You may want to engage the services of a professional facilitator for meetings with high stakes, such as retreats, idea-generation sessions, strategic planning initiatives, problem-solving meetings and team building sessions. A common trap leaders fall into is assuming the role of facilitator at such times. This is an invitation for an unproductive meeting. Why? Because it is virtually impossible for the leader to be neutral, which is the primary requirement of an effective facilitator. Perhaps the No. 1 reason people hire professional facilitators is the objectivity and “distance” they bring to meetings.

When group leaders facilitate their own meetings, they often cross the line into control and advocacy for their point of view. In turn, this will shut down participation from group members. Separating the leader role from the facilitator role will help ensure that at least one person is focused on group process issues, staying on agenda and keeping people involved.