LEADING PEER GROUPS IN A FIELD

Facilitating peer groups with shared interests is an important skill for trainers. It encourages knowledge exchange, networking, and exploration. It allows people to learn new things they can apply to themselves and others. And, it can open up new opportunities for participants and foster organic growth in the field.

The facilitator, or collaborative leader, is a peer. Facilitators see expertise as evolving and relative. Their role is to organize the sessions. They may also share what they know, either as a presentation or during a discussion. Yet, others in the group can also take the role of presenter. I have facilitated peer groups all my life. It is one way I learn and support my fields of interest. When I was in high school, I gathered my friends together on Friday evenings to play pool in my basement.