As promised in my last post: in honor of the International Facilitation Week being observed this week, here are some of the facilitator tools I use most often.

For asking the right questions:

• One of my favorite resources is Questions that Work: A Resource for Facililtators by Dorothy Strachan. This book is not only loaded with important questions, it offers guidance on how and when to ask them.
• I also created a special file that contains magazine articles and blog posts with interesting and provocative questions. I’m always on the lookout for new content to add to this file. (Note: I keep a similar file for group breakout exercises and planning-related activities.)

For understanding and applying Solutions-Focus:

• The Solutions Focus: Making Coaching & Change SIMPLE  by Paul Z. Jackson and Mark McKergow.
• 57 SF Activities for Facilitators and Consultants edited by Peter Rohrig and Jenny Clarke.
• Mark McKergow’s Centre for Solutions Focus at Work.

Additional Key Resources:

• Networking & Professional Development – International Association of Facilitators (IAF)
• Steve Davis’ FacilitatorU Blog
• And if you’re new to facilitation, I recommend Michael Wilkinson’s The Secrets of Facilitation: The SMART Guide to Getting Results with Groups.
  

To add to this list, please share any facilitator tools or resources you find most helpful.