Ready to take your career to the next level?
Join our FREE Introduction to Facilitation workshop to learn collaborative leadership skills!
Next live session: Mar 10th, 3-4:30pm CDT
You're signed up! Keep an eye on your email for more info.
Discover how Lori Boozer, a former government attorney turned nonprofit leader, transformed her approach to leadership through facilitation. Learn how embracing co-creation and collaboration helped her champion systemic change and foster inclusive, impactful conversations. This journey highlights the power of facilitation in addressing complex social issues like economic mobility and health equity
Building meaningful relationships is at the heart of effective facilitation. In this post, explore how intentional connection-building, trust, and shared rituals enhance collaboration, even in remote and hybrid settings. Learn practical strategies to foster trust, manage conflict, and create environments where participants feel heard and valued. Discover how facilitators can cultivate lasting relationships that extend beyond the session, influencing team dynamics and organizational culture.
In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson converses with Alyssa Coughlin, Chief of Staff Director for the Data and AI Platform Organization at Autodesk. Alyssa shares her journey into facilitation and leadership, emphasizing the importance of patience, active listening, and storytelling in effective facilitation. She discusses leading through influence rather than positional power, empowering team members, and creating a collaborative environment. Alyssa also highlights techniques for engaging quieter participants and the significance of addressing underlying tensions in group dynamics. The episode concludes with a focus on fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.
Explore the top 10 coaching certifications, including the benefits of combining coaching with facilitation skills. Discover how programs like ICF, iPEC, and Voltage Control’s Facilitation Certification can enhance your practice, equip you to lead group dynamics, and help you drive collective breakthroughs. Whether you're just starting or expanding your coaching expertise, these certifications will refine your skills, boost credibility, and prepare you to meet the evolving needs of leaders and teams in today's fast-paced world.
In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Dan Walker from Collective Imagination Consulting. They discuss Dan's journey from the legal field to the outdoor industry, driven by his deep curiosity and evolving understanding of justice. Dan shares how his formative experiences shaped his perspectives and how he now helps organizations create pathways toward a more just and joyful society. The conversation highlights the importance of curiosity in both personal and professional contexts, the complexities of justice, and the pivotal role businesses can play in fostering social change. The episode emphasizes a method-agnostic approach to facilitation.
Ralitsa Dimitrova’s journey in "Finding My Path" reveals how a passion for learning evolved into a career in facilitation. From her early days at Accenture to leading innovative sessions at KPMG, she shares how the Voltage Control certification transformed her approach—merging diverse methodologies, digital innovation, and collaborative leadership to drive impactful change. Discover how effective facilitation can empower teams, spark creativity, and build lasting communities.
Discover how facilitation transformed Sophia Zaia’s approach to leadership in her inspiring journey from organizing to professional development. Starting with a simple meeting in college, Sophia shares how facilitation became the cornerstone of her leadership style, enabling her to design impactful sessions, foster collaboration, and empower others. Through her experience at Voltage Control, she honed essential tools and practices, unlocking new ways to create meaningful change. Learn how facilitation can elevate leadership, collaboration, and decision-making.
Discover how alignment can transform your personal, professional, and organizational growth in Finding Alignment – A Blueprint for Success. Explore the power of reflection, roadmaps, and prioritization to turn fleeting resolutions into sustainable progress. Learn how tools like the Focus Finder help clarify goals, reduce friction, and foster harmony across aspirations, resources, and actions. Start 2025 with a clear vision and practical strategies to create momentum, celebrate milestones, and achieve extraordinary results. Read the full post for actionable insights and tools!
Explore key insights from Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" for facilitators and leaders. This bestseller from the music industry icon merges discipline with creativity, providing valuable lessons for corporate innovation. Learn Rubin's approach to the creative process, the importance of embracing constraints, and the power of collaboration. Inspired by his extensive music career, Rubin's methods apply to various fields, enhancing problem-solving and innovative thinking. This summary shows how Rubin's ideas can rejuvenate facilitation and spark innovation in today's professional environments.
Discover the power of collaborative leadership. Learn about its definition, distinction from facilitation, and the five key benefits: enhanced decision-making, increased productivity, stronger relationships, greater innovation, and higher engagement. Understand the challenges, particularly in balancing autocratic and collaborative styles, and explore the five essential qualities of a successful collaborative leader: being purposed, inclusive, clear, crafted, and adaptive. Embrace this leadership style for a more engaged and effective workforce.
Workplace conflicts can drain time and morale, making conflict resolution meetings crucial. These meetings tackle disagreements affecting productivity and wellbeing, involving all parties in a comfortable setting with a neutral facilitator. Establish ground rules, encourage open dialogue and active listening, and develop an action plan with fair task assignments. Training can enhance these skills, fostering a harmonious and efficient workplace.