Facilitation blends preparation with adaptability, requiring a clear sense of purpose and the ability to respond to participants' needs. This blog explores key elements of effective facilitation, including the power of asking purposeful questions, balancing structured agendas with flexibility, and designing workshops for meaningful outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of staying grounded in purpose while adapting to the dynamic environment of group discussions. Learn how to refine your facilitation practice to create more engaging and transformative experiences for your participants.
Facilitation
Facilitation skills, methods, and practices to run effective and productive meetings & events, both in-person & virtual.
In professional development, the principles of practice and feedback are vital. Much like athletes and musicians refine their skills through rehearsal and critique, professionals must engage in deliberate practice and seek feedback to master their craft. This blog post explores these elements, providing insights and strategies to foster growth and success in the workplace. Facilitators, in particular, need ongoing practice and feedback to enhance their skills. Structured practice opportunities and feedback loops help identify strengths and areas for improvement. Embracing a growth mindset is essential, as it encourages seeking feedback and viewing challenges as learning opportunities. In professional settings, practice often gets neglected, overshadowed by the expectation to perform flawlessly. To foster growth, professionals need environments where they can safely practice and receive feedback, similar to athletes rehearsing before a performance.
Struggling to regain attention after breakout sessions? In this blog post, discover effective techniques from both professional facilitators and kindergarten teachers. Learn why managing attention transitions is essential for productive workshops and explore methods such as hand signals, sound cues, and call-and-response phrases. Incorporate visual signals, countdowns, interactive engagement, and movement-based techniques to maintain focus. Draw inspiration from kindergarten techniques like songs, rhymes, and “magic words.” Choose the right method for your style, introduce it early, and ensure consistency. Enhance your facilitation skills and keep your sessions running smoothly with these practical strategies.
Facilitators play a crucial yet often unseen role in team dynamics. This blog post explores the vital impact facilitators have on team health, productivity, and growth. Comparing the effect of a facilitator to the temperature of a room, it highlights the balance facilitators must strike between guiding discussions and remaining unobtrusive. The post references Priya Parker's views on hosting and emphasizes "invisible involvement" in facilitation. Insights from Voltage Control alumni underscore the long-term benefits of skilled facilitation in fostering innovation and empathy. Learn practical techniques to refine your facilitation skills and create environments where ideas flourish.
A fresh perspective on facilitation in today's evolving corporate landscape. Emphasizing the need to move beyond 'reading the room', it advocates for a holistic understanding of systems thinking in facilitation. The article highlights the shift from traditional, physical meetings to diverse, often virtual environments. It discusses the interconnectedness within organizations, the impact of cultural awareness, conflict resolution, and the strategic use of data, all crucial for achieving effective facilitation outcomes in both virtual and hybrid settings.
Explore key insights from Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" for facilitators and leaders. This bestseller from the music industry icon merges discipline with creativity, providing valuable lessons for corporate innovation. Learn Rubin's approach to the creative process, the importance of embracing constraints, and the power of collaboration. Inspired by his extensive music career, Rubin's methods apply to various fields, enhancing problem-solving and innovative thinking. This summary shows how Rubin's ideas can rejuvenate facilitation and spark innovation in today's professional environments.
Our "How to Facilitate a Workshop" guide outlines key differences between workshops and regular meetings, highlighting the vital role of facilitators. It presents a structured approach including defining objectives, setting expectations, and preparing flexible plans. The guide offers techniques for engaging diverse learning styles and effective post-workshop strategies. Packed with tips, videos, and expert insights, it's a valuable resource for both novice and experienced facilitators, aiming to make workshops productive and aligned with team and organizational goals.
Leadership is multifaceted and the lines often blur between roles, responsibilities, and core competencies. It’s a dynamic blend of vision, communication, and influence. Similar to the word strategy, it’s used more frequently than it is understood. But what if we were to reimagine leadership? In a recent conversation between Brene Brown and Adam Grant, the definition of facilitation became the focus of such a reimagination when Adam asked Brene: if the word ‘leadership’ didn’t exist, what would it be replaced with?
Our how-to guide for aspiring design thinking facilitators
Are you a leader, consultant, or trainer looking to improve your facilitation skills and create meaningful change? Our Facilitation Certification Program is designed to provide you with the practical tools and techniques to excel in your career, starting with our Portfolio Starter Template. In this post, we'll explain how this template sets the stage for your journey in our comprehensive, portfolio-based certification program.