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Archive

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Meeting Culture | November 17, 2023

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.

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Podcast | November 14, 2023

On the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Dom Michalec, a product coach at Pathfinder Product. Dom delves into his facilitation journey, underscoring effective team collaboration. He shares how implementing liberating structures from "Liberating Structures" enhanced his meetings, boosting idea generation and decision-making. Dom stresses refining facilitation skills over just acquiring tools. The discussion also covers his role at Pathfinder Product, crafting impactful one-hour workshops, and the idea of coaching upwards, presenting insights for facilitators and team leaders.

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Meeting Culture | November 9, 2023

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.

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Alumni Stories | November 2, 2023

Susan Golab Wilson's blog post details a transformative facilitation experience. Confronted with lackluster engagement, she transitioned to a standing meeting around a SMART board, invigorating team interaction and collaboration. This approach allowed the group to collectively identify crucial project elements, fostering a co-created solution that capitalized on individual strengths and amplified lesser-heard perspectives. This success reignited Susan's passion for facilitation, bolstering her confidence and preparing her to tackle future challenges with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.

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Meeting Culture | October 31, 2023

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.

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Meeting Culture | October 19, 2023

The guide underscores the impact of participatory decision-making in strengthening team relationships and involvement. It advocates for embedding participatory principles in decision-making to guarantee inclusiveness and collective accountability. Facilitators are portrayed as vital in steering intricate conversations, particularly through the challenging "Groan Zone," using methods to promote constructive discussions. The guide prefers a collaborative approach over autocratic methods, demonstrating its efficiency in attaining enduring, inclusive resolutions and enhanced management results.

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Podcast | October 17, 2023

In the Facilitation Lab podcast, Douglas Ferguson interviews Phil Canning, head of the Human Centered Design Studio at Ally Financial. They explore Phil's path to facilitation and the pivotal role of design thinking in evolving Ally's operations. Phil highlights his workshop experiences, stressing the creation of a secure, inclusive space. The conversation delves into cross-industry learning's significance and facilitation's transformative impact. The episode ends by inspiring listeners to discover facilitation's potential in their own professional settings.

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Podcast | October 3, 2023

In the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson chats with Reshma Aziz Khan, CEO of Kenzo Consulting Limited. They delve into Reshma's nonprofit journey and her fascination with facilitation, sparked by an enlightening experience in Zimbabwe. Reshma discusses her unique workshop facilitation methods, including Whole Brain Dominance and creative seating, emphasizing connection among participants. Her transition to facilitation and the value of networking are explored. They highlight the power of silence and confidence-building through practice and learning.

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Alumni Stories | September 27, 2023

Eddie Jjemba's post details his shift from aspiring Ugandan medical doctor to climate education advocate. His journey, from school conservation efforts to a Master's in Climate and Society at Columbia University, underscores the need to make scientific knowledge accessible. Eddie stresses culturally-sensitive facilitation, reflecting on his experiences across Africa and Europe. He credits facilitation courses for honing his skills and for the realization of a professional portfolio's importance, showcasing his strengths and development in facilitation.

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Podcast | September 15, 2023

Douglas Ferguson hosts Sandra Molinari, a workplace violence prevention expert, on the Facilitation Lab podcast. They explore Sandra's facilitation journey and her commitment to fostering inclusive, safe environments. Sandra discusses working with varied groups, being aware of cultural nuances, and the importance of recognizing participants' emotions. She stresses the crucial role of planning for effective facilitation and involving participants in design. Sandra also highlights the balance between maintaining structure and being responsive during facilitation sessions.