According to Bens (2010), a trained facilitator is an individual who helps a group of people understand their common goals, while also helping them to develop an action plan on how to achieve them. In most cases, the facilitator remains neutral, so he does not take a position in the planning process. Occasionally, a manager may decide to take on facilitator skills in management strategies such as conflict resolution, strategic management, and process improvement as the document deliberates. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Strategic planning involves setting priorities, focusing energy and resources, strengthening operations, and aligning workers with organizational goals. In most cases, top managers take on the strategic planning role. However, there are various scenarios in which the experienced facilitator can apply (Bens, 2012). First, when a manager wants to participate as a team member rather than a supervisor. For most managers, facilitating and participating at the same time is a significant challenge. Most employees will continue to believe that the manager is superior and therefore incapable of being themselves. Second, dysfunctional behaviors and personal problems cause a group to become stuck, facilitator skills may be conservative (Ramsbotham, 2012). Experienced facilitators use sensitivity to raise issues and bring to the fore dysfunctional behaviors that are avoided and cause a team to get stuck. As such, the experienced facilitator will help get the team moving and reaching a new level of functioning. Finally, when a group is dealing with complex issues and different points of view, a facilitator can be an invaluable aid. An expert facilitator brings a wide range of new group processes and activities to identify problems, make decisions, generate options, and build consensus (Bens, 2012). Second, the approach can aid in conflict resolution in numerous ways. First, the facilitator will help supervise the organization and conduct of the meetings thus alleviating tensions (Bens, 2012). Therefore, people can overcome their personal agendas and collaborate thus reducing conflicts. Secondly, the facilitator ensures strict compliance with the group's procedures. As a result, he or she can reduce the likely level of conflict among group members. The facilitator can perform group maintenance using skills such as gatekeeping (Ramsbotham, 2012). Such activities help maintain harmony and collaboration within a group, thus reducing conflict. Finally, the facilitation approach involves onboard activities such as group retreat that helps create a strong bond between group members. Retreats help members dispel prejudices they may have against each other as they learn more about each other. As a result, conflict is significantly reduced (Bens, 2012). Finally, the facilitator approach can help process improvement in numerous ways. First, the facilitator will help design and set the context for the development. Secondly, since the facilitator takes a neutral point, it will help to grasp the weaknesses of the current process and align it with the established context. Furthermore, the facilitator will help raise awareness among team members to identify opportunities for improvement by helping them overcome their prejudices.