This course deals with the topic of group facilitation. Group facilitation comprises different techniques and approaches of managing communication processes within groups and teams. Furthermore, it aims at increasing the effectiveness of collaboration between individuals. Many situations in professional life (meetings and/or negotiations with colleagues, employees, customers) or in university context (workshoops, teamworks) call for active group facilitation, e.g. the management of decision processes in larger groups or the resolution of emerging conflicts.

In this class, participants will get an introduction on

- goals, challenges and guidelines of group and team facilitation,

- common phases of group and team facilitation,

- effective facilitation techniques in managing difficult situations and

- the facilitation of creative sessions.

Based on these theoretical cornerstones, particpants will have the possiblity to apply group facilitation techniques in the course of hands-on exercises and role-games.

After completing this class, students will have the ability to:

- successfully facilitate discussions in various business contexts (meetings, negotiations, workshops, etc.),

- professionally prepare and lead through discussions,

- apply different facilitation techniques,

- leverage arguments, manage emotions and assist decision making in teams, and

- deal with difficult situations and avoid common mistakes in facilitation.

50% In-class trainings (individual and group assessment)

50% participation in class (individual assessment)