Finding my calling

Facilitation has been in the center of my professional journey since discovering it during my time as a student at Hyper Island. It was there that I first experienced the transformative power of facilitation, a career path that I was previously unaware of, but has given me a rich professional as well as personal life. 

Before joining Hyper Island, I intended to continue my career in advertising with a focus on digital strategy. I had previously completed a bachelor’s in business administration and marketing, and after that landed my first job at an advertising agency in Canada. During my first week at Hyper Island, I experienced my first facilitated workshops. This experience made a huge impression on me. Instead of wanting to be the person with the best idea, I became interested in how I could help groups come up with better ideas together. I saw a huge potential in using facilitation as a tool to help groups solve complex problems together, especially in the context of the digital transformation that was happening at the time, and that I had witnessed firsthand working in advertising as new digital media was being adopted. 

During the remaining part of the Digital Media program at Hyper Island, I continued to explore facilitation, workshop design, and design thinking. For my internship, I got the opportunity to go to Buenos Aires to participate in the development of a new innovation incubator created by Mondelez to support innovation in the area of marketing. This was a great opportunity to use what I had learned at Hyper Island, as I got to use the facilitation and design thinking skills I had acquired to help create innovative solutions in advertising that leverage new technology and media. 

During the following years of my career I leveraged facilitation and human-centered design in helping advertising agencies adapt to new ways of collaborating and solving problems in response to the digital transformation of communications. Facilitation became both a personal journey and a profession, as I spent over a decade working with organizations to teach and implement these critical skills. I had the opportunity to work with advertising agencies, marketing departments, schools, and startups, facilitating everything from one-day learning experiences and workshops to longer programs lasting years to enable sustainable change. 

After a few years in Buenos Aires, I met the founders of Mural and gladly decided to join their team to help enable remote collaboration for teams globally through their digital whiteboard. With my previous experience in facilitation, workshop and learning experience design and facilitation, together with my international background, mostly for in-person contexts, this was a great chance to apply and develop my skills to the digital space. My work with Mural was a turning point, enabling me to explore and refine facilitation practices specifically designed for remote and hybrid environments. I dived into the nuances of synchronous and asynchronous collaboration, helping teams overcome the unique challenges of working across time zones, tools, and physical boundaries. These experiences not only broadened my skills but also deepened my appreciation for the evolving nature of facilitation along with new technology.

During this time, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with Publicitarias, a foundation that seeks to encourage female participation and leadership in agencies, as well as inform and educate about the influence that communication has on gender equality. Together with Publicitarias, I developed workshops and tools to enable teams to create more inclusive content. We created a package that anyone could use to facilitate conversations on the topic with their team, as well as evaluate and brainstorm ideas. This experience once again proved the transformative power of facilitation, and through developing these tools, we were able to enable the Publicitarias community to become change agents in their own contexts. The tool was also co-created together with the community, a process that I also got to facilitate. This also opened me up to the possibilities of using facilitation tools and techniques on a larger scale to achieve a bigger impact and involve whole communities. 

Maturing as a facilitator

Still, the more I learned, the more I realized how much there was yet to discover. With more than 10 years of experience in facilitation, and as I began to receive opportunities to lead more intricate and complex projects, I felt the need to validate and update my skills further. I had also grown into facilitation as my professional role and felt more sure than ever that the path I’m on is the right one. Certification became a natural next step, not just as a proof of professional validation but also as an opportunity to grow, connect, and contribute to a broader community of facilitators.

Choosing the certification program with Voltage Control felt like the perfect fit. My history with the organization, dating back to my time at Mural, had already left a strong impression. The weekly Facilitation Lab with Douglas and Eric became a space for me where I had a chance to meet and learn from other experienced facilitators. The environment was very friendly yet challenging, which offered the right mix of safety and motivation to keep improving my craft. Through Mural, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with Douglas on webinars, workshops, and the creation of templates to enable others to facilitate better meetings and workshops. I was very inspired by their professional approach, broad knowledge of methods and techniques, and their constant reinvention of methods that make every experience feel inspiring and fresh. The Voltage Control team and community had been there for many years during my career as a source for co-creation, collaboration, learning and inspiration. So, when I was laid off from Mural and received an invitation to join the program, it felt like a moment of alignment. I was ready to relaunch my career, refine my skills, and rediscover my unique voice as a facilitator.

Immersing myself in the program: A journey of growth

The certification program was a transformative three-month journey, allowing enough time for reflection, hands-on work, and reading in between facilitated community learning sessions. The sessions provided an opportunity to reflect and discuss insights and learnings together as a group from books we read during the program, such as The Art of Gathering and Gamestorming. Even if these books have been part of my toolkit for many years, discussing them with others allowed me to deepen my understanding and uncover new insights. Additionally, reading and discussing The Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making gave me practical tools for managing difficult situations. We also did exercises that allowed us to practice certain techniques and skills from the books together.

One of the highlights was building my facilitation portfolio and working in pairs with other participants during the course. This process was both retrospective and introspective, allowing me to reflect on my experiences and articulate my strengths. Receiving feedback from peers was invaluable; it provided new perspectives and helped me develop my identity as a facilitator. Supporting other participants with their portfolios gave me new perspectives, and it was also a way to get to know each other quickly. 

Another aspect of the course that was very valuable to me was taking turns facilitating activities. Facilitating a group of seasoned professionals, followed by constructive feedback, was a unique and deeply enriching experience. The community-based learning fostered an environment of shared growth. Facilitating and sharing in front of experienced professionals pushed me out of my comfort zone. While this added pressure, it also underscored the value of their feedback. Having access to a group of professional facilitators, with their high expectations, is a powerful source of learning and improvement.

One particularly memorable moment was the final presentation. Watching everyone confidently present their identities as facilitators was one of the most inspiring moments of the course. The program’s duration allowed genuine transformation to take place, and the mutual support among participants made the journey even more meaningful. 

The personal coaching sessions with Erik provided tailored feedback and expert insights that significantly impacted my development. Throughout the program, he generously shared stories and learnings from his own career, both in group sessions and one-on-one coaching. I found the individual coaching especially valuable in identifying areas for growth, refining my voice, and defining my identity as a facilitator. This personal support complemented the group sessions, where we learned from each other while also focusing on our unique development needs.

Developing my superpower

Through the program, I rediscovered my superpower: the ability to create safe and respectful environments where people feel free to express themselves. This not only reaffirmed my passion for facilitation but also underscored the importance of continually learning and growing. Intuition and communication are essential, but having self-awareness and a robust toolkit of techniques and approaches makes it easier to navigate any situation.

Putting skills into practice

Since completing the certification, I’ve already begun applying what I learned in various ways. My role as Community Lead at Howspace has provided the perfect opportunity to implement these skills. I’ve designed workshops that address complex challenges for senior learning and transformation leaders. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive and they especially appreciate the professional yet relaxed environment and feel empowered to share openly.

Facilitating and moderating workshops with senior leaders presented both an exciting opportunity and a unique challenge. Their time is valuable, and each session had to be carefully designed to ensure it provided meaningful takeaways. Additionally, being significantly younger than most participants, I needed the confidence to guide discussions with authority while maintaining a humble and open approach. The skills I gained from Voltage Control prepared me for this, allowing me to create engaging, high-impact experiences where leaders felt heard, challenged, and inspired.

Building a thriving community requires more than just gathering people; it demands the creation of shared experiences that provide real value. To keep sessions dynamic and engaging, I drew from the broad range of facilitation techniques I had mastered. Each meeting included time for structured team-building, giving members the opportunity to connect on a deeper level and build trust. Without this, open and honest discussions wouldn’t have been possible, the true value of the community came from learning from each other. At the same time, the workshops needed to be results-driven. The workshop design techniques I had refined through the Voltage Control program allowed me to skillfully guide groups from complex challenges to actionable solutions within the limited hours available.

Moderating discussions with experts on transformation was another critical aspect of my role. Having practiced my own facilitation and communication skills in the program, I felt prepared to lead these conversations in an inclusive, professional, and structured way, ensuring all voices were heard while keeping discussions on track. At the same time, adapting to a new digital collaboration platform, Howspace, introduced another layer of complexity. Unlike the freeform nature of the Mural whiteboard, Howspace provided a more structured environment that leveraged AI for real-time synthesis. While it required a shift in approach, it also enabled a new way of facilitating at scale, accelerating decision-making, and fostering meaningful participation in ways I hadn’t explored before.

Another notable application was in my work as a facilitator and learning experience designer for #TechElevateHER, a four month long program created by Tik Tok and Geek Girl Meetup for young women from the Nordics. I designed diverse learning experiences, balancing online and offline, synchronous and asynchronous sessions. During the spring we travelled to all the Nordic capitals with the program to deliver weekend-long hybrid and in-person workshops, and in-between we hosted interactive sessions online. The feedback I received highlighted the strong sense of community my team-building and reflection activities fostered, proving that facilitation can deeply impact group dynamics.

One of the most impactful moments of my work with #TechElevateHER was facilitating team-building exercises on the very first day. We wanted the program to do more than just prepare participants for careers in tech through lectures, workshops, and mentorship, we wanted it to be the foundation of a strong, supportive network of women who could uplift each other long after the program ended. To set the right tone, I designed a mix of activities that encouraged them to relax, play, and connect. We started with movement-based exercises to shake off any nerves, followed by creative tasks including drawing, which brought laughter and eased participants into a more open mindset. One of the most effective activities was having them create their own icebreaker questions, giving them ownership over how they got to know one another. By the end of the program, many participants reflected that these initial sessions played a crucial role in helping them bond, making them feel comfortable enough to support and learn from one another throughout the journey.

Beyond the in-person sessions, I also designed online collaborative learning experiences to keep engagement high between physical meetings. While the participants were digital natives, many had little experience using corporate collaboration platforms, so I needed to create an experience that was intuitive, engaging, and meaningful. Since the program took place on weekends and many participants were juggling studies or running their own businesses, the online component had to feel like a natural extension of their learning rather than an added burden. My time in the Voltage Control program proved invaluable here, as I had learned from other facilitators about the challenges and solutions they had encountered in creating engaging experiences. Drawing from those insights, I crafted interactive, easy-to-navigate sessions that kept participants motivated, ensuring they stayed connected and continued learning between in-person gatherings.

Looking ahead: Ambitions and aspirations

This certification has given me the confidence to tackle larger, more complex projects and organizations. I feel better equipped to facilitate in challenging situations and to work with diverse groups, regardless of age, industry, or culture.

Looking to the future, I am eager to continue exploring how facilitation can enhance collaborative peer-to-peer and community learning, drive organizational change, and improve collaboration in hybrid work settings. I am particularly drawn to creating more human-centered work experiences and helping organizations adopt new mental models for transformation.

A journey of growth

Looking back on this experience, I am grateful for the encouragement I received during the program to follow my passion. The connections I made with my portfolio partners and the broader community were unexpected yet invaluable outcomes. Having a network to share my facilitation journey with, people to learn from, seek advice from, and offer support to, has been more than I expected to gain from the course.

The program made me feel confident to take on more complex and sensitive initiatives involving many stakeholders. I feel eager to work both as an independent consultant or as part of a team, helping organizations develop facilitative leadership capabilities, improve the way they work and collaborate, or solve challenges. I see opportunities to guide organizations through transformation, support them in building better ways of working, and create environments where participation and shared decision-making lead to meaningful change. With the skills I’ve gained, I feel more prepared to design and facilitate sessions that respect the time and expertise of senior leaders while ensuring productive and valuable outcomes.

In the coming years, I want to continue exploring how to support organizations in becoming learning organizations, building their change capabilities, strengthening facilitative leadership, and managing conflicts effectively. Facilitation has just started to become part of the mainstream conversation. It is increasingly becoming an in-house skill and is recognized as an essential leadership skill. In this context I also feel great responsibility of making sure my skills are up to date and that I’m facilitating in an ethical and safe way, another reason why pursuing a certification is important. As they state in The Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, it takes decades for a social innovation to truly become embedded. Facilitation can be supported by AI, especially to support diversity and inclusivity, but facilitation skills such as holding space for difficult conversations and disagreements can’t be replaced. 

The Voltage Control community has been a great support system in this journey. I still check in with the people I met in the course, and they help remind me of what I’ve learned and reconnect me with my purpose. When I face facilitation challenges, I know I can always turn to this network for insights and encouragement. It’s also been valuable to have a group of peers to collaborate with or refer opportunities to when projects fall outside my expertise. Looking ahead, I want to continue growing, learning, and contributing to the evolution of facilitation as a key capability for the future of work.

Erik and Douglas deserve special mention for their exceptional facilitation. Their expertise, guidance, and encouragement were fundamental in shaping this transformative journey.

This certification was more than a professional milestone; it was a deeply personal journey of growth, discovery, and connection. I am excited to continue leveraging these experiences to create meaningful, impactful facilitation opportunities in the future. For anyone curious about facilitation, my advice is simple: dive in, connect with others, and embrace the growth process. Certification is just one step, but it’s a powerful one.ture of our communities. And trust me, we need as many people as possible stepping into that space.

The post Mastering Facilitation appeared first on Voltage Control.

I spent the early years of my career working in government and nonprofit spaces, and if you had asked me back then, I wouldn’t have said “I’m a facilitator.” I was an attorney for a while, primarily focused on individual cases helping families avoid eviction in New York City.In that world, my responsibility was laser-focused on the people I represented and whatever issue needed to be solved in court. I worked mostly alone or with a manager, never really needing to mobilize a large group to accomplish goals. It was just the nature of legal work—you handle your caseload, and you figure things out case by case.

However, as I grew in my roles, I began noticing that so many of the challenges I faced demanded more than just one person’s expertise. My move into city government introduced me to the vast network of agencies, community advisory boards, and elected officials that intersect in the shelter system. Managing those relationships required a different set of skills. No longer could I just rely on the typical “put a meeting on the calendar” approach to get things done. Suddenly, I was juggling multi-stakeholder collaborations, trying to ensure that cross-communication happened smoothly, and noticing all the ways good—or bad—facilitation could make or break a gathering.

The turning point, though, was when I started attending events and convenings where facilitation was either spectacular or absolutely lackluster. A few years back, I was at a conference in Baltimore, and there was a woman who absolutely lit up the room with her ability to unify everyone. She pulled us into tough conversations about race and economic mobility yet somehow kept the atmosphere open, supportive, and even fun. The next day, I sat in another session with a different facilitator who hadn’t tapped into that same energy. The difference between a transformative gathering and a frustrating one was striking.

That was when I realized that this is a specialized craft. It’s not just about telling people to speak up or dividing us into breakout rooms. I saw how skilled facilitators build arcs in conversations, make space for people who might otherwise be overlooked, and draw people into a shared sense of purpose. Good facilitation, I came to learn, could amplify our collective intelligence and address systemic issues in a way that top-down decision-making never could.

At that moment, a spark went off in me. I reflected back on my earlier career steps—moments when I’d been the one urging my team to structure the conversation better or break down silos. I realized I had always gravitated toward that role, whether I called it facilitation or not. Yet, I also recognized I was mostly winging it. I was operating off my gut instincts. That conference in Baltimore showed me there was a name, a body of knowledge, and a whole set of practices behind this. That conference was also a stepping stone to something I never knew I’d become passionate about: a formalized, trained facilitator.

Embracing My Innate Facilitator 

When I look back on my journey, I realize I’ve been stepping into facilitator-like roles for quite some time—even when I didn’t have the vocabulary or the framework to define what I was doing. My transition into city government was the first moment I saw how vital real collaboration was. I went from running my own legal cases to being responsible for group initiatives involving all sorts of stakeholders—shelter operators, local politicians, and various agencies. I noticed that simply scheduling another meeting usually wasn’t enough to align all those different priorities.

Initially, I’ll admit, I was part of the problem. I’d call a meeting, show up without a clear strategy, and see the frustration on everyone’s faces as we left the room more confused than when we arrived. Then I’d revert to thinking, “Maybe I’ll fix this alone,” which never worked out well either. Eventually, it dawned on me that I needed to do a better job of designing these gatherings. I had to become more intentional about how people were introduced to each other and how their ideas could be harnessed. It was a mental shift from manager to facilitator, and it was a pivotal moment.

A lot of my initial learning came from observation and intuition. I saw what I didn’t like in other people’s facilitation styles, and I noticed the good moments that made me think, “Yes, that’s how it’s done!” I started looking for resources online, discovering that facilitation truly is a broad discipline. There were books, tools, and entire communities dedicated to guiding people through tough conversations. In my work at Robin Hood—where we focus on community-driven solutions to poverty—I started recognizing this skill as essential. We talk about trust-based philanthropy, but it dawned on me that fostering genuine trust and collaboration demands effective facilitation.

Just knowing that there was a whole methodology behind this was a huge breakthrough for me. It aligned perfectly with how I’d been approaching community-centered grantmaking: treat partners as collaborators rather than just recipients, and try to create space for everyone to shape the process. In other words, everything I wanted to do—driving collaboration, forging connections, addressing systemic issues—could be elevated if I learned the actual craft of facilitation. I had the passion for it; now I just needed the structure and technique.

Finding My Home at Voltage Control

The real turning point in my facilitation journey came when someone on my team handed me an article about collaboration. It was all about deconstructing top-down managerial structures and ushering in a more equitable approach to working together. When I finished reading, I felt both excited and a little daunted. Yes, I wanted to foster that co-created environment, but how? Where does one even begin?

I started scouring the internet, googling “facilitation training” because I realized that if I wanted to show up differently for my team, I needed a formal learning experience. That’s when I discovered Voltage Control. I remember seeing the program details and thinking, “This is comprehensive, but also feels accessible and fun.” A big selling point was the sense that they really embraced creativity and hands-on practice rather than just academic theory.

So I applied. I wasn’t sure how I’d afford it, so I also submitted a scholarship application. Given the focus of my work on marginalized communities, I wanted to make a case for why I needed these skills—not just for my nine-to-five job, but to bring facilitation to spaces that couldn’t otherwise afford professional facilitators. When I got accepted and sorted out the financial piece, it felt like a validation of everything I’d experienced: “Yes, this is the place to learn. Yes, these are the skills that will help me be a better leader, manager, and collaborator.” It was time to get formal training for what I’d been doing on instinct for so long.

My Hogwarts of Collaboration

Stepping into the certification program felt a bit like getting a welcome letter to Hogwarts. I was excited but also super nervous. The pace was brisk; there were frameworks, readings, and practice sessions on top of my full-time job. But it was also exhilarating. Every session kicked off or closed with a fun activity, and we got to see so many practical techniques in action. For instance, when my turn came to lead an opener, I improvised a simple activity. To my surprise, it landed so well that people asked if it was from a resource or a book. In that moment, I realized that creativity and intuition truly flourish when backed by a strong foundation of theory and technique.

One of my favorite parts of the program was discovering how to structure an entire session or convening. We learned about the critical “pre-work” that Priya Parker advocates for in her book—ensuring participants know each other, understand the purpose, and feel prepared for the topic. Suddenly, I saw how even a simple team meeting could transform into a powerful collaboration tool if we gave some advance thought to design. That blew my mind because in workplaces, especially nonprofits, we often talk about big, lofty goals but skip the fundamental steps that ensure everyone is aligned.

The elective sessions were another highlight. I did workshop design and “cascades,” which focuses on navigating transition and organizational change. That second one was eye-opening because I’ve navigated countless transitions—new CEOs, staff turnover, evolving missions—and never had a structured approach to carrying people along for the ride. Seeing a facilitator’s framework for transitions made me realize how essential these skills are. We often pay huge sums to consultants to handle “change management,” yet many still overlook the real nuance of facilitation. Now I’m confident in wearing the “facilitator hat” whether or not I explicitly announce it in a meeting. And that confidence was forged in the program’s practice labs, reading, and peer feedback.

Leading with a Mindset of Inclusion

One of the biggest transformations for me is how I now approach leadership itself. In my earlier years, I thought the manager’s job was to be the “shiny, brightest thing” in the room, the one who calls the shots and directs people. But going through this certification process taught me the power of stepping back—of focusing on how to create a context where everyone shines. In facilitation, we often talk about making sure people know they belong in the conversation. That’s become a guiding principle for me: If I’m leading a meeting, how am I ensuring that each person feels like their experience and ideas are needed?

It’s also changed the dynamic in my team. I’ve always said I value collaboration, but now I have a concrete sense of how to structure it. I use practices like ensuring we allow space for those who are new to the team or who might have a quieter voice. I look at the agenda and ask, “Does this format reinforce participation or does it shut down dialogue?” Instead of calling a standard meeting and winging it, I might embed an interactive activity or a time for reflection. I make sure to consider who hasn’t spoken, and I directly invite them into the conversation. That shift has created deeper buy-in for our projects and, I believe, a healthier team culture.

Another big game changer is that I can now articulate my method. Before, I just leaned on gut feeling; now, I can point to frameworks and best practices. That’s helped me advocate for changes in how we host events or build consensus within my organization. I can say, “Here is why we need a round-robin format,” or “Let’s try a divergent-convergent technique.” I’ve discovered that many managers and directors appreciate seeing these approaches spelled out clearly. It’s not just me being a people person—it’s a disciplined approach that helps everyone do their best work and fosters a sense of belonging.

Catalyzing Conversations for Change

As I look ahead, I’m excited to integrate these facilitation skills into the next stage of my career—wherever that might be. I’m interviewing for new roles, but no matter where I land, I know I’ll keep championing co-creation and collaborative leadership. I’m determined to spread the word that if we truly want to address social issues like economic mobility or health equity, we can’t afford to ignore the power of skillful facilitation. Whether it’s in the philanthropic sector or with smaller grassroots movements, I intend to use these tools to make sure every voice is heard.

I’m especially drawn to supporting conversations around race, class, and the systemic issues that undergird the work I do. I’ve always been willing to lean into these topics, but I realize that many people are hesitant, especially now, given the political climate. Being a facilitator gives me “armor,” in a sense. It’s a structured framework that makes hard conversations more approachable for everyone. The dream is to combine narrative-change work, storytelling, and facilitation to create spaces where we can have honest, constructive dialogues about the challenges we face and how we want to move forward together. Idealistic? Maybe. But every new project is a chance to bring us one step closer to that vision.

If there’s one thing I’d like prospective students to know, it’s that facilitation is a gateway skill. It sharpens your communication, strengthens your leadership, and provides you with a toolkit you can apply to any environment—professional, personal, or community-based. It’s not just for people who want to run big conferences. It’s for anyone who wants to transform a group’s energy and purpose into real results.

So if you’re thinking about the certification, I’d say: jump in. Don’t be afraid to learn, experiment, and find your unique facilitation style. The payoff goes far beyond the classroom. It expands your capacity to create meaningful connections and lead in a way that truly honors every voice. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the future of work—and the future of our communities. And trust me, we need as many people as possible stepping into that space.

The post From the Courts to Collaboration appeared first on Voltage Control.

It all happened very naturally, like pieces of a puzzle coming together over time. I’ve always been a generalist—someone who loves to learn about a wide range of topics rather than focusing deeply on one. This tendency started early in my career at Accenture’s Innovation Center in Milan. I began as an analyst, helping clients envision the future of their businesses. It was there that my manager, Davide Contrini, pointed out a strength I didn’t fully recognize in myself: simplifying complex ideas and presenting them clearly. His encouragement was a turning point that gave me confidence in my ability to bring value by connecting dots across disciplines.

This skill led me to explore diverse industries and emerging technologies, from social media to e-commerce. I had the chance to immerse myself in various methodologies, including Agile and design thinking, which complemented my broad exposure to different projects. Over time, I realized that these experiences gave me a unique ability to bring people together, align perspectives, and co-create solutions. Without even realizing it, I was facilitating—helping others find clarity and alignment in the midst of complexity. As I moved through my career, I began to see how this skill could evolve into a leadership role, not just in projects but within organizations.

Facilitation didn’t just feel like a career—it began to feel like a purpose. I saw how effective facilitation could empower individuals, spark innovation, and drive meaningful change in ways that conventional approaches often couldn’t achieve. This realization fueled my passion for honing my skills and finding new ways to inspire collaboration.

Discovering the Art of Facilitation

My first exposure to structured facilitation came during my time at Accenture. I was part of workshops that combined technology, design, and storytelling to inspire clients. These sessions often felt like theater—we would create immersive scenarios using interactive tables and projectors to help clients visualize the future. While I didn’t think of it as facilitation at the time, these experiences planted a seed. I saw how thoughtful preparation, combined with visual storytelling, could transform a meeting into something memorable and impactful. It was also a moment of realization about the power of creating shared understanding.

Years later, I joined KPMG to launch the Insights Center in Milan, and later to lead the capability in Switzerland, with Insights Centers in Zurich and Geneva. By then, I’d developed a deep appreciation for the craft of facilitation. I found myself leaning into methodologies that prioritized collaboration and creativity. But it wasn’t until the pandemic hit and everything moved online that I began looking for ways to formalize my skills. The shift to virtual work revealed new challenges and opportunities. This led me to Voltage Control through a collaboration with Mural. We created a virtual workshop template to help companies explore their digital futures. That project introduced me to the broader world of facilitation and eventually to the Voltage Control certification program.

The pandemic was a pivotal moment for many facilitators, including myself. Moving to virtual facilitation meant rethinking how to engage people effectively and how to replicate the energy of in-person workshops in a digital environment. It was both a challenge and an opportunity to grow. This phase required not just new tools but also new mindsets, as we adapted to shifting dynamics and embraced innovative methods for creating connection.

Choosing Voltage Control

When I decided to pursue the certification, it wasn’t just about improving my own skills. As my team at KPMG’s Ignition and  the Insights Center grew, I felt a responsibility to lead by example and inspire them to push boundaries. The Voltage Control program appealed to me because it focused on experienced facilitators and offered a community where we could learn from one another. I saw it as an opportunity to gain fresh perspectives and elevate my team’s approach to facilitation.

The program’s emphasis on personal reflection was particularly compelling. Facilitation isn’t just about techniques; it’s about understanding your unique style and strengths. I knew this journey would help me become a more intentional leader and facilitator. I was also drawn to the program’s practical approach, which balanced theoretical insights with actionable tools that I could immediately apply to my work. The promise of joining a network of like-minded professionals was equally enticing—I knew this experience would extend far beyond the certification itself.

The Certification Experience

The program was transformative in many ways. It forced me to reflect on my own journey and skillset as a facilitator—something I rarely had time to do in the rush of daily projects. I appreciated how it encouraged us to identify our strengths and weaknesses and to think deeply about our purpose in this work. This self-awareness has made me more confident and effective in my role. It also reinforced the importance of continually evolving as a professional.

One of the highlights for me was the opportunity to collaborate with peers. I remember working with Tracy, my first partner in the program. She was a master of improvisation, while I’ve always been more of a meticulous planner. We learned so much from each other, finding a balance between preparation and spontaneity. Another standout was Natasha, who brought the perspective of a keynote speaker transitioning into facilitation. Her expertise in storytelling inspired me to think about how I could incorporate more narrative elements into my workshops.

Beyond individual partnerships, the sense of community was remarkable. For the first time, I didn’t need to explain what I do. Everyone understood the challenges and joys of facilitation. The diversity of backgrounds among participants—from corporate leaders to entrepreneurs—enriched every conversation and sparked new ideas. It was a reminder that facilitation is as much about learning from others as it is about guiding them. The connections I made during the program continue to be a source of inspiration and support.

The program also pushed me out of my comfort zone in unexpected ways. From experimenting with new techniques to facilitating alongside individuals with completely different approaches, I gained invaluable insights into the adaptability required to excel in this field. This diversity of experiences has enriched my facilitation toolkit and broadened my perspective on what it means to lead a room effectively.

Bringing It Back to Work

The certification has had a profound impact on my work at KPMG. One key takeaway was the concept of “gentle authority”—a way of establishing credibility and guiding discussions without dominating the room. This has been especially valuable in my role, where I often facilitate sessions with C-level executives and strong personalities. Gentle authority has helped me navigate these dynamics with confidence and grace.

One way we’ve applied this is by starting a “Signals of Change” content curation piece, based on  futures thinking approach . Content curation and future scenarios building compliments my team’s facilitation expertise and helps them to bring unique insights to workshops, reinforcing our credibility and authority. We’ve also launched an “Agile Hour” series to build facilitation skills across the company. These informal sessions have become a space for experimentation and community-building, helping colleagues embrace collaborative methods and see the value of facilitation firsthand.

Another initiative has been integrating facilitation culture into our broader organizational strategy. We’ve started supporting  more internal sessions for colleagues around topics such as solution development with AI, strategic planning and go-to-market approach, strategy for specific client RFPs etc., creating opportunities to share tools and techniques that enhance collaboration across teams and functions. This initiative has not only expanded our impact but also deepened our connections within the company. It has been rewarding to see how facilitation can transform not just meetings, but the way teams work together.

The resources provided by Voltage Control have also become a cornerstone of our approach. From templates to facilitation exercises, these tools have enabled us to elevate the quality and creativity of our sessions. Sharing these resources with my team has created a ripple effect, empowering them to innovate and refine their own facilitation practices.

Looking Ahead

The future feels full of possibility. With KPMG’s recent merger between our Swiss and UK operations, my team has new opportunities to collaborate and learn from seasoned facilitators. I’m excited about the potential for growth, not just for our team but for the broader organization as we integrate AI into our facilitation processes. From brainstorming metaphors to creating visuals and summarizing workshops, AI is becoming an invaluable partner in our work.

I’m particularly interested in how AI can enhance the pre- and post-workshop experience. For example, we’ve started using AI tools to brainstorm creative metaphors and craft visually engaging session materials. We’re also experimenting with AI-generated summaries to streamline follow-up communications. These innovations free up time for facilitators to focus on the human elements of their work—building connections, fostering trust, and guiding meaningful conversations.

As we continue to explore these new frontiers, I’m committed to keeping my team at the forefront of innovation. Whether it’s through experimenting with new methods or building a strong community of practice, I want us to be the go-to resource for inspiration and expertise within the company. I’m also excited about the ripple effects of this work—how it can inspire other teams and shape the culture of collaboration across KPMG.

To anyone considering the Voltage Control certification, my advice is simple: do it. It’s more than a training program; it’s an investment in yourself, your career, and your ability to make a meaningful impact through facilitation. The skills and connections you gain will stay with you for a lifetime, enriching your work and opening doors to new opportunities.

The post Finding My Path appeared first on Voltage Control.

In 2013, I was a college freshman, navigating my way through new experiences and looking for meaningful ways to get involved. My initial steps into the world of political organizing began with a simple decision to attend a fossil fuel divestment meeting at Swarthmore College. At the time, I didn’t realize that this decision would set me on a path where facilitation would become an integral part of my work.

The meeting itself was unlike anything I had experienced before. It wasn’t just a lecture; it was a participatory session where everyone shared why they were there. This was the first time someone had asked me, “Why do you care about this issue?” and it left a significant impact on me. After that meeting, I was hooked. I quickly took on leadership roles within the organization, and facilitation became a core skill that I would develop through trial and error over the years.

In those early days, I didn’t have formal training in facilitation, but I learned by observing others and by being thrown into the deep end. I facilitated decision-making processes, group meetings, and coaching sessions, all while figuring out what worked and what didn’t. These experiences laid the foundation for my journey into facilitation, though it wasn’t until much later that I realized just how crucial these skills were.

Uncovering the Depths of Facilitation

As I continued to grow in my organizing work, the importance of facilitation became increasingly clear. I noticed that the most effective training sessions, meetings, and strategic discussions all had one thing in common: they were well-facilitated. However, I was often left feeling that there had to be a better way to engage people, especially when things didn’t go as planned.

One significant moment of realization came while running a six-week training program for organizers. Participants came from various organizations and countries, each with different levels of experience. The training was designed to be participatory, much like the sessions I had first experienced in college. Participants would engage with materials on their own and then apply what they learned in small group discussions. Reflecting on these sessions, I saw the difference that strong session design made. When participants were given the space to deeply engage according to their own interests and needs, the outcomes were far more impactful. It was clear that facilitation wasn’t just a skill—it was a key to unlocking meaningful learning,  leadership development, and more effective decision making.

This realization sparked a curiosity in me. I began to explore the world of facilitation more intentionally, seeking out resources and learning opportunities that could help me improve. I wanted to understand the tools and techniques that could make me a better facilitator, not just in my work but in any setting where people came together to solve problems and make decisions. This exploration eventually led me to Voltage Control, where I found a community and a wealth of knowledge that resonated with my experiences and aspirations.

Choosing Voltage Control

The decision to pursue formal training in facilitation was a natural progression for me. After a particularly challenging retreat that I facilitated, I found myself reflecting on what I could have done better. I discussed these thoughts with my manager, Randall, during one of our regular check-ins. I shared my desire to strengthen my facilitation skills, and that’s when Randall mentioned the certification program at Voltage Control.

He sent me a Slack message with the details, suggesting that it might be a good fit for my professional development. I was intrigued. The program promised a deep dive into facilitation with practical tools, hands-on practice, and the opportunity to learn from experienced facilitators. What really caught my attention was the idea of having dedicated time to focus solely on improving my facilitation skills, something I had never done before in such a structured way.

The decision felt easy. The timing worked out perfectly, and I was excited about the opportunity to learn and grow in an area that was so fundamental to my work. With Randall’s support, I signed up, ready to see how this experience could enhance not only my facilitation skills but also my overall approach to leadership.

Learning, Practicing, and Growing

The Voltage Control certification was a transformative experience. From the moment I started, I was immersed in a world of facilitation that was both familiar and entirely new. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the exposure to a diverse set of tools and methodologies that I hadn’t encountered before.

I particularly enjoyed diving into “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker. Even though I had read it before, this time I approached it with a facilitator’s mindset, which brought new insights. Parker’s ideas about creating intentional, meaningful gatherings resonated deeply with me. I started thinking more critically about how to design experiences that truly connect people and achieve their goals.

The hands-on practice sessions were another highlight. Facilitating an opener during one of our sessions, for example, gave me the chance to apply what I was learning in a supportive environment. It wasn’t just about getting feedback from instructors but also about learning from my peers. The breakout sessions and buddy meetups were incredibly valuable for this—providing both moral support and a space to exchange ideas and challenges with others who were on the same journey.

One of the most profound moments for me was the concept of the Groan Zone—understanding that the messiness in the middle of a conversation or decision-making process is not something to avoid but a necessary part of reaching meaningful outcomes. This realization has shifted how I approach facilitation, making me more comfortable with the discomfort that often accompanies deep, transformative work.

Overall, the certification didn’t just add to my toolkit—it shifted my perspective on what facilitation can achieve when done well. It was a journey of both personal and professional growth, and I came away with a renewed sense of purpose in my work.

Applying What I Learned

After completing the certification, I found myself approaching facilitation with a newfound confidence and clarity. One of the most significant changes was my ability to intentionally design conversations and workshops with clear goals in mind. The framework of Divergence, Groan Zone, and Convergence became a central part of how I structured group sessions, helping me guide participants through the natural flow of discussion without rushing to premature conclusions.

I also began to integrate more design thinking tools into my work. For instance, empathy maps and journey maps are staples in my planning process, especially when supporting community organizers to design ways of supporting new volunteers to engage in meaningful work and develop their skills and take on more responsibility and ownership over time. s. These tools have helped me create the conditions for participants to access their own knowledge and creativity, supporting their autonomous motivation, quality work outcomes, and commitment to the plans they create.

Even in one-on-one coaching sessions, the concepts I learned have made a difference. I’ve started incorporating a “portal in” process, such as box breathing or reflective coaching questions, to help participants center themselves before diving into the conversation, and a check out question to help participants recognize the progress they’ve made during the session and their problem solving skills. This small but significant change has made our sessions feel more focused and productive. The feedback I’ve received from clients and colleagues has been encouraging, affirming that these new approaches are making a real difference.

Overall, the certification has equipped me with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to facilitate meaningful conversations and processes. Whether in a large group setting or a one-on-one meeting, I feel more prepared to create environments where people can connect, collaborate, and achieve their goals.

Expanding My Facilitation Horizons

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue building on what I’ve learned. I’m particularly eager to explore more strategic facilitation, especially in areas like system change and narrative futures. These are the kinds of complex, dynamic challenges where facilitation can make a significant impact, and I’m keen to bring these advanced methods into my work.

One of my goals is to design new workshops and sessions that push the boundaries of what I’ve done before. I want to experiment with integrating design thinking even more deeply into my facilitation practice, particularly in how I approach group decision-making processes. The Voltage Control certification has given me a solid foundation, and now I’m ready to take it further, applying these skills to new and evolving challenges.

At the same time, I’m committed to continuing the reflective practices that have been so valuable to me. Whether it’s debriefing after a session, checking in with colleagues, or simply taking the time to revisit and deepen my knowledge of key facilitation concepts, I know that ongoing learning and reflection will be crucial to my growth.

If there’s one piece of advice I would offer to someone considering this certification, it’s to dedicate the time necessary to really dig into the materials and hone your skills because the results are worth it For me, it’s been an  empowering  journey that has supported me to develop more confidence in my  facilitation capabilities and the toolbox of experiences and resources I can lean on, as well as new ways of creating the conditions for  more effective leadership and collaboration.

The post From Organizing to Leadership Development appeared first on Voltage Control.

It all started during a time of deep change and reflection. I had spent years in education—teaching kindergarten and third grade, then English in South Korea, and later moving into training teachers in Malaysia and Brunei. My journey through these different settings had always been about helping others learn and grow, and I loved being in front of a group, guiding and making a difference. But when COVID hit, everything shifted. I transitioned out of a traditional classroom setting into something more corporate, supporting educators at Reading Horizons. And that’s when I began to feel it—a void, an unshakable feeling that something was missing. Fulfillment seemed to be slipping away, and I felt restless, yearning for something more.

I couldn’t ignore it. I threw myself into self-reflection, often finding myself staring at the digital vision board I had created—a collection of images that sparked something deep within me. In those images, I was standing in front of groups, leading discussions, creating a sense of connection and momentum. But at the time, I didn’t quite know how to translate those images into reality. What was my expertise? What was my purpose? My career in education had given me a wide range of experiences, but I couldn’t see a clear path forward.

It was during this time of introspection that I began reading books that guided my thinking. One of the books that changed my perspective was “10x Is Easier Than 2x” by Dan Sullivan. It wasn’t about doing more, but about focusing deeply on what truly brought joy and fulfillment. I also read “The Great Work of Your Life” by Steven Cope, which pushed me to uncover my true calling, and “Hero on a Mission” by Donald Miller, which helped me envision the legacy I wanted to create. Through these readings, I began to see a pattern—I was passionate about guiding others, but the missing piece was how to do that without the pressure of being a content expert.

And then, I stumbled upon the idea of facilitation. The realization came slowly, almost as if my subconscious had known all along. Facilitation wasn’t about being the subject matter expert; it was about creating space for others to think, learn, and grow together. The moment I understood that, everything clicked. The images on my vision board, the experiences I had loved most in my career—they were all pointing towards this. I didn’t need to be the expert; I needed to be the guide.

I remember sitting at my desk one afternoon, feeling the weight of my uncertainty, and suddenly I just knew—I needed to look beyond traditional teaching. Facilitation felt like the answer I had been searching for, and I decided then and there that I was going to pursue it fully. It wasn’t about being an expert in every subject; it was about being an expert in guiding others to uncover their own expertise. That shift in thinking was monumental for me.

A Growing Curiosity

Once I had that breakthrough, my curiosity turned into a fire. I wanted to know everything about facilitation—what it looked like, how it worked, and how I could make it my own. I started watching videos on YouTube, searching for facilitators in action. I scoured blogs, read articles, and sought out every piece of information I could find. The more I learned, the more I realized this was exactly what I had been searching for.

But it wasn’t just about consuming information; it was also about understanding how facilitation could fit into the work I was doing. At Reading Horizons, I had moved into a role that was largely behind-the-scenes support, far from the direct engagement I craved. I missed guiding groups, leading trainings, and being in the creative space of planning and executing learning experiences. I began to see facilitation as the bridge between where I was and where I wanted to be.

I remember vividly creating a section in my vision board app dedicated solely to career goals. I chose images that resonated with what I wanted—pictures of people standing in front of groups, leading discussions in a corporate setting. There was a photo of a woman with a flip chart, surrounded by people listening intently, and I knew that was where I wanted to be. I started envisioning myself in that role, and that vision became my guiding light.

I also began reaching out to others in the field, trying to understand their journeys. I connected with facilitators online, joined forums, and even reached out to people whose work I admired just to ask about their experiences. Each conversation brought me closer to understanding what facilitation could mean for me, and each story gave me a new perspective on what it means to lead without dictating, to guide without overpowering. I started practicing small facilitation techniques in my day-to-day work—running more effective meetings, asking better questions, and focusing on drawing out the wisdom of the group rather than imposing my own ideas.

Through all of this, I realized that facilitation wasn’t just about learning new techniques—it was a way to bring together all of my past experiences and create something meaningful. It was the “how” I had been missing, the key to unlocking the next chapter of my professional journey. I wanted to bring people together, help them see new possibilities, and be part of their growth. The spark was there, and I was ready to follow it wherever it led.

Finding Voltage Control

When I finally decided that I wanted to go deeper into facilitation, I turned to Google. I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, but I knew I needed formal training. I wanted something that would allow me to immerse myself, something comprehensive. I found a few different programs, but it was Voltage Control that truly stood out. Right from the start, something about it just felt right.

Voltage Control’s facilitation certification had everything I was looking for. It was aligned with the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) competencies, which gave me confidence that I would be learning from a program rooted in best practices. But more than that, it was the structure of the certification that drew me in—it wasn’t just a three-day workshop. It was three months of deep, immersive learning, with opportunities to practice, reflect, and grow.

I remember the exact moment I decided to apply. I was sitting at my kitchen table, laptop open, reading through the program details for the fifth time. The emphasis on experiential learning, the practical exercises, and the chance to be part of a cohort—all of it spoke to me. I could imagine myself there, learning alongside others who shared my passion for creating meaningful change. It wasn’t just about getting a certification; it was about transforming how I engaged with others.

The scholarship program was also a deciding factor for me. It made this dream accessible, and when I received the scholarship, it felt like the universe was telling me, “This is the path you need to take.” The more I read about the program, the more excited I became. I watched videos, read alumni stories, and downloaded an ebook about meetings. I wanted to consume everything Voltage Control had to offer before I even applied. I remember coming across an alumni story from someone with a background similar to mine—an educator who had found her passion in facilitation—and I felt like I was reading my own future.

I attended a virtual info session, and that’s when I knew without a doubt that this was what I needed. Listening to other facilitators speak about their journeys, the challenges they had faced, and the way facilitation had changed their approach to leadership, it all resonated so deeply. I wanted that transformation for myself. I wanted to be part of a community that valued growth, reflection, and the power of guiding others toward meaningful outcomes.

Certifying My Vision

Going through the certification process was transformative. It wasn’t just about learning new skills; it was about discovering who I wanted to be as a facilitator. Near the end of the program, we had to present our vision—how we wanted to show up in the world of facilitation. This exercise forced me to think deeply about my strengths, my passions, and how I could use facilitation to make an impact.

For me, it was about being a visionary. I wanted to help groups see what was possible and guide them toward that future. My number one strength, according to the StrengthsFinder assessment, is being futuristic, and that became a cornerstone of my vision. I realized that my strength was in seeing potential, in envisioning what could be, and using facilitation as a tool to help groups move from where they were to where they wanted to be.

The presentation of my vision wasn’t just an assignment—it was a powerful moment of self-affirmation. As I spoke about my desire to help create “positive peace”—a state of active well-being and collaborative growth—I could feel my purpose solidifying. Positive peace became my rallying cry. It wasn’t enough to avoid conflict; I wanted to help groups actively build something better, to contribute to their environments in meaningful ways.

Working with my cohort was another highlight. There was one peer in particular who was always asking the hard questions, the kind that made me stop and really reflect. It was challenging, but it was exactly what I needed. The whole environment was one of support and collective growth—everyone was committed to learning, to becoming better facilitators, and to helping each other along the way. The process of giving and receiving feedback, the “pluses and deltas,” was incredibly valuable. It helped me see my blind spots and provided clear guidance on how to improve.

The practical aspects of the certification were equally rewarding. I remember the first time I facilitated a session for my cohort—it was a mix of nerves and excitement. I was prepared, but facilitation isn’t just about preparation; it’s about reading the room, responding in the moment, and being open to what emerges. My cohort’s feedback after that session was invaluable—they pointed out strengths I hadn’t recognized in myself, and they gently highlighted areas for growth. That experience was pivotal in helping me understand my own facilitation style and how I could refine it.

From Realization to Transformation

Since completing the certification, facilitation has become an integral part of my role at Reading Horizons. The first major opportunity came when I was asked to facilitate a session with our executive team. We needed alignment on a major partnership decision, and I knew this was my chance to put my skills to the test. I was nervous—this was the C-suite, after all—but I trusted the process I had learned. I made sure that every voice was heard, that the conversation moved forward constructively, and by the end of the session, we had reached consensus. The feedback was incredible—they told me it was one of the most productive meetings they had ever had.

From there, more opportunities began to open up. I facilitated strategy sessions, and I was even asked to lead the creation of an advisory council made up of educators—something our Chief Academic Officer, Stacey, had been dreaming of but didn’t quite know how to execute. I used the skills I had learned at Voltage Control to design and facilitate those meetings, and it was incredibly rewarding to see it come to life. Stacey even joked that facilitation should be my full-time role, and honestly, that’s exactly what I want.

Another memorable moment came when I facilitated an “innovation lab” with our strategy team. My supervisor let me try something new with the team—facilitating a session focused on innovation and idea generation. I used tools like the cover story exercise, which I had learned during the certification, to help the group think beyond the present and envision bold new possibilities. It was such a success that our Chief Strategy Officer, Stephanie, asked me to facilitate a multi-week 10x Idea Lab series to help the organization think more innovatively. It was an idea lab inspired by the book “10x Is Easier Than 2x.”

In addition to these formal opportunities, I began incorporating facilitation into day-to-day interactions at work. I found myself using facilitation techniques during team meetings—making space for everyone’s input, asking open-ended questions, and ensuring that quieter voices were heard. The impact was tangible. Meetings that had once been dominated by a few voices became more balanced, and our team started generating better ideas and making more thoughtful decisions.

I also took what I had learned into other spaces, volunteering to facilitate workshops for community groups and even leading some sessions on intercultural understanding—a passion project that allowed me to combine my love for education with my new facilitation skills. These experiences taught me that facilitation is not just about corporate environments; it’s a way of leading that can create meaningful change in all areas of life.

What’s Next

Looking ahead, I see facilitation as being at the core of my professional journey. Ideally, I would love to do this work full-time—either within my current company or independently, working with a variety of organizations across different sectors. The idea of “positive peace” really resonates with me. It’s not just about the absence of conflict; it’s about actively creating the conditions for positive growth and meaningful change. That’s what I want to help organizations do.

I also want to broaden my experience—working with different types of groups, in different industries, on different kinds of problems. I want to help people align around a shared vision, solve complex challenges, and innovate. Facilitation has given me the tools to do that, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.

One of my dreams is to create a network of facilitators dedicated to positive change—people who see facilitation not just as a job, but as a calling. I envision hosting retreats, running training programs, and building a supportive community where facilitators can learn from each other and grow together. There’s something incredibly powerful about a group of like-minded individuals coming together with the intention of making a difference, and I want to help create that space.

If you’re considering Voltage Control’s facilitation certification, my advice is simple: just do it. Be ready to be challenged, to shift your perspective, and to grow in ways you can’t yet imagine. This is not just a skill-building exercise; it’s an opportunity to transform how you engage with others, how you lead, and how you contribute to the world around you. Facilitation is powerful—if you feel the pull, follow it.

The post Facilitating My Way to Fulfillment appeared first on Voltage Control.

Growing up in a small town in Alberta, Canada, family gatherings were a touchstone of connection for me. These Lebanese family get-togethers were filled with the comforting scents of home-cooked food, laughter, and the gentle nudging of aunts and uncles insisting their dish was the best. These moments taught me something fundamental about the dynamics of bringing people together. The gatherings were unstructured—a swirl of conversations, kids playing, adults immersed in their discussions, and those of us who were too old to be kids but too young to join the adults, floating somewhere in between. It was chaotic, messy, and wonderful, but most importantly, it was about belonging.

In our rural town of about 500 people, we were the only Lebanese family. There were no others around us who shared our culture or understood our traditions. I always felt caught between two worlds—the old values my parents insisted upon and the Western norms I saw around me. My lunchbox was a symbol of this duality. While my friends had PB&J sandwiches and Lunchables, mine held foods like labneh and kafta, dishes that turned heads in the school cafeteria. Delicious as they were, they also made me stand out—not always in a comfortable way. This feeling of being disconnected from those around me was the seed that later grew into my fascination with facilitation.

Those early gatherings taught me a lot about human connection, even if I didn’t fully understand it at the time. The sense of community, the shared meals, and the organic way conversations flowed all pointed to the magic of bringing people together without a rigid plan. There was a spontaneity that made these moments special. I started to realize, even at a young age, that the magic of connection often lies in creating space for people to simply be themselves, to come together and be seen. As a child, I remember how I would linger on the fringes, observing how my family members interacted, how laughter bubbled up unexpectedly, and how people found their own ways to bond. It left a lasting impression on me—one that continued to evolve as I grew older.

Volunteering, Joy, and a Call to Facilitate

As I grew older, I started to notice the importance of creating spaces where people felt seen and heard. I began volunteering for young professional groups, joining boards, and even starting a community project called JOYMOB, where we organized spontaneous dance events to spread joy in our community. It dawned on me that I loved the act of bringing people together for shared experiences—experiences that left us all feeling a little less alone, a little more connected.

Volunteering gave me a first-hand understanding of the power of facilitation, even if I didn’t yet have the words for it. I found myself naturally gravitating towards roles where I could help foster connection—whether it was organizing gatherings, creating social events, or leading group activities. I realized that people often needed a nudge, a reason to come together, and that once they did, something truly beautiful happened. It wasn’t about grand gestures or elaborate plans; it was about creating a space where people felt comfortable enough to engage.

During this journey, I stumbled across a YouTube video by Peter Sharp, a facilitator from Australia, who danced on a morning commute train. He danced alone at first, in a suit, with the entire train watching—and eventually, others joined him. Watching him, I felt a wave of nervousness and excitement. I realized that facilitation was about being willing to stand alone at first, to be vulnerable enough to make a fool of yourself so that others might join in. His courage inspired me, and in 2018, I organized my first JOYMOB event—a global dance party in Salt Lake City—and 60 people showed up. It was a moment of pure magic and a realization that facilitating joy and connection was something I wanted to do more of.

I remember the energy of that first event—the way strangers came together, at first shyly, then with growing enthusiasm. There was laughter, music, and an unspoken sense of unity that permeated the air. It was one of those experiences that confirmed what I had always believed: people are craving connection, and sometimes all it takes is someone willing to take the first step. From that day on, I knew that I wanted to keep doing this work—creating spaces where people could drop their inhibitions and simply connect.

Choosing Voltage Control

Fast forward a few years to 2020, and the world had shifted. With in-person events on pause, I was at a loss. I didn’t know how to translate the spontaneity and joy of physical gatherings into a virtual space. It was around that time I discovered Priya Parker’s book, *The Art of Gathering*, and realized that meaningful connection could indeed happen online—I just needed to understand how. Around the same time, a friend of mine, Chris, who had been through Voltage Control’s facilitation program, shared his experience with me. He spoke about the curriculum, the community, and how the program had helped him make a similar transition. It felt like all the signs were pointing me toward Voltage Control. So, I leaned in.

Making the decision to join Voltage Control was not an easy one. I had doubts—could an online program really teach me how to create the kind of magic I had experienced in person? Would I be able to adapt to a new way of doing things? But hearing Chris’s stories about the supportive community and the tangible skills he gained reassured me. He described how the program wasn’t just about learning techniques; it was about understanding yourself as a facilitator, about finding your voice and using it to guide others. That resonated deeply with me, and I knew I had to give it a try.

Experiencing the Voltage Control Certification

The three months I spent with Voltage Control were eye-opening. I remember feeling incredibly vulnerable in those early days. I had so many questions, many of which seemed silly to me. But the cohort created an environment of psychological safety—we were all learning, all supporting each other. One of the most challenging parts of the program was the portfolio work. At first, I struggled to articulate my facilitation style and the shift I wanted to create in my participants. But as the course went on, it clicked. I began to understand that my role was to guide people from a state of disconnection to one of authentic joy and presence.

The highlight, though, was the community—the connections I built with my peers. Some of us shared backgrounds in the arts, and that mutual understanding helped deepen our bonds. I even reconnected with Chris on a whole new level—together, we co-facilitated events and eventually became chapter leaders of a global speaker series. We had the chance to put into practice what we learned, to support one another, and to experiment with new ideas. It was incredibly fulfilling to see our growth as facilitators and as leaders.

The portfolio work that initially felt daunting became a source of immense pride. I learned to articulate my unique facilitation style, to define the shifts I wanted to create, and to understand the emotional journey of my participants. The clarity I gained from this work was transformative—it helped me see my strengths in a new light, and it gave me a framework for continuing to grow and evolve. I began to see facilitation not just as a skill, but as an art—something that requires empathy, courage, and creativity.

New Paths, New Possibilities

Since completing the certification, my work has evolved significantly. I’ve brought the art of joyful connection into corporate spaces, helping teams build authentic relationships with each other through JOYMOB events. I used to be daunted by the prospect of corporate work, but Voltage Control gave me the courage to step into that world with confidence. Today, my client list includes organizations that have invited me back again and again, turning one-off events into ongoing partnerships. The tools I learned—like think-pair-share and Priya Parker’s idea of generous authority—helped me navigate and guide discussions in ways that felt inclusive and empowering.

I’ve also expanded the types of experiences I offer. Beyond traditional team-building, I’ve facilitated sessions on creative problem-solving, empathy-building, and even sessions that use movement and music to unlock new ways of thinking. I’ve seen firsthand how incorporating elements of play and spontaneity can lead to deeper, more authentic connections, even in professional settings. There is something incredibly powerful about seeing people drop their guard, even just for a moment, and engage with one another in a real, human way.

The ripple effects of this work have been remarkable. One client, after attending a team-building session, shared that it was the first time in years they had felt truly connected to their colleagues. Another told me that the exercises we did together helped them approach a long-standing internal conflict with new empathy and understanding. These are the moments that remind me why I do this work—because when people connect, they are capable of incredible things.

Looking Ahead

The TEDx Talk I recently gave was the culmination of all these experiences—a chance to bring together the lessons I’ve learned about creating movements and sparking joy. It was an opportunity to stand on stage and share my story, to talk about the power of vulnerability, and to encourage others to take that first step towards connection. Preparing for the talk was an intense journey in itself—six months of practice, refining my message, and working with coaches to ensure that my words resonated. The experience was transformative, and it solidified my desire to continue speaking and sharing my journey.

In the coming years, I want to do more public speaking, more facilitation for larger groups, and ultimately work with organizations to foster environments where belonging is not just a temporary experience within a workshop, but a constant state of being. My dream is to create communities where joy and connection are woven into the everyday fabric of life—at work, in public, and at home. I want to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations who share my vision, who believe that connection and belonging are at the heart of everything we do.

I also hope to mentor others who are just starting their journey into facilitation. I know how daunting it can be to take those first steps, to put yourself out there, and I want to be the person who says, “You can do this.” I want to help others find their voice, to discover their unique style, and to experience the profound joy that comes from facilitating meaningful connection. There is so much potential in the world, so much untapped creativity and empathy, and I believe facilitation is one of the keys to unlocking it.

If I were to leave someone considering the certification with a piece of advice, it would be this: really beautiful things can happen when you trust yourself enough to lean into the stretch zone. For me, the certification was that stretch—a leap into something unknown—and what I found on the other side was community, courage, and a deep sense of belonging. The journey isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it. Lean in, trust yourself, and be open to the magic that unfolds.

The post Belonging Through Facilitation appeared first on Voltage Control.

I was first introduced to facilitation back in 2016, right after I finished grad school. I had just landed a job as an associate program manager for an anti-bias education program—a position I wasn’t entirely sure I was prepared for, but I was eager to learn. At that time, I had mostly seen traditional presentation styles of learning, where the leader was the one speaking, and everyone else was there to listen. It was effective, sure, but it often felt disconnected. I noticed people weren’t really bringing their own voices into the room, and as a result, they weren’t fully engaged.

The facilitation model I encountered was unlike anything I had experienced before. Our programs weren’t about presenting or training; they were about guiding participants through shared activities, letting them use their own experiences to discover insights. As soon as I began co-facilitating those sessions, I saw the power of shifting the dynamic from the leader as the sole source of knowledge to the leader as someone creating space for others to explore and connect. It was eye-opening. Participants weren’t just learning; they were engaging deeply, reflecting on their own identities, and shaping their own understanding in a way that felt meaningful.

That work, especially in the context of anti-bias education, was both challenging and rewarding. I witnessed firsthand how much more powerful difficult conversations could be when people felt safe to share. Facilitation allowed me to invite people into a conversation rather than deliver information to them, and that made all the difference—not just for them, but for me as well. I found myself growing more confident not only in leading discussions but in holding the tension that came with difficult topics. I realized that the magic of facilitation lay in giving people the tools to express themselves, in their own way, on topics that mattered.

Two years into the role, I was promoted to our national education team, and that’s when facilitation became a real cornerstone of my work. I had the opportunity to take what I had learned and adapt it internally, whether in team meetings, program strategy sessions, or even planning our learning and development initiatives. I began to experiment—bringing facilitative tools into meetings to make them more collaborative, and even using facilitation techniques for strategic program planning. I was no longer just deploying programs; I was working with others to rethink and redesign how we approached our work. And that’s when it hit me: facilitation wasn’t just a way to teach. It was a way to create spaces that were inclusive, dynamic, and transformative.

Exploring the World of Facilitation

By late 2022, I had begun to realize that facilitation could be a tool for more than just delivering our programs. I started to get curious about what else was out there—other approaches, other techniques, other facilitators. I started digging into the world of facilitation more broadly, and I quickly realized that there was so much more to learn. I read articles, attended webinars, and even tried a few online courses. What I found was both exciting and a little daunting: facilitation wasn’t just one thing; it was a broad, evolving field with countless methodologies, styles, and tools.

One thing that stood out to me was how facilitation seemed to be thriving in fields like product design and agile project management. There were entire communities dedicated to applying facilitation techniques to help teams solve complex problems, innovate, and collaborate better. I remember feeling a mix of inspiration and intimidation—these were areas I had no background in, yet the principles of facilitation felt familiar. It was exhilarating to see how adaptable facilitation could be, and it made me wonder how I could bring these diverse techniques into my own work.

Around that time, I also started connecting with other facilitators. I joined online forums and participated in virtual meetups, which gave me a sense of community that I didn’t realize I needed. These spaces were full of people who, like me, were passionate about creating inclusive environments and helping others succeed. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. I was hooked—not just on the idea of facilitation, but on the potential it held for transforming the way we work together, across any field or industry.

Choosing Voltage Control

My exploration eventually led me to Voltage Control. I stumbled upon one of their info sessions, and something just clicked. Here was an organization that wasn’t about prescribing a single method or approach—it was about helping facilitators find their own way, using the tools and techniques that best fit their style and context. It was the first time I found a program that emphasized facilitation as a personal journey, not just a set of skills to master.

I attended an info session, and then another. I met Erik and immediately felt that Voltage Control had something different to offer—something that was more human-centered, more adaptable, and ultimately more meaningful to me. The focus wasn’t just on learning facilitation techniques, but on understanding yourself as a facilitator and developing your own authentic style. That’s when I knew this was the right step for me. I signed up for their certification program, ready to take my facilitation journey to the next level.

Finding My Facilitation Identity

Voltage Control’s certification program was transformative. It was structured, but flexible enough that I could explore my own facilitation style. Each session was both a learning experience and a chance for reflection. One of the most impactful parts of the program was the portfolio I created—artifacts that showcased my facilitation journey, both past and future. Looking back at the early artifacts and then seeing the ones I created toward the end, I could literally see my growth. The exercises weren’t just about mastering new techniques; they were about figuring out who I was as a facilitator.

Another major highlight was the community I became part of. My cohort was filled with people from all sorts of backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspective to the table. We learned from each other, supported each other, and grew together. The feedback I received during practice sessions was invaluable—it helped me understand my strengths and the areas where I could push myself further. And Erik, our facilitator, modeled what true curiosity looks like in practice. He showed us how to stay open, ask the right questions, and trust the group to find its way.

The program also helped me expand my toolkit. I learned new techniques for managing group dynamics, handling conflict, and creating inclusive spaces. I remember one session in particular where we explored different ways of responding to difficult moments—using silence, redirecting questions, and inviting others in the group to share their thoughts. These weren’t just abstract concepts; they were practical skills I could immediately apply in my work.

Transforming My Work

After completing the certification, I started to see my role in a new light. Facilitation wasn’t just a part of my job—it was the lens through which I approached everything. I began using facilitation techniques not only in our anti-bias education programs but in team meetings, cross-departmental projects, and even in one-on-one conversations. My confidence as a facilitator grew, and so did my impact. I found that people were more engaged, more willing to share, and more invested in the outcomes when they felt they had a voice.

One of the biggest changes was how I approached strategic initiatives. I began facilitating discovery sessions for different departments, helping them align on goals and collaborate more effectively. I was asked to consult on projects that were outside my typical scope—helping other teams redesign their programs, plan for the future, and solve complex challenges. The skills I developed through the certification gave me the confidence to step into these roles and trust that I could add value, even if the subject matter was new to me.

The most rewarding part has been seeing how these facilitative approaches have shifted our organizational culture. Meetings that used to be a slog are now more dynamic. Teams that used to struggle with alignment are now collaborating more smoothly. And I’ve received feedback from colleagues who say that they feel more included, more heard, and more motivated. Facilitation has transformed not just my career, but also my relationship to my work and my colleagues.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep expanding my facilitation practice. I want to take on more consulting projects, working with teams and organizations that are facing tough challenges and need help figuring out how to move forward. I also want to continue teaching facilitation—helping others discover the power of this approach, just like I did. Whether it’s through workshops, coaching, or one-on-one mentorship, I see myself as someone who helps others unlock their potential by creating spaces where they can show up fully and contribute meaningfully. Facilitation has given me a sense of purpose, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.

To anyone considering taking the leap into facilitation, I’d say this: be ready for a journey that is as personal as it is professional. It’s not just about learning tools and techniques—it’s about discovering who you are as a leader, how you show up for others, and how you can create environments where people thrive. It’s challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding. And if you’re ready to explore what’s possible, Voltage Control is an incredible place to start.

The post From Grad School to a Facilitative Leader appeared first on Voltage Control.

It was the late ’90s, and I found myself sitting in a room at Carlson Wagonlit Travel, watching my colleague Juliann Wiese work her magic. I had always considered myself a pretty effective trainer, but what Juliann was doing was something entirely different. While I was used to sharing my experiences and teaching others through technical training, Juliann seemed to pull the best out of everyone in the room. She didn’t just tell them what to do—she invited them to share, collaborate, and contribute in a way that was engaging and respectful of their collective knowledge. She created an environment where everyone felt heard, where the group’s wisdom took center stage, and it was a revelation to me.

It was like she held a key I didn’t even know I was searching for. Watching Juliann that day planted a seed in my mind. It showed me a new approach that wasn’t about being the one with all the answers, but about facilitating something greater: a shared exploration of ideas. It wasn’t just about imparting information; it was about fostering connection, creating opportunities for learning to emerge naturally from the group itself. And as someone with a background in psychology, particularly in industrial-organizational psychology, it began to dawn on me that facilitation could be the key to helping organizations truly thrive. I started to understand that the role of a facilitator wasn’t to be a teacher in the traditional sense, but a catalyst for insight and growth.

Over the years, Juliann became a role model for me. I worked alongside her, trying to learn her methods—though at the time, I didn’t even have a word for what I was seeing. I just knew I liked how it made people feel valued and engaged. It was a way of leading that allowed others to shine, and I couldn’t get enough of it. I realized that facilitation was about empowering people, about giving them the space to contribute their best ideas and make meaningful connections. It was more than just leading a session; it was creating an atmosphere where magic could happen.

Curiosity Opened New Doors

After Carlson Wagonlit, I moved into a leadership role at Arizona Public Service. My team was responsible for training call center employees to deal with everything from billing issues to safety concerns. This time, I wasn’t just training—I was leading. And the shift in perspective was profound. I realized that I could no longer know everything my team did. I couldn’t tell them exactly how to do their jobs; I had to help them succeed in a different way. I had to trust their expertise and guide them to find their own solutions, which required an entirely new mindset.

Facilitation became more and more important as I stepped away from technical training and moved into leadership. I wasn’t just teaching skills anymore; I was helping people thrive. I found myself putting more emphasis on community and partnership—not just as words, but as the foundation for everything we did. It was an evolving practice for me, learning how to help others bring their best, and a reminder that sometimes leadership is about stepping back and letting the team step forward. I learned that facilitation could be a powerful tool for leadership, allowing people to feel seen, heard, and capable of achieving great things together.

When I moved on to a role at Choice Hotels, I dove into organizational development. I was also working on my PhD at the time and my work, education and experience combined to support the people in the organization in unqiue ways. My work focused on talent reviews, succession planning, and performance systems—all areas that required an entirely different level of facilitation. I brought in ideas from change management programs I had studied, including Prosci, but I often felt like I was fumbling my way through, LEGOing together pieces of different approaches that seemed to fit. It was a learning journey, and I loved every minute of it. Each new project was an opportunity to experiment, to test different facilitation techniques, and to see what resonated most with people. The more I learned, the more I realized that facilitation wasn’t just a skill—it was an art, and it was one that I was committed to mastering. At the same time I incorporated the skills of professional and executive coaching. I completed my professional coaching credential (PCC) with 500 hours of coaching experience I was certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). The impact of learning the skills of coaching had a profound effect on me. Particularly in how I faciliate; the skills of listening and asking powerful questions apply seamlessly to facilitation.

Finding Voltage Control

I heard about Voltage Control through Change Enthusiasm Global (CEG). A colleague of mine noticed a post for a instructional designer role and while that isn’t what I’m focused on, I really saw something in the team and what they were doing really spoke to me.They offer the connection to emotions, which is the missing link for most change management programs.  In a perfect turn of fate, they ended up bring me on as an advisor instead of offering me the ID role. The first order of business was to build out and launch there flagship workshop offering and they had hired Voltage Control to facilitate that process using their Workshop Design methodology. 

I had been through many training programs, learned a lot from watching other facilitators, and even delivered some pretty good sessions myself—but  I knew there was more to it. I was always looking for the science behind the art of facilitation, and watching Erik and Douglas work was a shining example of that. I immediately knew that their training offered real potential. It was a chance to take everything I had learned so far and add a level of depth and rigor that I felt was missing.

As part of CEG’s partnership with Voltage Control, the require their facilitators to complete Voltage Control’s Facilitation Certification. While it was framed to me as a requirement for my role with CEG, it was more than that—it was a chance to learn what made the facilitators at Voltage Control so effective. I wanted to see behind the curtain and understand the techniques they used, the theories they applied, and how they structured these experiences. I wanted to take what I had been LEGOing together and finally make it into something more cohesive. I was eager to learn how to create sessions that were not only effective but also transformative, sessions that people would remember and talk about long after they were over.

The Journey to Certification

The Certification experience was more than I had hoped for. One of the biggest highlights for me was working with Mural. It was my first time using the platform, and it opened up a whole new way of engaging people in virtual sessions. Suddenly, virtual facilitation wasn’t just a necessity; it was an opportunity to bring people together in ways I hadn’t thought possible before. I learned how to leverage visual collaboration tools to make sessions dynamic and interactive, and it completely transformed the way I approached online meetings.

The structure of the program also stood out to me. There was something about having a final portfolio project that really pushed me. It wasn’t just about learning; it was about showing what I had learned, about putting something out into the world that was uniquely mine. For me, that turned into a redesign of my website, using facilitation principles to show the kind of work I do and the kind I aspire to do. It was a powerful exercise in defining my identity as a facilitator, and it made me think deeply about my goals and the impact I wanted to have.

Another highlight was the community. There were so many diverse, talented people in my cohort, and it was inspiring to see how they approached facilitation—their creativity, their unique perspectives, and their willingness to share and learn from one another. It was truly a community of practice. We weren’t just learning from the instructors; we were learning from each other, and that collective learning was incredibly powerful. I formed connections that have lasted well beyond the program, and I continue to be inspired by the work my peers are doing.

Transforming My Work

Since completing the certification, facilitation has become an even bigger part of my work. I use Mural in almost every virtual session I run now—it keeps people engaged and connected, even when we’re not in the same room. I’ve also leaned heavily on the resources we were given during the program. Whenever I need a new activity or an icebreaker, I go back to the books and materials from Voltage Control. It’s like having a toolkit that’s always there when I need it. I feel more prepared, more creative, and more willing to try new things.

More than anything, though, the program gave me confidence. Confidence that I knew what I was doing, that I could create the right environment for people to succeed, and that I had a community behind me. That confidence has transformed the way I approach my work. I’m not just facilitating meetings; I’m creating spaces where people can truly connect and make progress. I’ve seen firsthand how the right facilitation can lead to breakthroughs, to moments of insight that change the direction of a project or even an entire team’s dynamic. It’s incredibly rewarding, and it reminds me why I fell in love with facilitation in the first place.

Looking to the Future

Looking ahead, I want to keep building on what I’ve learned. I’d love to write a book—maybe a few—about leadership and facilitation. I want to share the lessons I’ve learned, the stories of transformation I’ve witnessed, and the power of facilitation to make real change. I’m also passionate about mentoring others who are just starting out, whether they’re looking to become facilitators or just want to make a bigger impact within their organizations. For me, facilitation is about helping teams thrive, and I want to continue doing that, whether it’s through direct work, writing, or community involvement.

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the work we do as facilitators matters. It helps people communicate better, work more effectively, and ultimately thrive in their environments. I want to keep being a part of that. The more I facilitate, the more I see the potential for facilitation to transform not just meetings, but entire organizations. It’s about building cultures where collaboration is the norm, where people feel empowered to contribute, and where innovation can flourish.

To anyone considering the certification: Don’t freak out about the portfolio. Lean into it. Use it as a chance to grow, to think about who you are as a facilitator, and who you want to be. The process isn’t just about getting certified—it’s about evolving, and figuring out what facilitation means to you. The more you lean in, the more you’ll get out of it. And trust me, it’s worth it.

The post Finding My Own Voice in Facilitation appeared first on Voltage Control.

About a decade ago, I found myself in the middle of a strategy exercise that would become a turning point in my career. I was working at Ophea, a well-known non-profit that focuses on health and wellbeing in Ontario schools, and we were undergoing a major strategy revision. The organization brought in Robin Corey to lead the session—a name that has become integral to my story. Robin’s facilitation style was magnetic. She wasn’t mechanical or rigid. Instead, she brought energy, engagement, and an effortless way of commanding the room. I remember watching her with admiration, thinking, “I don’t know where she learned how to do what she does, but I want to learn it too.”

There was something captivating about how she managed the group, pivoted when needed, and kept everyone authentically engaged. She made facilitation look easy, yet I knew there was a deep skill set underlying her ability to guide us through complex conversations while ensuring all voices were heard. The way she facilitated resonated with me, and I knew I had to find a way to learn these skills. It wasn’t just a desire to facilitate—it felt personal, like a missing piece in how I wanted to show up in the world.

Over the years, I kept reconnecting with Robin, first as she worked with Ophea again, and later when we began co-facilitating sessions ourselves. She became an unofficial mentor, and our partnership evolved into an ongoing collaboration. We would cross paths in various projects, whether she was leading the room or I was, always with a mutual understanding of what it means to facilitate with purpose. It was during this time that I truly started seeing myself as a facilitator—even if I didn’t fully realize it then. Robin’s influence has been pivotal, and she has remained a key figure in my journey, constantly pushing me to grow and think about facilitation in new ways.

A New Curiosity

Robin had planted the seed, and soon enough, I was looking beyond my immediate environment and exploring facilitation more deeply. I had already begun to emulate what I had seen her do—creating a more democratic space for different voices and encouraging participation in a meaningful way. But the more I tried to facilitate, the more I realized that there was an entire world of approaches and techniques I had yet to discover.

One thing that always stood out to me was the power of presence—something Robin embodied effortlessly. It wasn’t just about being in the room; it was about truly engaging with every person there. I remember noticing small things, like how Robin would stay off mute during virtual meetings. It was her way of being present, and I found myself adopting that practice as well. I realized that facilitation wasn’t about controlling a conversation but rather about being there with people, guiding them through whatever emerged. It was about allowing the space for everyone to feel seen and heard and to bring their best selves to the conversation.

The more I facilitated, the more I enjoyed it, and the more I sought opportunities to learn. I began experimenting with liberating structures—different tools and methods that encouraged diverse voices to come forward. There was a sense of discovery each time I tried something new, and I could feel myself growing, both as a facilitator and as a leader. My curiosity eventually led me to Voltage Control, thanks to Robin’s encouragement. She saw in me a desire to go beyond the basics, and Voltage Control offered me an opportunity to take my facilitation skills to a new level.

Choosing Voltage Control

When Robin first mentioned Voltage Control to me, I was a bit skeptical. I wondered if I had the time to truly commit to a certification program—hours of in-class time, readings, and practice. It felt like a big commitment, and I was unsure if I could juggle it all with my current responsibilities. But Robin had never steered me wrong before, and I trusted her judgment. She’s one of the busiest people I know, and if she was making time for this, then it must be worth it.

I was also hesitant because, in the charitable sector, professional development often has to be cheap or free. Voltage Control was the most expensive learning opportunity I had ever considered, even with the scholarship I received. But when I pitched the idea to my executive director, Chris, I framed it as an investment not just in my growth, but in the way we convene and create change at Ophea. Facilitation was already a core part of how we worked, and this was about leveling up.

Chris agreed, and I jumped in. The timing was perfect, as I had several convenings lined up that allowed me to apply my learning immediately. And while I was nervous about joining a group of strangers, I quickly found that the cohort was one of the most supportive spaces I had ever experienced. It was clear from the beginning that this journey was going to be transformative. I felt a profound sense of excitement and purpose that I hadn’t felt in a long time. It wasn’t just about learning new skills; it was about becoming part of a community that valued facilitation as much as I did.

Highlights and Growth

From the very first session, I felt a connection to the Voltage Control approach. Eric’s presence as a facilitator was impactful, and I found myself jotting down notes on even the smallest things—phrases he used and ways he guided the group. One phrase that stuck with me was, “I’m going to move us all to a pause.” It was such a simple, elegant way to redirect energy, and it’s something I use all the time now. It taught me that sometimes, facilitation is about creating moments of reflection and allowing space for the group to catch up with itself.

The cohort itself was another highlight. Some of the relationships I built during that time continue to this day. I loved the way we were partnered up for different exercises—some partners were fantastic, others less so, but that was part of the beauty of the experience. It mirrored real-life facilitation, where you don’t always get to choose who’s in the room. It taught me to adapt, to find value in every interaction, and to stay open to learning. The diversity of thought and experience within the cohort enriched my understanding of facilitation in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.

Skye, who supported Erik during the cohort, also left a strong impression on me. Her facilitation style was distinct from Erik’s, and it was refreshing to see different approaches in action. Skye had a calm, grounding presence that complemented Erik’s dynamic energy. It reinforced the idea that there is no one right way to facilitate—only the way that works best for you and the people you’re guiding. Seeing her in action gave me permission to embrace my own style, to lean into my strengths, and to trust my instincts.

Bringing Facilitation Back to My Work

One of the most immediate impacts of the certification was how I approached our annual board and staff convening. Traditionally, this meeting was highly structured, with a standardized agenda that left little room for creativity. I proposed a different approach: a facilitated experience that focused on connection, reflection, and purpose. To my delight, my colleagues were open to it, and the results were incredible.

I used liberating structures, music, and even a tessellation activity to help participants share their stories and connect on a deeper level. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive—board members called it a “master class in facilitation.” For me, it was proof that the tools and techniques I had learned were not just theoretical; they had the power to transform how people engaged with each other and with the work we were doing. It was amazing to see people who were normally quiet come forward with ideas, and to witness a genuine sense of camaraderie develop throughout the session.

Since then, facilitation has become even more embedded in our culture at Ophea. It’s not just about having meetings; it’s about designing experiences that bring out the best in everyone involved. I’ve seen a shift in how my colleagues think about convening, and it feels like we’re all moving towards a more intentional, meaningful way of working together. People are asking better questions, being more deliberate about who is in the room, and ensuring that every voice is heard. This shift has led to more effective meetings, stronger collaboration, and a deeper sense of connection among our team.

What’s Next for Me

Looking ahead, I see facilitation as an essential part of my career and my identity. I aspire to move into a more senior leadership role, and I know that facilitation will be a critical part of how I lead. It’s about creating spaces where people feel heard, where diverse perspectives are valued, and where we can collectively imagine a better future. I envision a culture where facilitation is not just a skill but a way of leading that empowers everyone to contribute fully.

Facilitation will always be at the core of what I do. It’s not just a skill set—it’s a way of being that allows me to make the kind of impact I want to see in the world. I want to continue to create spaces where real change can happen—where people can connect, dream, and work together towards a shared vision. To anyone considering the Voltage Control certification, my advice is simple: you get out of it what you put into it. Embrace the experience, dive deep, and let it transform the way you engage with others. The journey is incredibly rewarding, and the tools you gain will serve you for a lifetime. It’s not just about professional development—it’s about personal growth and discovering a new way of interacting with the world. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, build confidence, or become a catalyst for change, this certification will take you there.

The post A Decade of Discovery appeared first on Voltage Control.

I first encountered facilitation years ago while working at Behavioral Health Works, Inc. in California. Our organization was rapidly growing, expanding into new states, and facing the inevitable challenges that come with scaling. To help us align as a team and address the disconnects between our various locations, our CEO brought in a facilitator. This was the first time I saw facilitation in action, and it left a lasting impression.

The facilitator took the time to interview each of us individually, gathering our thoughts and concerns before we came together as a group. During that interview, he asked probing questions—questions about what was working, what wasn’t, and how we felt about the challenges we faced. It felt personal and allowed us to open up in a way that we might not have if it had been an internal process. When we finally gathered, about 35 of us from different locations, it didn’t feel like just another meeting. Instead, it was a structured, engaging process where we collaboratively defined our problems and brainstormed solutions. The facilitator guided us through the process, writing down our contributions and ensuring that everyone had a voice in the conversation.

What struck me most was how smoothly it all went. We created workgroups around the challenges we identified and, in a short time, accomplished far more than I thought possible. It was impressive how much we accomplished in a short time—and how everyone felt like they had a voice. After that experience, I moved on to other roles, and facilitation faded to the back of my mind. But the memory of the energy in the room and how smoothly things had gone during that session lingered, especially as I found myself in less effective meetings. I started to recognize how powerful facilitation could be in creating productive, engaging discussions that moved organizations forward.

From Bookshelves to Curiosity: My Path to Learning More

Years later, my interest in facilitation resurfaced while I was browsing through business books at a local bookstore. I stumbled upon The Design Thinking Toolbox and Visual Collaboration, two books that piqued my curiosity. Flipping through them, I realized that there were actual techniques and methodologies for leading collaborative efforts, much like the facilitator I had worked with years before. I was particularly drawn to the idea that there were structured ways to get people engaged, contributing, and problem-solving together—just like in that first facilitation experience I had experienced.

At that time, I was also facing new challenges in my role. I had begun managing a remote team, and the lack of physical presence made it difficult to create the same kind of engagement that happens in person. I started exploring IBM’s Design Thinking program, hoping it would give me some of the tools I needed to manage these challenges. However, it quickly became clear that the program was more tailored to product design, which wasn’t exactly what I needed. I wasn’t looking to develop products—I wanted to find ways to engage my teams, especially as I moved into leadership roles and began managing a remote team.

While I found valuable information in those books and courses, I realized that reading alone wouldn’t help me truly internalize these concepts. I’ve always been a more hands-on learner, and for someone like me, who tends to be more quiet and reserved, experiential learning would be far more effective. I needed something more hands-on to really grasp the power of facilitation.

Reviews, Relevance, and Timing

As I dug deeper into facilitation and design thinking, I knew I needed a more immersive learning experience. That’s when I started researching certification programs, looking for one that would help me truly embrace facilitation and apply it in my work. I came across several options, but Voltage Control stood out. The reviews were glowing, and it was clear that people from diverse backgrounds—not just professional facilitators—were benefiting from their programs. The stories of others finding value in the program, regardless of their job title or background, gave me the confidence that it would be a good fit for me too.

One key factor in my decision was the flexible scheduling. The program offered sessions that fit perfectly into my work schedule. Being able to take the course on Fridays allowed me to balance my professional responsibilities while fully immersing myself in the learning. I knew it was the right decision, and I felt confident this was the path that would allow me to build the skills I needed.

Hands-On Learning That Built My Confidence

When I started the Voltage Control certification, I’ll admit I was nervous. I saw people in the program whose job titles were “facilitator,” and I wasn’t sure I fit in. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that facilitation isn’t just a job title—it’s a skill set that anyone can develop and use, no matter their role. This realization was empowering. I quickly learned that facilitation is more about guiding a process and creating space for others than about holding a specific job title.

The experiential learning approach of the program made everything click for me. I wasn’t just learning concepts; I was actively practicing them. One of the exercises that really stood out to me was Troika Consulting. It showed me how simple yet effective facilitation techniques can help solve real problems. I remember thinking, “This isn’t complicated, but it works.” I could immediately see how it applied to my work, especially in situations where I needed to gather input from multiple perspectives.

Another highlight was connecting with people from all over the world. During breakout sessions, I met others who were just like me—new to facilitation but eager to bring these skills into their work. There was a shared energy, a sense that we were all on this learning journey together. Those connections and conversations helped me build confidence and see the wide range of applications for what we were learning.

Transforming Ineffective Meetings Into Energizing Collaborations

Since completing the Voltage Control certification, facilitation has completely transformed how I approach my work. One of the most significant shifts is how I now handle meetings and collaborative sessions. Before, many meetings felt like time wasted—people talking over each other, the loudest voices dominating, and very little getting accomplished. Now, I use facilitation techniques that ensure every voice is heard, leading to more productive, structured conversations.

A recent example was a workshop I facilitated for our organization as we prepared for a major project: tearing down a building and constructing a new 33-story tower. In the past, discussions like these were unproductive, with ideas scattered and no clear direction. This time, I proposed a four-hour workshop where we broke down the key themes and challenges, involving the right people from different departments. It was the first time we truly harnessed collective insights, rather than relying on the same few voices. By the end of the session, we didn’t have all the answers, but we had a clear roadmap to establish workgroups to tackle the major themes. It energized the team and gave us a structure to move forward.

I also started incorporating small facilitation techniques in various settings at work. I introduced energizers, structured check-ins, and even tools like affinity mapping, which made discussions more engaging and inclusive. The transformation was palpable—meetings became spaces where people were eager to contribute, and we walked away with clear actions.

Using Facilitation to Break Down Silos and Shape Our Culture

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue integrating facilitation into my work on a larger scale. Our CEO has already asked me to take on more facilitation roles, and I see countless opportunities to apply these skills across different departments. One of my main goals is to break down the silos within our organization by bringing people together in meaningful, collaborative ways. We have teams that don’t always communicate effectively, and I believe facilitation can bridge those gaps, creating more aligned and productive working relationships.

I also plan to introduce facilitation into our HR programs. By involving the voices of employees from all levels, we can shape initiatives that truly reflect the needs of our workforce. Facilitation offers a way to not only gather those insights but to create a sense of ownership and engagement among our staff. I see facilitation as a key to strengthening our organizational culture and improving how we work together. The potential for impact is huge, and I’m eager to be part of that transformation.

If you’re considering a certification in facilitation but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit, I’d encourage you to take the leap. You don’t have to be a facilitator by title to benefit from these skills. Whether you’re looking to enhance team collaboration, make meetings more productive, or simply bring more structure to your work, facilitation can make all the difference. Voltage Control’s certification program was a game-changer for me, and it could be for you too.

The post From Curiosity to Leadership appeared first on Voltage Control.