They modify their small-group activities along six critical tensions. Effective facilitators are proactive. Before using a small-group activity, they modify it on the basis of the characteristics of the participants and the purpose of the activity. Effective facilitators are responsive. They make modifications during the small-group activity to keep the different tensions within acceptable ranges.
Effective facilitators are resilient.
They accept whatever happens during the small-group activity as valuable data and smoothly continue with the activity. To capture the flexibility demonstrated by effective facilitators, we need to understand the tensions on which this flexibility is based. Our analysis suggests six critical tensions within any small-group activity that can be powerful in enhancing or destroying its effectiveness. Explain the rules in detail at the beginning and enforce them rigidly. Explain the rules only when needed and apply them loosely.