Lead and facilitate meetings and discussions

This standard is about leading and facilitating meetings and discussions that enable inclusive participation, constructive dialogue and effective decision-making. You identify purpose and outcomes, involve relevant colleagues and stakeholders and prepare participants with appropriate information. You create psychologically safe conditions that encourage open contribution, listen actively and interpret verbal and non-verbal cues to guide the discussion. You manage group dynamics, support balanced participation and ensure decisions are informed, recorded and communicated in line with organisational standards of practice and meeting protocols. You review outcomes to strengthen how meetings and discussions are led and facilitated over time. 

This standard applies to managers and leaders at all levels across all sectors.

1. Clarify the purpose and intended outcomes of meetings and discussions to guide preparation and focus.
2. Identify who needs to participate and share relevant information in advance to support informed contribution.
3. Prepare agendas, materials and meeting structures that support clarity, accessibility and intended outcomes.
4. Use appropriate tools and technologies to facilitate meetings in digital and in-person environments in line with organisational procedures.
5. Create and maintain conditions that encourage open, respectful and psychologically safe contribution.
6. Listen actively and interpret verbal and non-verbal cues to understand participant needs, perspectives and levels of understanding.
7. Guide discussions to maintain focus on the agreed purpose, outcomes and organisational priorities.
8. Invite, balance and manage contributions to ensure inclusive participation and reduce barriers to involvement.  
9. Adapt your facilitation approach to support diverse communication needs, including neurodivergent differences.
10. Present accurate, relevant information using appropriate formats to support understanding and informed decision-making.
11. Facilitate constructive dialogue by inviting challenge, exploring assumptions and managing disagreement respectfully and productively.
12. Apply organisational meeting protocols, including confirming roles, following agreed procedures and ensuring fairness and due process.
13. Present and evaluate options, outlining benefits, risks and potential consequences to support informed decision-making.
14. Confirm decisions, agreed actions, responsibilities and timelines to support alignment and follow-through.
15. Record and communicate decisions and actions in line with organisational standards of practice, policies and procedures.
16. Review outcomes and feedback to identify opportunities to strengthen how meetings and discussions are led and facilitated.

1. How meetings and discussions support organisational objectives and effective decision-making.
2. Principles of active listening, including how to interpret verbal and non-verbal cues to understand participant needs and perspectives.
3. Factors that influence inclusive participation, including accessibility needs, communication preferences and neurodivergent differences.
4. Group dynamics, including how power, hierarchy and interpersonal relationships influence participation and decision-making.
5. The principles of psychological safety and how to create conditions that support open, respectful contribution.
6. How to prepare agendas, materials and structures that support clarity, engagement and intended outcomes.
7. Formal and informal meeting protocols, including roles, responsibilities, procedures, record-keeping and standards of practice.
8. How to manage disagreement constructively, including approaches to conflict resolution and maintaining respectful dialogue.
9. How to use digital and in-person tools to facilitate meetings in line with organisational procedures.
10. Factors that influence the quality of decision-making, including risk, evidence, assumptions and unintended consequences.
11. How to present and evaluate options, articulate implications and confirm decisions and actions clearly and accurately.
12. The organisational standards of practice, policies and procedures relevant to meetings, decision-making and action recording.
13. How facilitation influences trust, collaboration, organisational culture and accountability.
14. How to evaluate the effectiveness of meetings and identify opportunities for improvement.
15. Relevant theories and models that inform facilitation, group dynamics, communication, psychological safety and decision-making.

The following values underpin this standard. They are integrated throughout the performance criteria and knowledge and understanding requirements and inform how individuals approach their work, make decisions and interact with others.

• Inclusion - creating space for all voices and perspectives.
• Integrity - facilitating discussions honestly and transparently.
• Respect - valuing contributions and encouraging constructive dialogue.
• Openness - being receptive to diverse viewpoints and feedback.
• Clarity - guiding discussions toward shared understanding and outcomes.
• Responsibility - taking ownership of the process and its impact.

The following behaviours underpin this standard. They are integrated throughout the performance criteria and knowledge and understanding requirements and inform how individuals approach their work, make decisions and interact with others.

• Act with inclusion, ensuring all participants can contribute meaningfully.
• Communicate openly, sharing information clearly and transparently.
• Show respect, valuing diverse perspectives and contributions.
• Listen actively, paying attention to verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Respond with curiosity, exploring ideas and viewpoints constructively.
• Demonstrate composure, managing discussions calmly and professionally.
• Take accountability for owning the quality and impact of your facilitation.
• Practise self-care, maintaining habits that support balanced and effective facilitation.