by: F.R. Duplantier

The so-called facilitator that one encounters with increasing frequency at seminars, conferences, and other public and private meetings is not what he seems to be. "While his job is supposedly neutral and nonjudgmental, the opposite is actually true," charges education writer Lynn Stuter. "The facilitator is there to direct the meeting to a preset conclusion.

"The facilitator begins by working the crowd to establish a good-guy/bad-guy scenario," Stuter reveals in the current issue of Eagle Forum's Education Reporter. "Anyone disagreeing with the facilitator must be made to appear as the bad guy, with the facilitator appearing as the good guy. To accomplish this," she explains, "the facilitator seeks out those who disagree and makes them look foolish, inept, or aggressive, which sends a clear message to the rest of the audience that, if they don't want the same treatment, they must keep quiet. When the opposition has been identified and alienated, the facilitator becomes the good guy -- a friend -- and the agenda and direction of the meeting are established without the audience ever realizing what has happened."

Stuter offers a plan for successful resistance when "facilitators attempt to steer a meeting in a specific direction. Always be charming, courteous, and pleasant," she advises. "Smile. Moderate your voice so as not to come across as belligerent or aggressive."

Stuter emphasizes the importance of staying "focused" when trying to defeat the Delphi Technique, this deceitful method of achieving a predetermined consensus. "If possible, jot down your thoughts or questions," she counsels, so as to be ready for facilitators who "digress from the issue that was raised and try instead to put the questioner on the defensive. Do not fall for this tactic," Stuter urges. "Courteously bring the facilitator back to your original question. If he rephrases it so that it becomes an accusatory statement, simply say, 'That is not what I asked. What I asked was --' and repeat your question."

Stuter also stresses the importance of persistence. "If putting you on the defensive doesn't work, facilitators often resort to long monologues that drag on for several minutes," she asserts. "During that time, the group usually forgets the question that was asked, which is the intent. Let the facilitator finish," Stuter suggests. "Then, with polite persistence, state: 'But you didn't answer my question. My question was --' and repeat your question.

"Never become angry under any circumstances," Stuter admonishes. "Anger directed at the facilitator will immediately make the facilitator the victim," she explains. "The goal of facilitators is to make the majority of the group members like them, and to alienate anyone who might pose a threat to the realization of their agenda. People with firm, fixed beliefs, who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, are obvious threats." Stuter recommends organizing your opposition before attending any conference or assembly in which the Delphi Technique might be used. With preparation, and allies on hand, you can convince the facilitator to keep his consensus to himself.