks, participants can communicate their perspectives without relying solely on words, which can help to break down communication barriers and encourage greater understanding and empathy.

Liberating Structures

A simple approach can be using the Liberating structure exercise 1-2-4-all. In this exercise, participants are asked to reflect on a question or prompt individually for one minute, then share their thoughts with a partner for two minutes. After that, partners join another pair to discuss their combined ideas for four minutes. Finally, the entire group comes together to share their collective thoughts and ideas. This method encourages participation from all attendees and provides a structured approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening

Active listening involves listening to what others are saying without interrupting or judging. This creates an environment where everyone feels heard and valued, leading to better collaboration and decision-making. This is an important technique to include in all of the activities and exercises shared above.
One example of an active listening facilitation exercise is called "Reflective Listening." In this exercise, participants are asked to pair up and take turns speaking for five minutes each on a given topic or prompt. While one person is speaking, the other person is not allowed to interrupt or provide feedback. Instead, they are instructed to listen actively, taking note of the speaker's body language, tone of voice, and emotions. We sometimes change this to groups of 3 so there is a third person acting as scribe so the person listening can really engage with what is being said. After the first person has finished speaking, the roles are reversed, and the exercise is repeated. This exercise encourages participants to focus on the speaker and practice active listening skills, which can lead to better communication and collaboration in group settings.

Create the opportunity for equity in your next meeting or workshop

Ensuring that everyone has an equal voice is essential for the success of any team or organisation. By using facilitation techniques, it is possible to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. This leads to better decision-making, more creative solutions, and a more positive and productive work environment. So next time you are leading a team or group, consider using facilitation techniques to ensure that everyone has an equal voice.